BoxRec

Nigel Benn...I am a Duran fan, but at 160 pounds, it would have been too much. He was also way past his prime when he beat Iran Barkley...To me, it was a MIRACLE!!!

That UNBELIEVABLE WIN over Barkley puts Duran in the list of the best 5 pound per pound, but a fight with Benn would have been probably a last hurrah. Benn by KO in 7.

Benn puts the hurting on him especially since Mclellan hit him with everything to put him out.

Benn on points.

Duran on points. Too cagey for a 1989 Benn

I agree that Duran's win over Barkley was miracle and I don't think, at 38, he would have been able to repeat it against a much younger Benn. Duran had an incredibly difficult time keeping the weight off and he looked like he was in quicksand when he fought SRL later in 1989. The Duran of, say, 1984, would have pounded the Benn of 1989. Five years later, I would go with Benn by decision.

The Benn of '89 was still very raw and a good few years from his very best and while Duran was 38 and passed his best he was still clever enough to pull off a win over the '89 version of Benn.

If Duran makes it through the first 4 rds I think he wins. Benn was still pretty green at this pt, and I think Duran was wily enough to pull it off via a close decision.