BoxRec

Who wins this one at lightweight? I'm going for Leonard UD 15

I'd take Benny Leonard in a close hard fought decision.

The great Roberto Duran wins the trilogy.

I'm goin' with Duran. Roberto was smart enough and fast enough to catch up to The Wizzard, and I expect he'd land the harder punches.

Ettt9350 wrote:Who wins this one at lightweight? I'm going for Leonard UD 15

Based purely on the level of competition of LIGHTWEIGHTS Leonard and Duran fought and
beat, Benny Leonard had the greatest array of lightweights he dominated for SEVEN years
so I have Benny Leonard as the greater lightweight ever, with the possible exception of
Joe Gans...Benny Leonard was considered as great a lightweight as Ray Robinson was as
a welterweight by those who saw them both...

That's not to say that he would win over Duran, though. I wouldn't like to offer an opinion on this one, but I'm put in mind of the fact that Duran was able to put the hurt on an ATG Welter in Leonard. I guess a lot depends on how much of Leonard II was about Leonards change of tactics, and how much about Duran's training. If we believe it was all down to SRL, then Benny is liable to give him fits too.

Ray Arcel, who knew and trained both, picked Leonard in this hypothetical match-up. Good enough for me.

Leonard is one of the very few lightweights I think could hang with Duran.

Duran couldn't feast on master boxers.
Leonard was one.

An in-shaped, focused Duran would be no easy fight for any 135-pounder, but the ultra-slick Leonard would eke out a unanimous decision.
It would make Duran despise the name "Leonard" even more.

elmersalsa wrote:The great Roberto Duran wins the trilogy.

I'd love to see a trilogy between these to. It's one of those pairings that you could honestly say would have three very different fights in it.

raylawpc wrote:Ray Arcel, who knew and trained both, picked Leonard in this hypothetical match-up.

Evidence?

This is a tough one for me, as I can see both winning.

I've always thought of Duran as the greatest Lightweight, but that's probably due to my age & the fact that I've probably been conditioned to think that.

Leonard (Benny) -v- Duran would be a hypothetical for the ages.

I also place duran as the best lightweight ever - but the great BL would frustrate those stoney hands and might well get his own raised at the final bell

Crease wrote:

raylawpc wrote:Ray Arcel, who knew and trained both, picked Leonard in this hypothetical match-up.

Evidence?

Why would Arcel need evidence? His eyes, brains and memories, I guess.

this

duran was the greater puncher and benny leonard could be hit. duran would be to strong.
for leonard. it would be like the Buchanan - duran fight.