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Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 28 Apr 2022, 13:16
by Controversial
https://www.ringtv.com/462377-best-faced-roberto-duran/
BEST SKILLS
Ken Buchanan: Buchanan was one of the great lightweights when it came to tactics and skill. His intelligence made him very difficult to beat even though he wasn’t a very strong opponent. Sugar Ray Leonard was faster and stronger but Buchanan had tremendous skills.
BEST JAB
Buchanan: He was tall, boxed well and his lateral movement was extremely good. Buchanan’s jab was difficult to deal with because he threw it on the move.
BEST DEFENSE
Buchanan: He was hard to hit cleanly. I was very young, lacked experience, and Buchanan had been world champion for a long time. A lot of people will expect me to say Wilfred Benitez or Leonard when it comes to defense but I wasn’t prepared properly for Benitez or the Leonard rematch. Davey Moore, who I beat easily, knocked Benitez out so there’s no comparison there. I was coming into my prime against Buchanan and he made me miss often.
BEST CHIN
Marvelous Marvin Hagler: I hit Hagler with a lot of punches and he just kept coming. I didn’t find him as skillful as some of the opponents I faced but he was the toughest.
BEST PUNCHER
Esteban De Jesus: De Jesus was the first opponent to knock me down and he had me down again in the second fight. When I lost to Thomas Hearns I was drained from losing weight too quickly, and that had a bad effect on me. Hearns got me with a great punch but I could have performed far better in a rematch. Marvin Hagler, who is a good friend of mine, told Hearns the only reason he knocked me out is because I wasn’t at my best.
FASTEST HANDS
Sugar Ray Leonard: He was the fastest fighter I ever fought but in the first fight I saw everything that was coming at me.
FASTEST FEET
Buchanan: At lightweight the opponents were much swifter on their feet and, back then, we were boxing in 15-round fights. Buchanan always kept on the move but I caught up with him eventually. That victory means a lot to me.
SMARTEST
Leonard: It’s hard to give you one name but Leonard stands out because he made adjustments during fights.
STRONGEST
Hagler: It was an extremely close fight but he got me tired late. Even though I built myself up to middleweight, Hagler was much bigger and used his strength on the inside. After making weight, a fighter rehydrates and there was a big difference there. Still, even when I was tired, Hagler couldn’t get me down. There was no way I was going to get the decision but some fans and reporters thought I’d done enough. Hagler had big American fights pending with Leonard and Hearns so there was a lot of money at stake.
BEST OVERALL
Leonard: I have to say Sugar Ray Leonard because look at what he did in his career after he lost to me. It takes a lot to come back from defeat and Leonard did it.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 28 Apr 2022, 13:18
by Controversial
A lot of love for Buchanan
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 28 Apr 2022, 18:12
by elmersalsa
I love Ken Buchanan. He was a hell of a fighter. A very talented and special fighter in my view. One of the top 20 all-time greatest lightweights ever.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 28 Apr 2022, 19:08
by Wee Tommy
elmersalsa wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 18:12
I love Ken Buchanan. He was a hell of a fighter. A very talented and special fighter in my view. One of the top 20 all-time greatest lightweights ever.
I could have swore you wrote his responses yourself till I read the article.
Most people see Duran as having destroyed Buchanan but although he was well in front, Kenny made it very difficult for him.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 29 Apr 2022, 00:40
by bennie
He was never keen on giving Buchanan a rematch.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 30 Apr 2022, 03:12
by locoxelbox
He didn´t give much recognition to the Hitman...
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 30 Apr 2022, 03:59
by DrDuke
Too biased words from Duran. The easier he defeated or fought against somebody, the better opinion he shares about that fighter. Obviously, Leonard was a harder matchup for him than Buchanan in terms skills and defence, even in the first bout. De Jesus can't be the hardest puncher for him, since he only dropped him, while Hearns knocked him out cold. Well, a lot of fighters talk this way, giving less credit to their conquerors.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 30 Apr 2022, 04:20
by Counter-puncher
Wee Tommy wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 19:08
elmersalsa wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 18:12
I love Ken Buchanan. He was a hell of a fighter. A very talented and special fighter in my view. One of the top 20 all-time greatest lightweights ever.
I could have swore you wrote his responses yourself till I read the article.
Most people see Duran as having destroyed Buchanan but although he was well in front,
Kenny made it very difficult for him.
i rewatched this last night, for the first time in maybe a decade, and I have to say my memory of Ken just being mostly overwhelmed was quite a long way off.
even in periods where he was taking heavy fire from Duran he was throwing and landing back (albeit often with one or two shots to answer 4 or 5), and in between those periods, when he was able to get his rythm with the jab-and-move, he was having a reasonable amount of success. his problem seemed to be that he could land his best shot and Duran would instantly hit him back with several, EG a couple of times you'd see Buchanan work into close quarters and have some initial success on the inside, but then take twice as many shots in return
I don't agree that Duran giving Buchanan credit is just him refusing to give credit to others, at all. He ended up physically overwhelming Buchanan, but at the level of skills and technique, Buchanan was a great learning fight for him as he set him so many technical puzzles to solve, and throughout the fight, you can see exactly what Duran gave Buchanan credit for and why, that outstanding, flexible, versatile jab, constantly coming at him from different angles as Buchanan used his superb footwork.
put it this way- I don't think I ever saw anybody hit Duran with as many jabs as Ken did, I think it's absolutely the best jabbing display he had to face. I have no doubt he learned a huge amount from the experience , too.
I absolutely see why Duran says it was one of his toughest fights- you also notice significant periods where duran throwing the kitchen sink at Ken, means he then has to sit back and get boxed a bit, as his tank was temporarily running a bit empty.
once again watching this fight actually made me respect Buchanan even more. The chin and stamina, to hold up for round after round against that level of assault, from that level of pure superb physical talent, Buchanan was a superb fkin fighter.
He just wasn't Duran.
a great fight. think I'll binge me some Ken later tonight with a glass of wine and a few smokes
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 30 Apr 2022, 14:01
by The Docker
DrDuke wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 03:59
Too biased words from Duran. The easier he defeated or fought against somebody, the better opinion he shares about that fighter. Obviously, Leonard was a harder matchup for him than Buchanan in terms skills and defence, even in the first bout. De Jesus can't be the hardest puncher for him, since he only dropped him, while Hearns knocked him out cold. Well, a lot of fighters talk this way, giving less credit to their conquerors.
Yeah totally agree with this, it smacks of dishonesty. Shame a true great cant give his dues without a roundabout ulterior motive of advancing himself.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 01 May 2022, 07:27
by Wee Tommy
I bet he’d be gutted yous two don’t believe him
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 01 May 2022, 07:56
by Fray Bentos
clivelawrence wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 14:01
DrDuke wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 03:59
Too biased words from Duran. The easier he defeated or fought against somebody, the better opinion he shares about that fighter. Obviously, Leonard was a harder matchup for him than Buchanan in terms skills and defence, even in the first bout. De Jesus can't be the hardest puncher for him, since he only dropped him, while Hearns knocked him out cold. Well, a lot of fighters talk this way, giving less credit to their conquerors.
Yeah totally agree with this, it smacks of dishonesty. Shame a true great cant give his dues without a roundabout ulterior motive of advancing himself.
Except he did, he said Leonard was the best he ever faced!
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 04 May 2022, 15:13
by The Docker
Fray Bentos wrote: ↑01 May 2022, 07:56
clivelawrence wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 14:01
DrDuke wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 03:59
Too biased words from Duran. The easier he defeated or fought against somebody, the better opinion he shares about that fighter. Obviously, Leonard was a harder matchup for him than Buchanan in terms skills and defence, even in the first bout. De Jesus can't be the hardest puncher for him, since he only dropped him, while Hearns knocked him out cold. Well, a lot of fighters talk this way, giving less credit to their conquerors.
Yeah totally agree with this, it smacks of dishonesty. Shame a true great cant give his dues without a roundabout ulterior motive of advancing himself.
Except he did, he said Leonard was the best he ever faced!
Yes thank you for the reiteration and endorsement of the point we were putting across, much obliged.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 04 May 2022, 21:09
by The Balletic Bomber
Controversial wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 13:16
https://www.ringtv.com/462377-best-faced-roberto-duran/
BEST SKILLS
Ken Buchanan: Buchanan was one of the great lightweights when it came to tactics and skill. His intelligence made him very difficult to beat even though he wasn’t a very strong opponent. Sugar Ray Leonard was faster and stronger but Buchanan had tremendous skills.
BEST JAB
Buchanan: He was tall, boxed well and his lateral movement was extremely good. Buchanan’s jab was difficult to deal with because he threw it on the move.
BEST DEFENSE
Buchanan: He was hard to hit cleanly. I was very young, lacked experience, and Buchanan had been world champion for a long time. A lot of people will expect me to say Wilfred Benitez or Leonard when it comes to defense but I wasn’t prepared properly for Benitez or the Leonard rematch. Davey Moore, who I beat easily, knocked Benitez out so there’s no comparison there. I was coming into my prime against Buchanan and he made me miss often.
BEST CHIN
Marvelous Marvin Hagler: I hit Hagler with a lot of punches and he just kept coming. I didn’t find him as skillful as some of the opponents I faced but he was the toughest.
BEST PUNCHER
Esteban De Jesus: De Jesus was the first opponent to knock me down and he had me down again in the second fight. When I lost to Thomas Hearns I was drained from losing weight too quickly, and that had a bad effect on me. Hearns got me with a great punch but I could have performed far better in a rematch. Marvin Hagler, who is a good friend of mine, told Hearns the only reason he knocked me out is because I wasn’t at my best.
FASTEST HANDS
Sugar Ray Leonard: He was the fastest fighter I ever fought but in the first fight I saw everything that was coming at me.
FASTEST FEET
Buchanan: At lightweight the opponents were much swifter on their feet and, back then, we were boxing in 15-round fights. Buchanan always kept on the move but I caught up with him eventually. That victory means a lot to me.
SMARTEST
Leonard: It’s hard to give you one name but Leonard stands out because he made adjustments during fights.
STRONGEST
Hagler: It was an extremely close fight but he got me tired late. Even though I built myself up to middleweight, Hagler was much bigger and used his strength on the inside. After making weight, a fighter rehydrates and there was a big difference there. Still, even when I was tired, Hagler couldn’t get me down. There was no way I was going to get the decision but some fans and reporters thought I’d done enough. Hagler had big American fights pending with Leonard and Hearns so there was a lot of money at stake.
BEST OVERALL
Leonard: I have to say Sugar Ray Leonard because look at what he did in his career after he lost to me. It takes a lot to come back from defeat and Leonard did it.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 04 May 2022, 22:00
by The Balletic Bomber
Controversial wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 13:16
https://www.ringtv.com/462377-best-faced-roberto-duran/
BEST SKILLS
Ken Buchanan: Buchanan was one of the great lightweights when it came to tactics and skill. His intelligence made him very difficult to beat even though he wasn’t a very strong opponent. Sugar Ray Leonard was faster and stronger but Buchanan had tremendous skills.
BEST JAB
Buchanan: He was tall, boxed well and his lateral movement was extremely good. Buchanan’s jab was difficult to deal with because he threw it on the move.
BEST DEFENSE
Buchanan: He was hard to hit cleanly. I was very young, lacked experience, and Buchanan had been world champion for a long time. A lot of people will expect me to say Wilfred Benitez or Leonard when it comes to defense but I wasn’t prepared properly for Benitez or the Leonard rematch. Davey Moore, who I beat easily, knocked Benitez out so there’s no comparison there. I was coming into my prime against Buchanan and he made me miss often.
BEST CHIN
Marvelous Marvin Hagler: I hit Hagler with a lot of punches and he just kept coming. I didn’t find him as skillful as some of the opponents I faced but he was the toughest.
BEST PUNCHER
Esteban De Jesus: De Jesus was the first opponent to knock me down and he had me down again in the second fight. When I lost to Thomas Hearns I was drained from losing weight too quickly, and that had a bad effect on me. Hearns got me with a great punch but I could have performed far better in a rematch. Marvin Hagler, who is a good friend of mine, told Hearns the only reason he knocked me out is because I wasn’t at my best..
BEST OVERALL
Leonard: I have to say Sugar Ray Leonard because look at what he did in his career after he lost to me. It takes a lot to come back from defeat and Leonard did it.
Two things stand out about that article from Ring Magazine. One is how a fighter’s view of the best puncher he faced can be much different from what you might expect. There were also ‘best I faced’ articles in The Ring from Ray Leonard’s and Thomas Hearns’ perspectives. Leonard stated that Duran was the best puncher that he faced. Hearns said for him it was Leonard. I believe that we would all say Hearns hit harder than Duran did. I would say a powerful middleweight like Hagler hit Hearns harder than Leonard did( although Ray could punch). And surely Hearns hit Duran harder than Esteban Dejesus did.
My view is that boxers form these opinions based on the fighters who first hurt them or whose power first troubles them in their careers and that leaves a lasting impression. In Duran’s case, he was pretty woozy at that bout’s conclusion. He may not remember much about it. I have seen interviews where fighters who had been KOed had little to no memory of the fight. It could be that the fighter whose punches you remember causing you pain and distress might be someone who stands out more than the guy who knocks you clean out.
The second thing that I found interesting was the near reverence Duran had for Buchanan’s abilities. While it isn’t surprising that Duran respected the Scotsman, I was intrigued that he regarded him that highly. Particularly since he appeared to dominate the bout. I know that Buchanan, a classy, skillful boxer, was one of the UK’s best over the past 5 decades. But to see Duran appreciate the skills of a mobile boxer like Buchanan did surprise me. Aggressive fighters like El Cholo seem have greater regard for those who stand and slug with them. Anyway, it would have been nice to see how Buchanan might have in a rematch—Mark
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 04 May 2022, 22:06
by The Balletic Bomber
Might have done in a rematch- I meant to say
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 04 May 2022, 23:35
by Fray Bentos
clivelawrence wrote: ↑04 May 2022, 15:13
Fray Bentos wrote: ↑01 May 2022, 07:56
clivelawrence wrote: ↑30 Apr 2022, 14:01
Yeah totally agree with this, it smacks of dishonesty. Shame a true great cant give his dues without a roundabout ulterior motive of advancing himself.
Except he did, he said Leonard was the best he ever faced!
Yes thank you for the reiteration and endorsement of the point we were putting across, much obliged.
Except you didn't.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 05 May 2022, 16:12
by Ambling Alp II
He may have pumping up Buchanan to make him seem better than he was because it indirectly makes Duran himself look good.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 05 May 2022, 18:09
by Wee Tommy
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑05 May 2022, 16:12
He may have pumping up Buchanan to make him seem better than he was because it indirectly makes Duran himself look good.
Nah he just was a very highly skilled fighter and tough as nails.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 05 May 2022, 21:44
by elmersalsa
Ken Buchanan was a fantastic fighter. I don't see why the hate.
To win title belts at all levels of pro competition speaks volumes. He was Scotland, British Empire, European and World Lightweight Champion.
The guy achieved a lot in his boxing career.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 06 May 2022, 08:40
by bennie
Every fighter remembers the breakthrough fight with special affection. I was chatting to Earnie Shavers a few years ago and asked him for his best win. "Ellis," he said.
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 12 May 2022, 14:58
by Bodyshot3
Good to see Ken B getting his props from a great fighter
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 13 May 2022, 13:22
by elmersalsa
Bodyshot3 wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 14:58
Good to see Ken B getting his props from a great fighter
Ken Buchanan was a fantastic boxer. A great Lightweight. I don't understand the sentiment of some people in here in this forum that he was not a special fighter.
It takes a special fighter to win the Scottish, British Empire, European and World Lightweight championships.
Anybody that dismisses Buchanan as a great boxer gotta be delusional, a hater or doesn't know shiit about boxing. For real!
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 14 May 2022, 01:41
by The Balletic Bomber
elmersalsa wrote: ↑13 May 2022, 13:22
Bodyshot3 wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 14:58
Good to see Ken B getting his props from a great fighter
Ken Buchanan was a fantastic boxer. A great Lightweight. I don't understand the sentiment of some people in here in this forum that he was not a special fighter.
It takes a special fighter to win the Scottish, British Empire, European and World Lightweight championships.
Anybody that dismisses Buchanan as a great boxer gotta be delusional, a hater or doesn't know shiit about boxing. For real!
Elmersalsa, you’re a fireball when to it comes to Duran or Buchanan. Very passionate indeed!
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 14 May 2022, 16:38
by tiny_acres
The Balletic Bomber wrote: ↑14 May 2022, 01:41
elmersalsa wrote: ↑13 May 2022, 13:22
Bodyshot3 wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 14:58
Good to see Ken B getting his props from a great fighter
Ken Buchanan was a fantastic boxer. A great Lightweight. I don't understand the sentiment of some people in here in this forum that he was not a special fighter.
It takes a special fighter to win the Scottish, British Empire, European and World Lightweight championships.
Anybody that dismisses Buchanan as a great boxer gotta be delusional, a hater or doesn't know shiit about boxing. For real!
Elmersalsa, you’re a fireball when to it comes to Duran or Buchanan. Very passionate indeed!
Obviously Elmer's alias..... No one else ever agrees with him that much
Re: Best I faced: Roberto Duran
Posted: 14 May 2022, 16:56
by elmersalsa
The Balletic Bomber wrote: ↑14 May 2022, 01:41
elmersalsa wrote: ↑13 May 2022, 13:22
Bodyshot3 wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 14:58
Good to see Ken B getting his props from a great fighter
Ken Buchanan was a fantastic boxer. A great Lightweight. I don't understand the sentiment of some people in here in this forum that he was not a special fighter.
It takes a special fighter to win the Scottish, British Empire, European and World Lightweight championships.
Anybody that dismisses Buchanan as a great boxer gotta be delusional, a hater or doesn't know shiit about boxing. For real!
Elmersalsa, you’re a fireball when to it comes to Duran or Buchanan. Very passionate indeed!
You don't think that Ken Buchanan was not a great boxer? At least he was very good. He was a professional champion in all levels of competition. That speaks volumes.
