BoxRec

who wins this all time great lightweight match

At lightweight, I like Duran by hardfought decision. While Armstrong threw a lot of punches, and had excellent stamina, I just can't see the same fighter that lost to Lou Ambers twice beating Duran. Duran was just too strong at lightweight, even for Armstrong. Armstrong didn't face many murderous punchers at lightweight.

However, and I know this wasn't the question, I think Armstrong decisions Duran at welterweight. The same stamina and punching technique of Henry is I believe more effective at 147 where the bigger fighters have less stamina to withstand that attack and would succumb over the distance. Even on the night that Duran beat Leonard, I think Armstrong would have eked out a decision.

As much as I love Armstrong, I think Duran was virtually unbeatable at lightweight. Duran takes a hard fought, gritty, foul infested inside slugfest by a close unanimous decision.

Yes I go along with this one.

At Lightwight Duran was in a league of his own. He would have been just that bit too slick for Armstrong.

However at Welterweight we have a different scenario Armstrong was IMO a natural Welter and is one of the Al-time greats at this weight. He would have dominate the fight right through to a UD.

I like Duran to beat Armstrong at 135, but Armstrong to beat Duran at 147.

-KOKid-

I don't think Armstrong was a natural Welter. Natural Welters were never Lightweight or Feather Champs. Duran wasn't a natural Welter, nor was Pernell Whitaker or Chavez.....The real Welters were Griffith, Rodriguez, Robinson, Hearns, Leonard, Curry, Terry Norris etc etc.....Armstrong was about 5 ft 7 at most. Robinson was close to 6 ft as was Ray Leonard....So to say he'd have beat Duran at Welter, no way....The Duran that dethroned Leonard in Montreal would be too good for most Welters in History, natural included. At Lightweight Henry would stand a better chance, but I think Duran was just better equipped amd more polished in most areas. He had a better defense and could slug it out with Armstrong if needed...

I just can't see the same fighter that lost to Lou Ambers twice beating Duran

Ambers actually beat Armstrong only once, and that was because the Ref kept taking rounds away from him for borderline punches. Armstrong's prime was only four years, but the were probably the greatest four years any fighter had ever had. He crammed over 60 fights into those years and defeated 8 hall of famers from 3 different weight classes. I doubt Duran would have had that kind of success fighting at that level and pace.
However, that is not reason enough to believe Armstrong beats Duran head to head. I just think Armstong would have out worked him and kept him off balance with that non stop left hook, which even at his best, was the punch that gave Duran the most problems. I say Armstong wins a close decision, even at lightweight.

Sherlock wrote:As much as I love Armstrong, I think Duran was virtually unbeatable at lightweight. Duran takes a hard fought, gritty, foul infested inside slugfest by a close unanimous decision.

I think Duran would win,possibly by cuts(maybe inflicted by headbutts,laces,elbows)from what I think,Armstrong was somewhat tender-skinned,at least compared to Duran.If Duran could stay motivated,I don't see any reason why that he couldn't accomplish the same whirlwind schedule that Armstrong did.And Duran didn't take as much punishment as Armstrong,he was a much better defensive fighter.And during what would surely be a fast paced,hard fought battle,I think that Duran would wear on Armstrong,battering him,bruising his eyes,and cheekbones in the later rounds,and possibly stop him by t.k.o.,and I envision this at any weight between these two.A motivated Duran was a vicious fighter.Also while I don't think Duran would really hurt him as far as pure power(because Armstrong was so durable),Duran would definitely be able to take Armstrong's best shots.Duran would hurt him t by the cutting and bruising,as opposed to pure power.This is just my thoughts.
zuru

I think Armstrong outworks Duran and beats him on volume of punches. Probably no way would Armstrong stop Duran and no way would Duran stop Armstong, but in their primes Armstrong would have been all over Duran just like he was when fighting top quality bigger fighters throughout his career...Armstrong just had too much offense at his very best in my opinion and it would have taken someone slick like a Pernell Whitaker, Joe Gans, or Benny Leonard to beat Armstrong and Duran just wasn't that kind of fighter!

theone wrote:I just can't see the same fighter that lost to Lou Ambers twice beating Duran

Ambers actually beat Armstrong only once, and that was because the Ref kept taking rounds away from him for borderline punches. Armstrong's prime was only four years, but the were probably the greatest four years any fighter had ever had. He crammed over 60 fights into those years and defeated 8 hall of famers from 3 different weight classes. I doubt Duran would have had that kind of success fighting at that level and pace.
However, that is not reason enough to believe Armstrong beats Duran head to head. I just think Armstong would have out worked him and kept him off balance with that non stop left hook, which even at his best, was the punch that gave Duran the most problems. I say Armstong wins a close decision, even at lightweight.

Oops. You're right, they fought twice but Armstrong went 1-1. Armstrong lost 4 rounds to fouls in the fight he did win, which is probably why I thought he lost.

The reason I like Duran at 135 is that even with nonstop punching by Armstrong, Duran's power at lightweight was too much for even Henry Armstrong to handle. That power would slow down Armstrong. Although DeJesus knocked down Duran with those left hooks, Armstrong is not the same powerful one-punch fighter DeJesus was. Armstrong's knockouts came from gradual punishment and attrition in the ring from his high activity level.

Although DeJesus knocked down Duran with those left hooks, Armstrong is not the same powerful one-punch fighter DeJesus was
I disagree with this statement. Dejesus was a good puncher but far from a murderous puncher.

Armstrong's knockouts came from gradual punishment and attrition in the ring from his high activity level.

This is true but only when he started fighting welterweights and over. As a feather and lightweight he was an outstanding puncher who put away alot of quality oppisition with ease.