I only ask this question because when ever I see alltime p4p lists leonard is always rated higher even when boxing analysis talk about these two fighters they almost always rate leonard higher. I mean duran started out at feather weight and beat leonard at his best weight. It seems like they give more credit to leonard in winning the second fight, In which I thought leonard kinda used dirty tactics. As far as accomplishments he should be rated much higher than leonard even the there both alltime greats. Even though he was knocked out at middel weight by thomas hearns he won a suppermiddle weight against iran barkley who knocked out thomas hearns in there first fight. As far as accomplaments you could say he the p4p best fighter ever. Alot of people say sugar ray robinson is p4p number one but I think duran fought better competition through out his career, And I just think leonard was a little overrated.
Side Note:
To Boxing fans in general (and Duran fans in particular), sports journalist Christian Gaudice's book pictured below is highly recommended reading for an inside look at one of Boxing's most fascinating characters.
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51i0Qu4ba0L._AA240_.jpg
Haha, but I like the ones you have drawn for me better. Duran just generally does seem like he has the better resume, and most people agree that their first fight was the most important one. Leonard said the second fight wasn't that big of a deal, and pretty much no one says that their third fight meant anything.
The third one is virtually non existent, when do you ever see shows like hbo and such talk about the third one, it is pretty funny to me actually.
Mutual Admiration Society:
Love your avatar Panamaniac! :D
PoetThanks. I chose it to showcase the Cholo's snarling-beast demeanor... Your avatar's pretty cool too; the Brown Bomber's one of my all-time faves.
wrong, I love when you guys try and justify your crap. please list durans accomplishments as compared to leonards. and before you answer go back and read pages 10-13 of this thread.Page numbers vary by individual user settings. For accuracy, cite by post numbers, which are invariable. :)
Your first argument bugs me. Did Ray Leonard voluntarily fight the wrong fight? No. That's stupid. Duran rang his bell early in round two. So it only makes sense that Ray had no choice but to fight Duran's fight because he had trouble keeping up with the older man and only when Roberto slowed down (he was getting up there in age and the extra weight was slowing him down) was leonard able to get back into the fight and win some close rounds.
For the rematch, Duran wasn't in fighting shape and is confirmed by Randy Gordon so I give Ray as much credit for winning that fight as Lennox lewis for beating Oliver McCall due to a nervous breakdown in the ring. For any of the leonard fans who are dissatisfied with the results of the rematch because of Duran's walking away, i say to them the rematch didn't have to wait nine years.
Theres a difference between voluntarily fighting the wrong fight, and choosing to fight instead of box, which i believe Leonard did.
As for comparing Leonard-Duran 2 and Lewis-McCall 2, i strongly disagree.
But u have made me want to watch all these fights again, so thank u for that.
Leonard was special...but what Duran did to Leonard the first time...Barkley and Moore. Were simply special. Out of this world. He is a lock for the best lightweight of all time, IMO. Top 5 fighter.
Yea, but Leonard clearly chose to fight Durans fight in their first match. All credit to Duran, but Leonard showed what he could do in the rematch (eventhough Duran quit).
The Moore fight was just Duran on form beating up a very inexperienced young fighter. It doesnt compare to Leonard beating Hearns or Benitez. IMO.
But, Duran was a fuckin badass at Lightweight. When he fought Leonard he was 71-1. Thats impressive.
By the time he finally retired he was 103 (70 KO) and only 16 loses. All but one coming after his prime at much higher weights.
It comes down to utter domination at one division, and several big wins at higher weights. = Duran
Versus a handleful of big big victories over ATGs. = Leonard.
Some would say that Leonards greatest victories were all questionable;
He was beaten by former lightweight Duran, then Duran quit in the rematch.
He was soundly outboxed both times by Hearns, but won the first because Hearns was tired.
He only fought Hagler when Hagler was old and slow.
Not that i believe any of that shit!
Duran was a top 3 lightweight of all time.
And had major success fighting bigger men way above his weight after his prime.
Personally im a huge Duran fan, but Leonards achievements were very special.
I only ask this question because when ever I see alltime p4p lists leonard is always rated higher even when boxing analysis talk about these two fighters they almost always rate leonard higher. I mean duran started out at feather weight and beat leonard at his best weight. It seems like they give more credit to leonard in winning the second fight, In which I thought leonard kinda used dirty tactics. As far as accomplishments he should be rated much higher than leonard even the there both alltime greats. Even though he was knocked out at middel weight by thomas hearns he won a suppermiddle weight against iran barkley who knocked out thomas hearns in there first fight. As far as accomplaments you could say he the p4p best fighter ever. Alot of people say sugar ray robinson is p4p number one but I think duran fought better competition through out his career, And I just think leonard was a little overrated.
Leonard=smarter,Faster,better technically.
Duran=More heart,power,warriors mentality.
overall i like duran better- he came to fight always!!!
I've never heard a fighter say another fighter is better than him. Only once have I heard a fighter say that they lost a fight (at least one that wasn't a shutout) and that was Glen Johnson in the 2nd Tarver fight. Don't be so sure that Leonard would say that, even if he believes it so. However, the fact that he said the 2nd Hearns fight was not a draw gives more credence to your argument, so I don't know.I am not sure. I was merely giving Leonard the benefit of the doubt; that he was secure enough in his own place in boxing lore to give Duran his just due.
I don't know for a fact that Leonard said that, although it's conceivable. He did say, however, that Duran was his toughest oponent ever. I merely speculate that given Leonard's objectivity, he would not let ego impair is judgement.
I've never heard a fighter say another fighter is better than him. Only once have I heard a fighter say that they lost a fight (at least one that wasn't a shutout) and that was Glen Johnson in the 2nd Tarver fight. Don't be so sure that Leonard would say that, even if he believes it so. However, the fact that he said the 2nd Hearns fight was not a draw gives more credence to your argument, so I don't know.
I can't believe you counted all of that. I guess it's cool since he is your favorite.
Anyways, did Leonard actually say that, or is that just your speculation?I don't know for a fact that Leonard said that, although it's conceivable. He did say, however, that Duran was his toughest oponent ever. I merely speculate that given Leonard's objectivity, he would not let ego impair is judgement.
Since the the thread-starter did not post a poll, here's the breakdown by the numbers:
Posts - 117
Posters - 38
For Duran - 26
For Leonard - 8
Inconclusive - 4Conclusion: It is the opininon of most (68.42%) forumers on this thread that Roberto Duran is better than Sugar Ray Leonard.
Personal note: If you asked Leonard himself, he would say that Duran should rank above him on the list of (p4p) all time greats.
Yes that is true, but the fact remains that Leonard DID beat Duran. And Duran should be ranked higher than Leonard, but it doesn't mean he beats him. ATG ranking is based on accomplishments, and Duran had more accomplishments than Leonard, but he couldn't beat him. So in conclusion, Duran is greater, Leonard is better.
Since the the thread-starter did not post a poll, here's the breakdown by the numbers:
Posts - 117
Posters - 38
For Duran - 26
For Leonard - 8
Inconclusive - 4Conclusion: It is the opininon of most (68.42%) forumers on this thread that Roberto Duran is better than Sugar Ray Leonard.
Personal note: If you asked Leonard, he would say that Duran should rank above himself on the list of (p4p) all time greats.
I can't believe you counted all of that. I guess it's cool since he is your favorite.
Anyways, did Leonard actually say that, or is that just your speculation?
Thread "Box Score" (as of 8-21-07)
Since the the thread-starter did not post a poll, here's the breakdown by the numbers:
Posts - 117
Posters - 38
For Duran - 26
For Leonard - 8
Inconclusive - 4Conclusion: It is the opininon of most (68.42%) forumers on this thread that Roberto Duran is better than Sugar Ray Leonard.
Personal note: If you asked Leonard himself, he would say that Duran should rank above him on the list of (p4p) all time greats.
that's why he quit in the rematch like a little bitch:ugh: better then leonard:nonono: how did duran do against hearns and hagler:owned:
It is really strange to say this... but it is almost like Duran had an excellent career, with a ton of wins, a lot of really good wins, but not very many wins against elite fighters. I mean, the 4 big names from that era were Duran, Hearns, Hagler and Leonard.
Leonard, on the other hand, had a short career, but ended up with a stellar record over elite fighters.
Duran was 1-4 (1 win over Leonard, 2 losses to Leonard, 1 loss to Hearns and 1 loss to Hagler)
Hearns was 1-2-1 (1 win over Duran, a loss to Leonard, a loss to Hagler and draw with Leonard)
Hagler was 2-1 (1 win over Duran, 1 win over Hearns and a loss to Leonard)
Leonard was 4-1-1 (2 wins over Duran, 1 win over Hagler, 1 win over Hearns and a draw with Hearns)
I haven't dove head first into both of their careers at length... but it is true that big name fights do carve legacies quite a bit. Anyways, no one take this me taking sides, this is actually just observation. I don't know who is better, because I haven't studied this shit at length.
The issue has been settled. Most boxing historians, writers, publications, broadcasters, fans, and reasonable observers everywhere rate Duran higher among the p4p all-time greatest fighters. All the childish bickering and insult-trading on this thread ain't gonna change that. If the thread-starter had posted a poll, Duran would be way ahead on that too. So let's all get a life and go back to what we were doing, 'cause the jury is in, folks: Duran's better that Leonard! Hands (of stone) down...
It was the afro power that made Duran quit in the second fight. If he had that haircut the first time around oooh Duran would be for some trouble so he would.
stop lying duran did not defend a title outside of lightweight. and you talk about a 6 year reign hagler reigned for 7 years b-hops for close to 10 are you saying duran is better then leonard because of his run of bums at 135.:nonono:
I never said Duran defended a title outside of lightweight. You sure like to put words in other people's mouths. I said some guys win titles in multiple weight classes, despite not having the title for a short time. Others have long reigns in one weight class. Duran did both.
And Duran's opponents at 135 were not bums.
are you saying leoanrd did not beat better fighters in more impressive fashion.
No, Leonard had the edge in common opponents, obviously.
nuthugging is stating duran is better then leonard, yeah you make statements like that you gotta get torn apart. they weren't even comparable:ugh:
No, nuthugging is saying that Leonard is clearly greater than Duran without argument.