Antonio Margarito v Roberto Duran at 147

Definitely, the fans didn't get to see those great fights and McCallum would be regarding much higher now had he gotten those fights as well, they didn't want to fight him though, too much risk for what was perceived to be too little reward. Oh well, at least smart guys like us appreciate this side of the story. It really reminds me why I hate the whole risk/reward mentality in the modern sport, even though I understand the mindset. Great fighters need to check out the Great fighters of old, remember that the competitive mentality and ego is why they are remembered.

I think Duran beats Margarito by a wide desision, he could've brawled with him without taking too much shots in return.

Yeah, shame for the fans but SO much worse for McCallum. If he had gotten those fights he would not only get his recognition as the ATG JMW, but he probably would have had a crack at Hagler or Leonard down the road. Sad story, really. Definitely, the fans didn't get to see those great fights and McCallum would be regarding much higher now had he gotten those fights as well, they didn't want to fight him though, too much risk for what was perceived to be too little reward.

I rank McCallum as the best 154 pounder of all time and I also think he would have beaten Duran at 154, maybe not as destructively as Hearns did. Hearns vs McCallum would have been great too, the storyline was there to make it a big fight, I think McCallum could have beaten Hearns too, shame those fights never happened. Yeah, shame for the fans but SO much worse for McCallum. If he had gotten those fights he would not only get his recognition as the ATG JMW, but he probably would have had a crack at Hagler or Leonard down the road. Sad story, really.

My bad, JMW. He probably was one of the better JMWs of all time though. He constantly got the better of Hearns in the gym. He probably would have moped Duran at 154, although thats nothing against Duran as at that point he was past his best weights. I rank McCallum as the best 154 pounder of all time and I also think he would have beaten Duran at 154, maybe not as destructively as Hearns did. Hearns vs McCallum would have been great too, the storyline was there to make it a big fight, I think McCallum could have beaten Hearns too, shame those fights never happened.

McCallum was never a welterweight though, that would have definitely been a great fight at 154 had McCallum gotten his shot. My bad, JMW. He probably was one of the better JMWs of all time though. He constantly got the better of Hearns in the gym. He probably would have moped Duran at 154, although thats nothing against Duran as at that point he was past his best weights.

McCallum was never a welterweight though, that would have definitely been a great fight at 154 had McCallum gotten his shot.

I agree with both of you, but there are probably a few other BIG Welters throughout history that would have been too physical for him. Again, Mike McCallum comes to mind.

try all man, bar ray robinson and hearns although i feel at 147 duran would have fought much better vs tommy, but it still would have been bad stylistically and he would have lost most likely There are definitely a lot of welterweights that he would have beaten with his performances against Leonard and Palomino.

I like Margarito, I really do and I respect his skills. But this is a fact: Tony is not a GREAT WW fighter, he isnt and he probably never will be. Hes one of the best of a generation, but he doesnt beat any of the greats. Duran, Leonard, Hearns would all have smoked him. Same with Mike McCallum. Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley all probably beat him prime for prime, as well. The farther back you go the more Welters you can count that would have smoked him.

The Duran that beat Leonard would have beaten a lot of welterweights in history and that includes Margarito.

Anyone picking Margarito to win by KO is either blindly in love with Tony, or doesnt know Roberto Duran. Duran backs Tony up and beats him down. Duran UD.

Duran definately. Absolutely no question.

My two favorite fighters of all time, hard to choose but at 147 I say Margarito takes it home. Duran @ LW now that's a whole different story, best LW of all time hands down. Hard to say? Didn't you vote Margarito by KO? I think it would be a wide UD win for Duran. Fighting at welterweight against against any inside fighter, he just had way too many skills, especially for someone that comes straight forward, throws wide, looping punches and lacks any significant speed. Palomino was also an inside, pressure fighter but he had much better boxing skill than Margarito and was quite a bit quicker as well, and we saw the difficulty that he had trying to hit Duran and he ended up winning every single round with only the second knock-down of Palomino's great career. Margarito would not be able to find Duran well enough to do any damage and Duran would take anything Margarito did land on him quite easily. I don't think the punch volume by Margarito would come into play at all, because not only would he not land enough but throwing so many wide, missed shots would tire him much more than usual and Duran had just as much stamina anyway. Wide UD win for Duran.

The Duran who fought Palomino and Leonard beats Margarito.

wouldve never thought of this matchup. but i like Duran in this one. I like Durans mobility on the inside , constantly turning and finding openings with ease . Not an easy task against Marg. this would be like a grinding stone against grinding stone .

Duran made it a close fight with another high volume pressure/stalker Hagler. Duran only got legitimatly stopped twice in his entire career. Hearns (IMO hardest hitter P4P ever) and Joppy and the Joppy fight was when he was WAYYY past prime. He quit on his stool against Leonard because Leonard was giving him angles and fast movement. Duran beats Margarito at his own game Duran UD