Roberto Duran

Ayala hadn't really fought anyone when his people started throwing around Durans name. It was just to get publicity for their untested but popular prospect. Ayala was by no means ready for Duran. Maybe in a couple years Ayala-Duran would be a big fight but even Mike Ayala knew his son needed alot more experiance before he'd be ready for Duran.

I think Duran would've beaten Ayala. Needless to say, he'd have to be on his game, as Duran around this time wasn't all that consistent. I think it was the loss to Laing that messed up this possible matchup, but I'm not sure.

Duran was not scared of anybody, he would have knocked out Ayala if Ayala stayed out of trouble.

Duran wasn't scared of anyone

I really doubt Duran was scared of Ayala, I think Duran would've fought him had Ayala not went to jail.

Around 1981 and 1982 Duran seemed a bit more vulnerable. He lost to Benitez and i Kirkland Laing(sp?) and he lost a bit of that fury. Ayala was more of a brawler than stylist, the guys that give Duran problems are stylists as SRL and Benitez. I think the Hearns fight was crazy as he needed more recovery time after banging blows with hagler after 15RDS and also coming down in weight. Duran normally wouldnt have problems with a guy like Ayala since they are almost same height and reach but i think at 154 around 1982 he could have lost to Ayala, but by 1983 he seemed to adapt to the weight quit well. He beat Cuevas and Moore at Jr MW, also people forget he came in very low at the hagler fight; maybe like 156 and still took Hagler the distance, Duran was the only contender to take hagler 15 Rds during Haglers 12 defenses. So i think by 1983 DUran would have beat Ayala but not in late 1981 or 1982.

Do you give Ayala a good chance with that version of Duran? IMO he was still a prospect... so it is hard to say how good he really was... I know you didn't ask me but I don't think he had a good chance... even though Duran was not at his best, and lost a step, but even that version of Duran was better than anybody Ayala faced. I don't think Ayala had that much of a chance...

Considering the fact that around this time a fight was discussed and a year or two after it, that Duran fought Wilfred Benitez, Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns, I find it hard to believe that Duran would be scared of Tony Ayala. Do you give Ayala a good chance with that version of Duran?

Considering the fact that around this time a fight was discussed and a year or two after it, that Duran fought Wilfred Benitez, Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns, I find it hard to believe that Duran would be scared of Tony Ayala.