Roberto Duran is the single most deceptively defensive fighter I ever saw. His defensive skills often went unnoticed as a result of his offensive prowess. He had an uncanny ability to block, slip and counter punches while in attack mode. Most fighters find it difficult to practice defense while on the offensive and often leave themselves open to counter-punches. Not Duran, he was the quintessential multitasker.
Most fighters at Duran's skill level of defense (e.g. Pernell Whitaker) are boring to watch because they can only deploy one skill (offense/defense) at a time. In fact I rate "Sweet Pea" second - and not equal to - the "Hands of Stone" because of his propensity for defense and counter-punching instead of taking the offensive initiative. Boring, very boring...
Below is an example of Duran's ability (at age 32) to elude opponent's punches while delivering his own:
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He dident retire after that fight though, he shamed himself in the very next fight. I always hear merchant talk about "Great fighters" dominate. Ray Leonard Knocked out both Wilfredo Benitez and Tommy Hearns, Duran got ko'd by Hearns and lost a decision to Benitez. If your logic is true, Where would Roy rank if he retired after beating Ruiz? I mean Roy dominated Toney and Beat hopkins convincingly. Won titles from Middle to Heavyweight, Is Duran winning a razor thin decision to Barkley, more impresive then Roy dominating Ruiz?
My thinking isnt a popular one, I go to lots of websites and almost everybody has Duran alltime ranked top 5. Durans biggest win was against Leonard in the first fight, and he dident dominate. Ray beat him in the return fight,Fact of the matter is Duran got his ass kicked the first time he fought Dejesus. People forget about that loss because he avenged it, but people give Duran loads of credit for beating Ray. Although Ray avenged that, and made Duran quit.
I also think he lost to Barkley.Which brings me full circle back to my thread-starter question: Why - despite your argument to the contrary - is Duran so highly regarded? WHY? WHY? WHY?!
Lets not forget to mention he beat and dropped Iran Barkley, a fighter that ko'd Thomas Hearns. And a fighter Hearns couldn't beat as Duran could.That's nothing... Duran beat Barkley, who beat Hearns, who beat Duran... Beat that!
...If you look at Duran's career from start to finish, it's just plain unbelievable.
I rank him #1 of all time p4p, and that's no joke.
I feel Duran is overrated by the way, not saying he isnt great, but some people have him P4P #1...Come on now, only one person (see above) rate him #1. By all other reasonable accounts, that hallowed spot belongs to Robinson.
This is not a pro-Duran argument, but a remarkable fact: Ali and Duran are the only modern-era (70's to present) fighters to make the elite all-time p4p top 10. What does that tell you?
watch his fights and you too will be a beliver. (man that chick in your avatar is fine, who is she)That "chick" is former first lady, senator, secretary of state and future President of the United States - Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Roberto Durán ranks high among boxing's elite primerily as a result of his 8-year reign of terror in the lightweight division. In his prime, he succesfully defended his title 12 consecutive times, 11 by KO. Culminated this streak with a title-unification KO victory over arch-rival (2-1 in 3 fights) Esteban de Jesus, the only man to have beaten him up to that point.
His career - which spanned 5 decades - took on legendary proportions when the perennial "Comeback Kid" went on to capture 3 more world titles way past his prime and against much bigger men. He became the first fighter ever to collect 4 world title belts.
Another reason Durán is so highly regarded is because he had all the tools of the trade. He was a complete fighting machine who could either box or slug it out with the best of 'em. As an infighter, he was a human wrecking ball who pulverized his opponents with left hooks to the ribcage. He was also a defensive wizard who was adept at blocking, deflecting and slipping punches at close range while often countering with his own.
Many cite the first fight against Leonard as his greatest victory ever, but I beg to differ. To me his greatest victory was when, on his 32nd. birthday, he annihilated Davey Moore in 8 rounds, thereby atoning for his fall from grace in New Orleans. (As a result of ref Ernesto Magaña's incompetence, or blood thirst, Davey Moore sustained such a severe beating that he was never the same after that. Were it not for Moore's corner who threw in the towel, Durán might have killed him right there in the ring.) But I digress...
Durán vs. Moore: Round 7
Durán vs. Moore: Rpond 8
Roberto Durán P4P ProfileThis is the most compelling argument for the "Hands of Stone" mystique. Duran's offensive prowess is no secret, but his defensive skills as exibited against Moore at age 32 is trully remarkable... Thanks for posting the video links.
I'm not entirely sure who is the best, but considering after about 30 votes, Henry Armstrong had 0 votes, I had to pitch that one in... he defended the welterweight title 19 fucking times
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:cop: Observation from the self-appointed "language police:" An exclamation point (!) at the end of your statement would've had the same effect as the explitive. Language need not be salty to be effective... :cool:
:offtopic:
Great Thread, Wrong Forum...
This is a fascinating topic, but it's out of place here. It belongs in the "Boxing Scene Lounge" forum in the "Non Boxing Talk" chapter.
In keeping with the spirit of the holidays...
..."these are a few of my favorite things."
Ali vs. Williams----------------------------------------------Foreman vs. Frazier I
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Duran vs. Moore--------------------------------------------Tyson vs. Berbick
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Was Roberto Duran really THAT great?
For a definative answer to that question, I propose the following test: On the given premise that Duran is in the upper echelon (top 10) of all time greats, if you can think of any boxer who fought during his prime or since, whom you would place in that category, he wasn't that great. If you can't, then he was.
Duran... Duran... Duran...
For a guy who has been retired for over six years, and hasn't had a significant fight since Iran Barkley (1989), Robeto Duran has sparked almost as much argument as Floyd Mayweather jr., who's still active.
What is it about this guy?
panamiac,,,I have a lot to do...I am not directing personal insults at you and your duran dick sucking persona...It's fascinating how you manage misspell the guy's username (it's Panamaniac), say you're not insulting him, while actually doing so, all in the same sentence...
wpink1: The greatest of men (from all walks of life) have their detractors, although these detractors are usually in the minute minority. So that in the grand scheme of things, your opinion of the latin legend is insignificant and of no consequence whatsoever.
The fact remains that Duran will continue to be regarded as one of the 10 greatest fighters in the history of boxing by the vast majority of intelligent life in the universe. You could lurk and troll on these forums with a zillion words from now 'til kingdom come, the legend of Roberto Duran is and forever will be etched in (hands of) stone...
Nostromo I have one question. have you ever seen a fighter the quality of Duran who has over half of his fights (in durans case at lightwegiht)vs fighters with losing records of poor very poor records even after they were champions.
Do you think we deserve more than that from out champions than to have them sign a contract to fight some fighter with a losing record.I have already given you the definative answer to any question you might raise conserning the career and ATG status of Mr. Duran. That answer covers all your parsing and disection of his record, because the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. The Roberto Duran mystique rises above "no mas," the KO at the hands Hearns, the quality of his opponents and his record. It's the intangibles, his persona, defensive skills, predatory intensity, etc., that places him in the top 10 by most accounts. Which brings me back to my ultimate answer to your detraction as repeated below...
wpink1: The greatest of men (from all walks of life) have their detractors, although these detractors are usually in the minute minority. So that in the grand scheme of things, your opinion of the latin legend is insignificant and of no consequence whatsoever.
The fact remains that Duran will continue to be regarded as one of the 10 greatest fighters in the history of boxing by the vast majority of intelligent life in the universe. You could lurk and troll on these forums with a zillion words from now 'til kingdom come, the legend of Roberto Duran is and forever will be etched in (hands of) stone...
he is overrated for sure. an overachiever. never a great just very good. floyd would beat him easily if they fought.To include Mayweather in a discussion about Duran is an act of blasphemy. The former could not carry the latter's jock strap, let alone step into the same ring with him, to say nothing about a boxing match.
Detractors of Sugar Ray Robinson argue that you can't campare fighters of different eras. The truth of the matter is, Robinson dominated his era more than any other fighter ever dominated his, thereby making him - with apologies to Muhammad Ali - #4# "The Greatest" fighter of all times...
henry armstrong is second only to srr, he's not even on your listHave you ever heard the expression "different strokes for different folks?" I listed the first 10 I could remember off the top of my head without any research whatsoever. Henry Armstrong is a legend (simultaneous multiple titles) and easily could have made my list had I remebered him before.
Top 10*
Sugar Ray Robinson
Joe Louis
Muhammad Ali
Rocky Marciano
Mike Tyson
Roberto Duran
Sugar Ray Leonard
Julio Cesar Chavez
Larry Holmes
Carlos Monzon
*In their prime
Bullshit Dictector
All Time: Sugar Ray Robinson
Current Time: Floyd MayweatherYou're contradicting yourself! "All time" means all time, including current time. You can't have it both ways, pal. Besides, you know damn well that deep down you really think Floyd's better than Sugar Ray...
:bsflag:
(In random order) I'd like to see the likes of these fighters back inthe ring:
Mike Tyson
Aaron Pryor
Muhammad Ali
Roberto Duran
Marvin Hagler
Tommmy Hearns
Sugar Ray Robinson
Joe Louis
Alexis Arguello
Larry HolmesThey don't make 'em like they used to...