Henry Armstrong vs Roberto Duran fight outcomes

[them_apples]

Listed in this section because the other forum doesn't attract the same posters.

How would this fight play out at 135?

I see it being fought inside for most of it, since Armstrong is a pure inside fighter, and Duran being very good at it himself and usually unwilling to take a step back for the most part.

Being that it could end up being an inside fight all night long, and Armstrongs legendary toughness and inside game - could the ultra talented Duran overcome this?

[GhostofDempsey]

If I had to bet the house on it I'd go with Duran, but it would be a close and competitive fight. I think Duran's slight height advantage and better defensive skills put him over the top. Henry was best fighting on the inside. He was a rough and often dirty fighter charging in with head, shoulders and elbows and delivering his share of low blows. I don't think he would be able to rough house Duran without getting it right back from a bigger, faster opponent. It's no easy fight for Duran, but I think he pulls of a UD with a couple rounds to spare.

[mrbig1]

Great match up. Both are busy nonstop punchers. Gun to head I pick Roberto as well. Tough fight no doubt.

[them_apples]

If I had to bet the house on it I'd go with Duran, but it would be a close and competitive fight. I think Duran's slight height advantage and better defensive skills put him over the top. Henry was best fighting on the inside. He was a rough and often dirty fighter charging in with head, shoulders and elbows and delivering his share of low blows. I don't think he would be able to rough house Duran without getting it right back from a bigger, faster opponent. It's no easy fight for Duran, but I think he pulls of a UD with a couple rounds to spare.

Would off hand pick Duran because he has more tools on the outside, Am curious if the fight ever does really take place on the outside though, it would be very easy to lure Duran into a brawl that lasted 15 rounds. Armstrong is very good at this. as footage improves his inside craft can be seen. For me it's very difficult - I'll just play the devils advocate.

On one hand we saw Duran dismantle mostly everyone in the lower weights, but let's remember non of those guys were Henry Armstrong as well.

[GhostofDempsey]

Would off hand pick Duran because he has more tools on the outside, Am curious if the fight ever does really take place on the outside though, it would be very easy to lure Duran into a brawl that lasted 15 rounds. Armstrong is very good at this. as footage improves his inside craft can be seen. For me it's very difficult - I'll just play the devils advocate.

On one hand we saw Duran dismantle mostly everyone in the lower weights, but let's remember non of those guys were Henry Armstrong as well.

Henry would have to bring that inside fight to Duran, as he did with just about all of his opponents. He charged in head first like a bull and threw a lot of punches. Opponents were getting it to the body and the head, and taking head butts, forearms, elbows and low-blows in addition to the windmill of punches coming at them. If they couldn't move on their feet they were in for a long night, unless they could out-muscle and out-maneuver him. I like Duran's chances better than almost anyone at 135. I would also pick Ike Williams and Pacquiao even though he was only at 135 very briefly, his body of work at 130 and 147 is enough for me to favor him over Henry. I wouldn't count out Chavez either.

[QueensburyRules]

- - Just to point out, Duran starved to make lightweight, and then starved to make welter, ie he's the bigger, stronger fighter, and eventually couldn't even make 154.

He's also more skilled overall, not to disparage Armstrong's special skill set that fit him so well.

So what I'm saying in a battle of greats, the bigger, stronger, more skilled will have his hand raised at the end, but the fans and fighters would be blessed for an eternity over such an fantastical encounter...

[them_apples]

- - Just to point out, Duran starved to make lightweight, and then starved to make welter, ie he's the bigger, stronger fighter, and eventually couldn't even make 154.

He's also more skilled overall, not to disparage Armstrong's special skill set that fit him so well.

So what I'm saying in a battle of greats, the bigger, stronger, more skilled will have his hand raised at the end, but the fans and fighters would be blessed for an eternity over such an fantastical encounter...

imo Size won't matter, the body of work by both men says size won't matter. Both are totally fearless

Also, the quality of footage coming out of Armstrong is improving, his head movement and inside tactics - defense are sublime.

[them_apples]

Henry would have to bring that inside fight to Duran, as he did with just about all of his opponents. He charged in head first like a bull and threw a lot of punches. Opponents were getting it to the body and the head, and taking head butts, forearms, elbows and low-blows in addition to the windmill of punches coming at them. If they couldn't move on their feet they were in for a long night, unless they could out-muscle and out-maneuver him. I like Duran's chances better than almost anyone at 135. I would also pick Ike Williams and Pacquiao even though he was only at 135 very briefly, his body of work at 130 and 147 is enough for me to favor him over Henry. I wouldn't count out Chavez either.

I like Durans chances the best, I don't pick the guys you mentioned though, esp not chavez and Pac - Pac fought in an era when nobody fought inside, he would have to improvise very fast and I am doubtful of this, he was easy to hit for such a high level fighter. Chavez on the other hand, is well balanced in all categories, but the fight would be inside all night based on my views of Chavez style. I don't see him actively adopting a style of spinning Henry off balance and catching him on the outside.

Armstrong beat so many fighters in different weight classes because his style beats almost every other style out there. As the footage improves we can see why, he has some of the most clever headmovement of all time and an extremely hard personality, much like Marciano.

imo of course

[QueensburyRules]

imo Size won't matter, the body of work by both men says size won't matter. Both are totally fearless

Also, the quality of footage coming out of Armstrong is improving, his head movement and inside tactics - defense are sublime.

- - Size does indeed matter, the whole reason for weight classes and catchweight fights.

Duran had much better success vs above welter fighters than did Armstrong who generally was below the welter limit.

[them_apples]

- - Size does indeed matter, the whole reason for weight classes and catchweight fights.

Duran had much better success vs above welter fighters than did Armstrong who generally was below the welter limit.

and in this case size won't matter. They are very similar in size, the fight will be fought up close and both fought much bigger men than themselves.

Duran has much better success above welter? how so?

either or, size won't matter. Duran will be 140 lbs on fight night in his prime, Armstrong likely 135.