Roberto Duran's Greatest Victory

[Panamaniac]

Against whom did Duran score his single most impressive victory? After voting in the above poll (if you're so inclined), explain the reason(s) for your choice.

I'd say vs Davey Moore for two reasons:

1. He reclaimed his stature in the sport after the debacle in New Orleans.
2. He demonstrated the most thorough, methodical and incremental dismantling of any opponent he's ever faced. He left no tool in the box that night. In no fight before or since did he deploy all his skills (Boxing, infighting, defense, etc.) as he did then. He taught a very painful boxing lesson to an up and coming superstar who would never be the same after that.

[SBleeder]

Montreal, no question about it.

Beating an undefeated ATG... above your best weight class... in one of the best tactical performances of all time... on a night that Leonard was also phenomenal.

[Panamaniac]

Montreal, no question about it.

Beating an undefeated ATG... above your best weight class... in one of the best tactical performances of all time... on a night that Leonard was also phenomenal.

Sound argument for your choice. It would be my #2.

[Scott9945]

This was much tougher than most polls like this. Plenty of good choices. I chose Palomino because Duran looked unbeatable that night against a top welterweight.

[LacedUp]

Obviously Ray Leonard. Win of the generation for me.

There's simply no solid case for any of his other wins to be as great as Leonard.

[Suckmedry]

Most significant win is Leonard without a doubt, but I'd like to give a special mention to the Barkley fight, an incredibly gutsy and gritty display against a WAY bigger guy, and he fought him up close and in the trenches, great example of protecting yourself while still taking the fight to the opponent.

[atomicsad]

Leonard was a great win!

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Srl,,, no doubt,, he beat one of the greatest fighters ever in his prime at his weight.. Grant it, srl fought ****** and tried to slug it out, but it doesn't change the fact that was Durans biggest win..

Then Barkley, Buchanan, dejesus 3, Moore

[Daddy T]

1. Leonard.
2. Barkley
3. Ken
4. Moore
5. DeJeses 2&3 were both great

[soul_survivor]

Obviously Ray Leonard. Win of the generation for me.

There's simply no solid case for any of his other wins to be as great as Leonard.

Exactly, it's not Moore, it's not Palomino, it's not Barkley.

SRL was the greatest fighter of the 80s, a top 10 ATG, possibly the greatest welterweight ever or at the very least right up there and Duran beat him, moving up from LW to do so, that's 12lbs for those who don't know. And he wasn't fighting some bum with a strap, he was fighting the real deal with speed and power.

SRL, let's not forget, imo, turned in his second greatest performance, almost out muscling and out manning the naturally more aggressive fighter. Duran just had that edge, not to mention it was a great fight, one of the best Duran was ever involved in, particularly one in which he won.