Roberto Duran's Genius

[Tony Trick-Pony]

If Duran were not a boxer he'd have been an incredible wrestler/grappler. It's very rare to see a guy operate in the boxing ring with that level of sensitivity to his opponents movement on the inside. He knows the punches are coming even if he can't see them coming because he can feel the weight transferring.

It's what makes a great inside fighter. All too rare a quality in boxing.

I don't know if he's the best inside fighter ever, but he's the best I've ever seen. With each movement, he sets his opponent up to take a thrashing on the inside. It's fascinating. He's like combining a brawler with every aspect of technical inside fighting. A rare, rare talent indeed.

[OCPancho]

Ray Arcel and Freddie Brown taught him all the old school tricks of the craft.

You won't see those subtle skills from a lot of today's supposedly "advanced" modern fighters.

Including lacing, thumbing and elbowing.
The fkkr was a genius in the ring.

[OctoberRed]

Including lacing, thumbing and elbowing.
The fkkr was a genius in the ring.

Ha! I was wondering if anyone would bring that up.

[OCPancho]

I don't know if he's the best inside fighter ever, but he's the best I've ever seen. With each movement, he sets his opponent up to take a thrashing on the inside. It's fascinating. He's like combining a brawler with every aspect of technical inside fighting. A rare, rare talent indeed.

Joe Frazier was the best in phone booth warfare.
HE HAD to fight inside.
He had no jab and no right cross.

[OctoberRed]

Joe Frazier was the best in phone booth warfare.
HE HAD to fight inside.
He had no jab and no right cross.

That's what made him great, that's what led to his downfall.

[OCPancho]

That's what made him great, that's what led to his downfall.

He was also legally blind with his right eye.

Joe's downfall was his style was suited for a young fighter.
And freaking George had the uppercut that moved mountains.

And Lord, Ali should should have been dead from all that left hook he took from Joe in Manila.

[tonysoprano]

I never saw Ray Robinson or any of the other fighters from the 60's and earlier. But of my lifetime, i think Duran might just be the most complete fighter. He had basically every skill in the book and knew when and how to use them.

As well has being one tough SOB.

[HOUDINI563]

Arcel always said that Duran was the closest thing he ever saw to Jack Dempsey.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Joe Frazier was the best in phone booth warfare.
HE HAD to fight inside.
He had no jab and no right cross.

Always love watching Joe work.

He tended to eat more leather than Roberto though.

[HOUDINI563]

Frazier was a good inside fighter but he lacked coordination in his right hand that he had in abundance in his left. This made him much less effective as he could have been. Certainly Frazier with a right as good as his left stops Ali in 71.