Roberto Duran vs Felix Trinidad @ 147

[El Dominicano]

Interesting fantasy matchup! I agree with Silencer...the Duran that beat Leonard would have beaten nearly any welterweight on that night. That being said, Duran only fought a handfull of fights near the 147 pound weight class, and beat some decent contenders of the time but lacked the pop he had at lightweight. I think Tito would win a narrow ud.

How did lack pop?? I'm very certain his power always moved with him.

[baddest]

How did lack pop?? I'm very certain his power always moved with him.

I disagree. He still had some power after moving up, but not enough to consistently KTFO ppl like he used to. check his rec after moving up to 147, I think he has only 2 tko's in between 79/89

[Miburo]

I don't know about this one, Tito's size could hamper him. Duran was no slickster, and getting in there and brawling could end up like the Hearns fight if he isn't careful. I see it as a UD for Tito, it would look similar to the Hagler fight.

[Dambala]

Duran is a top 3 as a lightweight, as a welter I have to go with Tito, hard to call, but I could see the same outcome of the Hearns fight but later.

[TheGreatA]

I don't know about this one, Tito's size could hamper him. Duran was no slickster, and getting in there and brawling could end up like the Hearns fight if he isn't careful. I see it as a UD for Tito, it would look similar to the Hagler fight.

Then again if the Duran - Hagler fight had been 12 rounds, Duran would've won a decision on the judges' scorecards against Hagler who I would say is better in almost every way than Trinidad except maybe one punch power.


Duran vs Hagler, not a very action-packed fight between two action fighters.


Duran vs Barkley, I would imagine Duran vs Trinidad would look something like this fight.

[Miburo]

Then again if the Duran - Hagler fight had been 12 rounds, Duran would've won a decision on the judges' scorecards against Hagler who I would say is better in almost every way than Trinidad except maybe one punch power.

Hagler was a strange fighter, there was the "blitz/tornado get you out early" Hagler (Minter, Hearns) and the polar opposite "buckle in and grind, slow-starting" Hagler (Duran, Leonard).

[TheGreatA]

Hagler was a strange fighter, there was the "blitz/tornado get you out early" Hagler (Minter, Hearns) and the polar opposite "buckle in and grind, slow-starting" Hagler (Duran, Leonard).

Agreed. He was not fighting very intelligently against Duran, showing too much respect (Hearns showed none).

Hagler gave away many rounds and made it closer than it should've been, but he also proved to some doubters at the time that he could go 15 rounds and perform well in the later stages (won the last 3 rounds against a tiring Duran).

He may have been out to prove a point, as he tried to do against Leonard (by trying to box Leonard with orthodox stance).

Barkley probably fought his best fight against Duran, although he lost the decision.

[slicksouthpaw16]

It just baffles me that people use the Leonard fight as any evidence that Duran would beat Trinidad, completely ignoring the fact that styles makes fight and Leonard completely abandoned his game plan and fought the wrong fight. Duran upset Leonard and got into his head, which caused Ray fight fire with fire and **** with Duran. When Leonard boxed in their second fight, he frustrated him. Say he was past his prime and out of shape all you want, but he had struggled with weight issues throughout his career.

Trinidad is a different fighter. He was a very strong welterweight with punching power and and he also has skill on top of it. Duran fights too close and doesn't have the defense to slip punches for the entire fight. You have to give someone like this lateral movement, especially when they have a lot more power then you do and stamina at least as good. I like Trinidad by decision in a somewhat close fight.

[El Dominicano]

Everyone talks about the Hearns fight! I ain't gonna call it a lucky punch. I'd much rather call it a GREAT PUCH that landed on the perfect spot. Hearns could have K.O'd anybody with that punch.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Duran vs Barkley, I would imagine Duran vs Trinidad would look something like this fight.

Barkley was a very good fighter and a very exciting middleweight, but no where near great and certainly not around the caliber of Trinidad. In fact other than Hearns what top echelon fighter did he beat? Tito had a much better left hook, was more precise with his punches and was a lot faster. He also punched harder pound for pound. I don't think you were comparing them, but i just thought i would point that out.