was Roberto Duran really that great?

[Wiley Hyena]

Nope. He lost a 15 rounder for Benitez' light-middleweight crown. Take from (if I may say so myself) Duran's #1 authority on this forum.

Yes, I know. As I said in my edit...I confused Benitez with Cuevez when I first read the post.

[Panamaniac]

duran was an atg....now just imagine how much greater he would have been if he had some discipline outside the ring and with the fork.

Quite true. That lack of discipline is best manifested in the way Durán looks today (see my signature) and the way he looked between fights before retiring in 2001. On the positive side, however, the controlled fury of Roberto Durán is best exemplified by the video link in blue text below...

[Wiley Hyena]

Just who at lightweight did he beat. If you go to boxrec.com...it is a bunch of fighters with losing records for the most part. he did beat Ray Leoanrd and is a great fighter, but Not above Ray or mayweather in my book. He beat Ray when ray willing...I repeat willingly chose to fight durans fight. Look what happened when he fought his fight...then Duran got beat by Benetiz and Heanrs..

Now I agree it was a higher weights, but you cant say past his prime at age 30-33 when we are still reserving judgment for mayweather at his age now, and yes Mayweather has moved up from 130 as well.

Duran's record is 103-16. He fought from 1968-2001. From 1989 forward he incurred 9 of those losses in the Super Middleweight division.

From 1971-1978 he fought at Lightweight (135) 23 times by my count, and lost only one to Esteban De Jesus who was a great fighter in his own right. Duran and De Jesus had 3 fights at LW with Duran winning two. Note, he was also fighting at Jr. WW during those years as well.

Duran lost to Hearns and Benitez at Light Middleweight in the latter stage of his prime and well after moving out of the LW-Jr.WW divisions.

I believe my figures are accurate after making a run thru the numerous stats. If there are any errors they are nominal.

[Slotff]

Ruled the lightweight devision for a decade. Probably the greatest light weight ever. Went something like 74-1. Probably P4P the hardest puncher ever. I may get laughed at for that, but the guy had a monsterous punch from 126-175. Now thats something. Beat a PRIME Ray Leonard. The only man to do so. Beat Barkley in one of the best fights anyone has ever seen. Won world titles in the 135,147,154 and 160 pounds. Won minor titles at 168 Pounds. Duran is an atg for sure.

[Brandish]

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?

he is overrated for sure. an overachiever. never a great just very good. floyd would beat him easily if they fought.

[Wiley Hyena]

he is overrated for sure. an overachiever. never a great just very good. floyd would beat him easily if they fought.

Floyd would get blasted right out of the ring at any weight class by Duran. Duran had great skill and power.

Ironic that Duran had over 100 fights. Mayflower has 38 and has already retired once. Floyd not even in Duran's class.

[newforce]

Exactly. You have to watch some of Duran's early fights to really appreciate his boxing talent. He really put a beating to some of the light weights he faced. He was a great fighter in my opinion.... As a side note even though he did get knocked out by Thomas "the hitman" Hearns, who by the way was in his prime, he also defeated Iran Barkley who KO'd Hearns and went the distance with Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

I seen Duran fight a couple of times.
I think he didn't possess a lot of speed, but he has a good 1 punch KO.
Would you agree with me there?

[Jim Jeffries]

I just got some new fights into
my collection. I got the one with
Roberto Duran against Tommy Herns.
My uncle keeps saying Duran was so great.
I saw the tape when Duran quit against Sugar
Ray too. Now seeing Tommy Herns knock him out
with one punch. Why do people keep saying Duran
is so great especially old people.

I saw a 50 year old Duran lose to Camacho, you're right, he ******.

[Wiley Hyena]

I seen Duran fight a couple of times.
I think he didn't possess a lot of speed, but he has a good 1 punch KO.
Would you agree with me there?

No. Duran had great handspeed and KO power in both hands. You need to see him fight at LW-WW to really understand what Duran was about.

[Jim Jeffries]

he is overrated for sure. an overachiever. never a great just very good. floyd would beat him easily if they fought.

I guess by that logic Sugar Ray Robinson was extremely overrated too, right?