Julio Ceasar chavez would have been more than a match for Duran at lightweight .

Julio Ceasar chavez in my opinion was a close second to Duran.
Julio CC was every bit as strong and quick as a super feather/lightweight
Duran edges it in terms of skill and variety

Duran would have given JCC a fit. JCC did not really have a plan B in his career. It was come forward and destroy. He had great defense, the kind that takes the snap off people's punches. He could give you angles while coming forward, which has not been performed well by a lot of fighters. And, JCC was as we all know, a devastating body puncher.

Duran changed throughout his career. He learned how to handle the biggest punchers, the slickest boxers, the warriors, and flat out some great competition. Note that, Duran's only trial at lightweight was Esteban De Jesus, who Duran destroyed 2nd time after claiming stomach cramps in their first fight.

If JCC can't hurt his opponent, he can't win. Duran would find a way to beat JCC.

This is the best lightweight match up in history for me. I'd pick Duran to win a decision.

Duran takes him and KO's him in the later rounds. Duran was too much of a beast at 135, and would have had anyone who wasn't a really intelligent boxer in trouble. JCC would have got involved just how Duran would have liked it, and Duran's power would have carried him to victory. There's very few lightweights in recent history that I could see beating Duran. The only ones where I could see it maybe happening is Pernell, Floyd & maybe Shane Mosley at 135, but the first two it would be the slickness and being able to quickly get in and out, almost how Leonard did in their 2nd fight, and avoiding Duran to get a decision.

Would have been a GREAT fight no doubt about it. I would pick Duran to win though he had better skills and I think he was just that little bit tougher, so no matter what Chavez did, box or slug Duran would have got the better of him.

What a shame it never happened eh?

I think Duran would have manhandled JCC, JCC had good technique, and he didn't like to be out macho'ed, and Duran could do more in the ring, he could box better on the outside, and he could get right on the inside like he did against Leonard in their first meeting and smother you power, but still get leverage on his punches.

When I say DUran would manhandle JCC, I don't think he would have dominated him, but he would have physically controlled the fight, and JCC would be on the ropes a lot, and I don't think he would have faired well.

I dont see Chavez as the straight forward, walk in stalker type as some suggest at times.Especially early on,true he would look to cut you off with precise combination punching but he had multiple gears with a very acute timing ability and sence of opponents condition,nice feet early in career.Overall,I think Durans workrate and attrition would rule the day,just too busy for Chavez who waited at times against the higher level and could be out hustled.If you moved out...he found you & cut you down.If you stood ground,he had angles and hellacious body attack to ultimatly back you...mostly.I think a lightweight, Duran could combine the best of both and be one step ahead largely.A very gritty descision by Duran.

Good replies ,

I think Duran would have eventually gone man to man with JCC yes he could have outboxed him but I think JCC is underated in terms of skill he was very much a thinking fighter and the way he broke many a strong good man in such a brutal fashion was something.
Mexico versus Panama especiallywith Duran's heritage it would have been a truly great fight .

Lest we forget Duran put in a lot of stinkers in his career but at their respective peaks , wooooow.

I think Chavez would be tailor made for Duran, Whitaker on the other hand....?l