Mythical lightweight matchup

[frasd]

I have seen arguments in posts and magazines as to mythical matchups in terms of Duran vs Mayweather at lightweight. What about Pac vs Duran at that weight? I know Pac had great wins at a couple of versions of featherweight and then welterweight. (I think he only fought Diaz at Light but could be wrong)
What would that fight look like and who would win?
I am a big Duran fan and thinks he beats Floyd and Pac at that weight but it might be my own bias as I am old and like I said a big fan of Duran.
I am one of the few that like both Floyd and Pac. I think they are both all time greats. I personally think Floyd wins if they fight but every time I have bet against Pac I have lost. But that is a separate conversation already overdone. Just wondering why I never saw the scenario touched on as I have seen much stranger. Kimbo vs Tyson for instance.

[El Kabong]

It's hard to comment truthfully on Pac vs Floyd without haters from one side or another getting their feelings hurt about it.


Pac-Duran at lightweight...well Roberto Duran is considered the greatest lightweight in the world for a reason. I wonder about the power Pac has, and the handspeed, but I think at lightweight Duran would handle Manny he was just too technically sound.

[frasd]

It's hard to comment truthfully on Pac vs Floyd without haters from one side or another getting their feelings hurt about it.


Pac-Duran at lightweight...well Roberto Duran is considered the greatest lightweight in the world for a reason. I wonder about the power Pac has, and the handspeed, but I think at lightweight Duran would handle Manny he was just too technically sound.

I agree re the outcome. But think it would be fun to watch. Plus they both kinda look like the same guy of different ethnicities. Or maybe it is just the goatee.


I shouldn't have mentioned Floyd vs Pac as that argument may take over what I was initially asking and can lead to nothing good.

[IamInuit]

It's hard to comment truthfully on Pac vs Floyd without haters from one side or another getting their feelings hurt about it.


Pac-Duran at lightweight...well Roberto Duran is considered the greatest lightweight in the world for a reason. I wonder about the power Pac has, and the handspeed, but I think at lightweight Duran would handle Manny he was just too technically sound.

Indeed, this forum on the topic of either one of those two has been reduced to one either being a "nuthugger" or "hater" and we both know what happens to objectivity when that happens.

I actually think that 35 would be a harder slog for both men then 47.

Beau Jack
Benny Leonard
Joe Gans
Lou Ambers
Shane Mosley
Freddie Welsh
Carlos Ortiz
Hank Armstrong
Oscar Delahoya
Roberto Duran
Ike Williams
Ken Buchanan
Toney Canzoneri
Pernell Whitaker although I’d hate to see a fight between these 2 at any weight.
Iamael Laguna
Barney Ross


The better pack a lunch.

[Master]

The lightweight division has a rich history and there were great fighters @IamInuit mentions. Manny just passed through the weight during his peak and very impressive phase, that frightened Floyd so much he accused him of being unnatural, bu he did not stay there long enough to say he was greater than the top fighters.

Style wise Duran would land big right hands on Manny but Pac Man's punch power and speed would give hand of stone trouble. Still think Duran wins.

Julio Ceaser Chavez v Roberto Duran would have been great.

[IamInuit]

The lightweight division has a rich history and there were great fighters @IamInuit mentions. Manny just passed through the weight during his peak and very impressive phase, that frightened Floyd so much he accused him of being unnatural, bu he did not stay there long enough to say he was greater than the top fighters.

Style wise Duran would land big right hands on Manny but Pac Man's punch power and speed would give hand of stone trouble. Still think Duran wins.

Julio Ceaser Chavez v Roberto Duran would have been great.

Not sure on the speed thing my friend. Duran was unreal at 135. I'd argue he was just as fast as Manny if not faster. He matched speed with Leonard at 147. Durans another one of these guys I grew to like after his peak but thought of him a dick during it. Dejesus managed to out point him once but he was unstoppable and reached 71-1. I actually feel bad for Duran because he was overshadowed by Ali.

When both Ray Arcel and Freddie Brown say they never saw anything like him since Henry Armstrong, that carries a lot of cred. Both guys trained Armstrong and grew up around Benny Leonard. Speaking of mythical matchups, I'd probably remove a testicle to see Armstrong v Duran.

[Master]

I was not going to mention speed but regretted typing it but it is a strength of Manny but you are right Dejesus was fast and Duran handled him.

[frasd]

The lightweight division has a rich history and there were great fighters @IamInuit mentions. Manny just passed through the weight during his peak and very impressive phase, that frightened Floyd so much he accused him of being unnatural, bu he did not stay there long enough to say he was greater than the top fighters.

Style wise Duran would land big right hands on Manny but Pac Man's punch power and speed would give hand of stone trouble. Still think Duran wins.

Julio Ceaser Chavez v Roberto Duran would have been great.

Not sure on the speed thing my friend. Duran was unreal at 135. I'd argue he was just as fast as Manny if not faster. He matched speed with Leonard at 147. Durans another one of these guys I grew to like after his peak but thought of him a dick during it. Dejesus managed to out point him once but he was unstoppable and reached 71-1. I actually feel bad for Duran because he was overshadowed by Ali.

When both Ray Arcel and Freddie Brown say they never saw anything like him since Henry Armstrong, that carries a lot of cred. Both guys trained Armstrong and grew up around Benny Leonard. Speaking of mythical matchups, I'd probably remove a testicle to see Armstrong v Duran.

Like I said, I am a big Duran fan. I bought a box set of his fights online. Quality was not too bad and a great collection. At first I thought it was a mistake but the only fights not on the collection was Leanord II and Hearns fight. Just as well I guess. But I looked through all the DVDs 50 times to see if I was mistaken. Must be a coincidence.
His biography is a good read as well and I still say he was a monster at lightweight and wouldn't bet against him vs past or present greats.

[Beanz]

Good thread.

FMJ v Benny Leonard would be a technical chess match. Marmite fight people will either love or hate it, depending on preference and taste.

Floyd narrowly loses on points or knocks Benny out.

Henry Armstrong v Duran. Ha! barnstormer . Don't want to make out that Roberto is some unstoppable God of war but at lightweight I think he gives most anybody problems. Duran TKO late.

Buchanan v Burns. Battle of the Tartan. Early night for Ricky I'm afraid.

Buchanan wins by KO in 4th round

[Bill Paxtom]

Ike Williams vs. Ken Buchanan

Could the Scot handle Ike's bombs.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Carlos Ortiz vs. Jose Napoles

A bout that should have happened in 1964.
------------------------------------------------------------

Ray Mancini vs. Andy Ganigan

A 'Boom Boom' vs. an 'Hawaiian Punch'