Duran vs Whitaker, prime vs prime at LW

[greynotsoold]

Duran was a very smart fighter throughout his career. At LW he also had great stamina, punching power, and didn't believe he could lose. Whitaker couldn't punch with him and Duran was smarter than Whitaker was when he fought at 135 (and probably throughout Whitaker's career). When Whitaker tried his (illegal) showboating tricks like getting real low or grabbing Duran's legs, Duran would punch through it, he wouldn't stand for that nonsense.
Whitaker was almost dropped by Pendleton, McGirt, and I believe Mayweather did drop him. Duran rough-houses him, beats him up and knocks him out all in 7-9 rounds.

[Master]

Duran points in a close fight, both great fighters but Duran had power and with the intelligent aggression would have given him the decision.

[Beanflicker]

Sweet Pea fucked up Chavez!

[bradlee180]

Cocaine f*<ked up Sweet Pea!

[THE THIRD MAN]

Duran was the Lightweight king in the 70's, he fought 3 epic battles with Esteben De Jesus who in any other era would've been regarded as a great Lightweight Champion. By the time he fought Sugar Ray Leonard he was already 71-1 and that is a huge amount of boxing. It was an amazing performance and probably the last time we ever saw Duran at his peak. Don't judge him for his efforts in the 80's when he is over 30 and past his best. The previous 10 years were devastating.
As much as i like Sweet Pea i just don't think he could've held Duran off for 15 rounds and win a decision, i think Duran grinds him down and wins a late stoppage. Duran TKO 13

[ICB]

Duran was a very smart fighter throughout his career. At LW he also had great stamina, punching power, and didn't believe he could lose. Whitaker couldn't punch with him and Duran was smarter than Whitaker was when he fought at 135 (and probably throughout Whitaker's career). When Whitaker tried his (illegal) showboating tricks like getting real low or grabbing Duran's legs, Duran would punch through it, he wouldn't stand for that nonsense.
Whitaker was almost dropped by Pendleton, McGirt, and I believe Mayweather did drop him. Duran rough-houses him, beats him up and knocks him out all in 7-9 rounds.

Whitaker almost dropped by Pendleton ? don't remember that at all. I remember him beating Pendleton quite comfortably 9-3 or 8-4, and he schooled McGirt in the rematch. No shame in being floored with Mayweather he had dynamite in the right hand, and i think Whitaker was more hurt by being hit while he was down.

Duran also got floored twice by De Jesus, this is all moot because there would be no stoppage. Whitaker is tougher than you think he took flush punches off one of the hardest hitting Welterweights of all time, and survived 12 rounds while being past his prime.

I think Whitaker beats Duran by decision, Duran was great as a Lightweight but i do feel he struggled with boxers somewhat. Although he did beat some solid boxers like Fernandez and ETC, he did get schooled by a defensive master like Benitez.

I don't think there would be any schooling here, but i think Whitaker would win a close decision if he doesn't get robbed.

[greynotsoold]

Duran was a very smart fighter throughout his career. At LW he also had great stamina, punching power, and didn't believe he could lose. Whitaker couldn't punch with him and Duran was smarter than Whitaker was when he fought at 135 (and probably throughout Whitaker's career). When Whitaker tried his (illegal) showboating tricks like getting real low or grabbing Duran's legs, Duran would punch through it, he wouldn't stand for that nonsense.
Whitaker was almost dropped by Pendleton, McGirt, and I believe Mayweather did drop him. Duran rough-houses him, beats him up and knocks him out all in 7-9 rounds.

Whitaker almost dropped by Pendleton ? don't remember that at all. I remember him beating Pendleton quite comfortably 9-3 or 8-4, and he schooled McGirt in the rematch. No shame in being floored with Mayweather he had dynamite in the right hand, and i think Whitaker was more hurt by being hit while he was down.

Duran also got floored twice by De Jesus, this is all moot because there would be no stoppage. Whitaker is tougher than you think he took flush punches off one of the hardest hitting Welterweights of all time, and survived 12 rounds while being past his prime.

I think Whitaker beats Duran by decision, Duran was great as a Lightweight but i do feel he struggled with boxers somewhat. Although he did beat some solid boxers like Fernandez and ETC, he did get schooled by a defensive master like Benitez.

I don't think there would be any schooling here, but i think Whitaker would win a close decision if he doesn't get robbed.

Yeah, 8th round, or later, Pendleton hit him with a right hand and Whitaker did a very deep knee bend. I watched it at a bar in Chino and subsequently did some very serious elbow bending, but I think I remember that.
In all this debate keep in mind that Whitaker became a better fighter as he moved up. At lightweight he tended to punch more and that wouldn't do him well with Duran, and in no world is he smart enough to 'frustrate' Duran. Quite the opposite. Duran would be on him, not buying into his feints and shiftiness and just punching over the top of it.
Benny Leonard was considered the best LW of all time by Ray Arcel, and he started training fighters way back, before 1920, and he trained Duran. Actually, worked as an advisor in his corner, but was very familiar with him. Benny leonard was known for incredible hand-speed, real good punching power, and, above all, his intelligence in the ring. Many boxing guys, of the older than me variety, considered him the best ever because he was so good without any physical advantage.
He'd beat Duran or Armstrong. Ike Williams is life or death with any of them. Mosley beats Whitaker at LW because he was just as fast, hit harder, and, when not intimidated by fighting a physical equal, thinks real sharp in the ring.