Posted by Terry Nutkins:
Anybody who suggests that Duran's power increased as he moved through the divisions is deranged. Even at welterweight his power was severely diminished. Beyond that he stopped very few top level guys in the higher weights. In fact after Pipino and Moore in 83 his Ko's against meaningful opposition all but dried up.
Terry you must acknowledge that for a natural lightweight to be able to stand and trade (and indeed win) with men from the Middleweight and Supermiddleweight, illustrates that the man had above average punching power?
The former lithe lightweight was replaced by a savy old lion who outsmarted younger and more powerful foes such as Barkley via decision. Even at his absolute peak when he unleashed a pugilistic masterclass against DeJesus in 78, it was once again remorseless, educated pressure rather than sheer force that settled the issue.
Terry, although I am the first to defend Duran when his skills are questioned, I never felt he was a smart fighter. He had defensive skills surely and indeed his offensive arsenal was quite exemplary, but in his fights he used little intellect. As you said he used pressure, force and aggression to wear down opponents. Again I ask you, could a man who was naturally a lightweight grind down fighters such as Barkley if he was only possessed of a Lightweights power?
Duran was and never has been, at any weight, in true world class, a one punch knock out artist. As a lightweight he had very good power, but not devastating.
From that Logic one might argue that Foreman, Tyson and Chavez were not true knockout artists as their most famed victories came from a number of punches landing in succession or following a previous knockdown.

Duran is my favourite fighter who ever lived and quite possibly the greatest exponent ever of the noble art. But he does not fulfill the requisite criteria that the topic heading pertains to.
Without wishing to sound arrogant, but i inevitably will. Theres nobody on this forum, or any other forum for that matter who has a more intrinsic and intimate understanding of the career of Manos de piedra than myself. Thats not a boast, its just a fact.
Terry, I'm not accusing you of arrogance, however I do take issue with the above. I feel you cannot posibly make that claim whilst you post so infrrequently on this website. Had you spent more time in conversation with the posters here you would have learned of the numerous Duarn fanatics that reside her. In addition I personally know of two posters here who have trained and worked with Duran, so your statement is slightly flawed already.
I admire the love you so obviously have of this fighter, but bear in mind nobody is infalliable, nor is anyone all-knowing.

Nigel Benn did not obliterate top world level opponents with single destructive shots. Even at middleweight he didn't, and at super middleweight he certainly did not. Once again i direct any dissenting voices to take a look at Benn's record, the empirical data is there for all to see.
This is related to my earlier answer, to say this casts doubt upon the knockout ability of fighters such as Tyson, Chavez and Foreman.