When studying Roberto Duran fights, what skills to pay attention to?

[zhubin]

Because he was such a devastating puncher...many things about Duran often get overlooked. As people have mentioned...his defense was underrated...especially considering what a tremendous offense he had. His overall skill and fluidity where also sometimes overlooked because he seemed to like to "brawl" so much. And finally...the guy was just a flat out amazing athlete (check out some of his jump roping and speed bag vids from back in the day). Add to that his huge personality...just a LEGENDARY fighter.

[jahmez]

I loved the way he would roll jabs and counter with an overhand right. He hurt Leonard badly in the Brawl doing this, landed some sweet ones on Barkley and off the top of my head I think it was the same move that started an onslaught that got a running Lou Bizzaro out of there. He was also great at pulling back from punches while on the inside as well. Duran had a great sense of ruthless economy in the way he fought. Like everyone has pointed out, even though he was a great brawler at heart he was still a trained boxer. He also knew what rythym to fight at. At Lightweight he was a manic ball of energy but as he went up in weight he had the savvy and wits to know that he would have to rely more on boxing, pacing his rounds and looking for an oppurtunity to unleash rather than just trying to force his will against bigger stronger opponents.

[The Fightfan]

I am reading his life story as we speak and there isn't much credit given to his defensive skills(well except from you guy's on this topic) HE had tremndous power at lightweight and just overall skill. As he moved up in weight his power somewhat diminished but his boxing prowness was amazing. Like many have said all you have to do is watch the first Leonard fight and you will say " Oh I get it now ". Extremely hard to hit on the chin with a punch and that is not taught it is a natural ability that someone just has. Tremendous skills in cutting the ring off to where Leonard would find himself on the ropes fighting Duran's rough battle on the inside.

[paddy448]

I am reading his life story as we speak and there isn't much credit given to his defensive skills(well except from you guy's on this topic) HE had tremndous power at lightweight and just overall skill. As he moved up in weight his power somewhat diminished but his boxing prowness was amazing. Like many have said all you have to do is watch the first Leonard fight and you will say " Oh I get it now ". Extremely hard to hit on the chin with a punch and that is not taught it is a natural ability that someone just has. Tremendous skills in cutting the ring off to where Leonard would find himself on the ropes fighting Duran's rough battle on the inside.

its a great book that mate

[JonnyFolds]

Well how about the intangibles?

He got inside almost every single one of his opponents heads.. He could bring someone to the blistering pace he would sometimes like to fight at. People have said that he was a great puncher, but Duran was an even better finisher. He didn't just look for the big shot, he would soften you up downstairs and then take it upstairs when he knew you couldn't bend at the waist any longer.

Duran had a rock hard chin. His style of fighting is not for the feint of heart. Yes, he rolled with some punches, but he also took them. Watch the rematch of Duran De Jesus. De Jesus lifts him off the ground with this hook uppercut in the first round. And, Duran gets right back up and takes it to the man who had taken his lone loss from him.

Duran was a gym junkie. He also was huge in the ring. He could cut enormous amounts of weight for fights. Duran the tactician (post SRL and Hearns losses) was very different fighter. He adjusted very well and took it to his opponents big or small. But it showed what a marvelous fighter he always was when he moved up thru 147-168 becoming the gatekeeper to almost every division he touched.

All hail the greatest LW fighter ever.

[paddy448]

Top 5 p4p for me

[CutMeMick]

It goes without saying though that the name Ray Arcel should be mentioned here...

[0james0]

Great thread.

He was just fantastic to watch.

[Dark Lord Al]

Balance , thats his main skill , this gave him wonderful ability to roll away from punches , also set himself to deliver power punches to the body.
Roberto was a very underestimated skilled boxer , because of his reputation as a wild man .

[TitoFan]

When you talk about Roberto Duran's skills, you obviously have to mention his power. Nothing you can work on... just God-given power. And he was deceptively quick. He may not have had the smoothest boxing style ever (such as a SRL), but he had great head movement, which resulted in good defense. And the power was with BOTH hands. I mean, they were just HEAVY (hence, the nickname "Hands of Stone"). Finally, his ferociousness. The guy just worked himself into a frenzy and wanted to rip your head off in there. You rarely, if ever, saw any hugging after a fight with "Mano de Piedra" Duran.

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

Hey there

Just tripped over this top thread, some great views. Wondered whether this video-based article on the Roberto Duran Boxing Style might add something. Happy to take any feedback back on this thread.

Cheers

Fran