Watching duran

[generalbulldog]

Roberto Duran is one of the most well rounded fighters in the history of the sport and probably the greatest lightweight of all time (I say probably because Benny Leonard is up there too). His mastery of various skills was what allowed him to last so long in the sport. I don't know if you could ever give him enough credit for his defense, he applied constant pressure and was able to pick off punches and counter in the tightest of spaces.

Interestingly enough Ray Arcel who trained both said he would take Leonard as the better overall fighter than Duran. Of course this was after the no mas incident and many have speculated that Arcel said that because he was disgusted with Duran. I guess we'll never know.

[marbleheadmaui]

Roberto Duran is one of the most well rounded fighters in the history of the sport and probably the greatest lightweight of all time (I say probably because Benny Leonard is up there too). His mastery of various skills was what allowed him to last so long in the sport. I don't know if you could ever give him enough credit for his defense, he applied constant pressure and was able to pick off punches and counter in the tightest of spaces.

Interestingly enough Ray Arcel who trained both said he would take Leonard as the better overall fighter than Duran. Of course this was after the no mas incident and many have speculated that Arcel said that because he was disgusted with Duran. I guess we'll never know.

Ray was always worth listening to wasn't he?

[KananKrus]

Duran punches and he connects, gets to pin the other fella’ on the ropes, trouble indeed.... He punches, he misses... he clinches and holds. Style of the era... and quite effective, wins most fights!

This attack is arguably designed to get into an infighting type of struggle, where Roberto's skills are legendary. Arguably too, is that an infighter's head functions as a third fist... always resting on the opponent's shoulder, applying a fatigue-inducing pressure, whilst all but too ready to deliver blows too when opportunity presents! Ask Mike Tyson after his fight against Evander!

....Works more successfully than it fails as a skill set, but against an excellent counter-puncher with movement and angles, this style, Roberto's, hits the wall. It fails more than it will succeed. Exhibit would be the second Ray fight.

...In the first Leonard fight, Ray's trainer, Angelo Dundee, came up with a paltry game plan, toe to toe, fire with fire, mano y mano... and Ray had to suffer a humiliating loss for it.

However, in the second fight, the adjustment made was effective enough to get the desired result. The adjustment was to counter Roberto all night with piston like shots and jabs, and to mostly avoid the ropes and the wild and furious exchanges where chins will surely be tested. It worked effective enough to frustrate Duran, and to the horror of the paying fans, to make him walk and inexplicably quit. Walking out of the fight, Duran did not allow Sugar Ray Leonard to get his just due... a redemption of some sort from winning in the traditional, hands-raised fashion.

Not too cool. Especially considering that this was a mega fight of that magnitude.

To this day, Roberto Duran cannot dismiss this single act as a non-factor that "defines", that DNA's his name, as it lines-up beside the names of the other greats. He might probably want to take that one back!

Sad that the same act has reminded most older fans of the sport as one of boxing's bad moments. Duran's worst moment is one of...
Roberto chose to quit rather than to lose to bitter rival Sugar Ray. It is way up there as to boxing's most perplexing moments. It is proper for a vanquished warrior to give his conqueror respect! This is what civility dictates, this is what men do.

Lastly, now, Roberto Duran in a boxing match against a PBF, the ultimate counter puncher... No question about the outcome, IMHO, Roberto will lose miserably, but the bigger question should be... Will he quit again?!