Armstrong vs. Duran @ 140

[Dr. Z]

What fight! Who do you think wins?

[them_apples]

Always thought about this matchup.

I think Armstrong wins decisions over 12-15 rounds, UDs and SDs.

my reason for these close decisions is because

1. Armstrong is an inside only fighter - in all his fights across all weight classes he fights inside and gets inside.

2. Duran can fight on the inside and outside - but he never backs up and never turns down an inside fight. Armstrong who is very adapt at MAKING it an inside fight will have a welcome dance partner. Odds are Duran and Armstrong will fight inside for the majority if the fight.

3. Armstrong has an iron chin and durability, I see a low chance of Duran stopping him nullifying Durans power wildcard.

4. Armstrong won’t hit hard enough to stop Duran - and Duran is defensively savvy and hard to hit.

5. Armstrongs experience fighting inside tells me he outpoints Duran on the inside by close or wide decision.

[QueensburyRules]

- - Duran hands down…

[JAB5239]

Always thought about this matchup.

I think Armstrong wins decisions over 12-15 rounds, UDs and SDs.

my reason for these close decisions is because

1. Armstrong is an inside only fighter - in all his fights across all weight classes he fights inside and gets inside.

2. Duran can fight on the inside and outside - but he never backs up and never turns down an inside fight. Armstrong who is very adapt at MAKING it an inside fight will have a welcome dance partner. Odds are Duran and Armstrong will fight inside for the majority if the fight.

3. Armstrong has an iron chin and durability, I see a low chance of Duran stopping him nullifying Durans power wildcard.

4. Armstrong wonât hit hard enough to stop Duran - and Duran is defensively savvy and hard to hit.

5. Armstrongs experience fighting inside tells me he outpoints Duran on the inside by close or wide decision.

Respectable hypothesis. I don't disagree, but not sure i agree either. Duran is the harder, more accurate puncher with better defense. Certainly a tough fight to pick.

[Willie Pep 229]

It is a difficult match-up to think through because Armstrong style (using his head) would not carry today.

In today's world, Duran would constantly complain and the referee would have to take some sought of action.

If they met in 1938 it would be interesting to see if Duran could adjust to the constant head fouls.

But the game has moved on in technique and Armstrong's behavior would not be acceptable today.

It, like so many cross-era fantasy match-ups, just isn't a realistic fight to evaluate.

[The D3vil]

To me, this is right up there with Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Sugar Ray Leonard as the GOAT mythical matchup in history.

I have no idea.

Armstrong's volume & pressure would be hell, but Duran is an underrated defensive fighter

[billeau2]

Armstrong did not throw half the punches Duran could, but what he knew... He knew reflexively. I think he beats Duran, at least today I think so lol. Duran's biggest problem is how Armstrong can find a way to be in the right spot. His head was an example of that, when he would use it for leverage, but the real movement was to swing the shoulders under the punch using the weight of the head, while still punching while coming forwards. Armstrong's movements were always anticapatory, his head was always moving laterally. Unlike Loche, you COULD hit Armstrong... Just not flush!

This might be one of those times when we have to say: All else being equal, a swarmer with a first rate chin beats a fellow equally skilled puncher. Duran would have to knock Armstrong out.

[billeau2]

To me, this is right up there with Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Sugar Ray Leonard as the GOAT mythical matchup in history.

I have no idea.

Armstrong's volume & pressure would be hell, but Duran is an underrated defensive fighter

Ask yourself this question: "How does one 'defend' against Armstrong?" Lets make it interesting and say Marciano is a heavyweight version of Homicidal Hank. even if we grant Marciano all the attributes (or the sake of argument), even Marciano could not have the punch volume of a man weighing significantly less and even Marciano had to occasionally set up outside, or be tied up inside. Armstrong could seldom if ever be tied up. He did not brook the inconvenience of a defense, which might make him have to slow down... Rather he kept moving in anticipation of any punches coming his way, moving off a lateral angle to the opponent while virtually never stopping his attack coming forwards. He was almost impossible to fight against.

[Mr Mitts]

Duran easily.

[them_apples]

The thing is, Armstrong stands in a league of his own when compared to any lightweight Duran ever faced. Based on his record, accomplishments, and unique style, Armstrong is clearly a step above. He was renowned for his incredible durability—both physically and mentally—boasting an iron chin and an unbreakable will. At his peak, he was said to run 20 miles a day in camp and had an astonishingly low resting heart rate, a testament to his unmatched conditioning.


Armstrong’s style was relentless. He smothered opponents, slipped and rode punches with precision, and arguably did so as effectively as, if not better than, Duran. Where Duran holds an edge is in punching power, which likely comes down to their body mechanics. Armstrong, with his shorter legs and powerful upper body, was naturally off-balance and built for close-range combat, thriving in those inside exchanges. Duran, on the other hand, had a natural balance and leverage that allowed him to generate more precise, powerful punches.


However, where Duran would struggle is in preventing Armstrong from engaging in his preferred inside fight. While Duran was an excellent inside fighter, Armstrong was simply better and vastly more experienced in that style of combat. I doubt Duran would be able to hurt Armstrong significantly enough to shift the tide. For a prime example of Armstrong’s resilience, look at his face after 15 grueling rounds against Fritzie Zivic. It’s a testament to the kind of firepower Armstrong was willing—and able—to endure while maintaining his relentless pace.
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