Is Roberto Duran the best lightweight of all time?

[Ben Bolt]

About myself, I'm always having a harsh time comparing boxers of different times, because their circumstances were so different to each others.

But was Duran a great lightweight? Hell, he was. Any fighter, answering two or three punches with a harder one, and by that being able to grind down an opponent, is such a sweet science of this sport. Duran was a master at it. And often, these kind of fights are the most watchable.

[soul_survivor]

About myself, I'm always having a harsh time comparing boxers of different times, because their circumstances were so different to each others.

But was Duran a great lightweight? Hell, he was. Any fighter, answering two or three punches with a harder one, and by that being able to grind down an opponent, is such a sweet science of this sport. Duran was a master at it. And often, these kind of fights are the most watchable.

Agreed entirely!

I'm often guilty of making lists and comparing fighters from different eras, it's fun. The reality however is that, in many cases it's very difficult. How would Duran have done in this modern age of fighters weighing in 140+ on fight night? And how would modern fighters have done weighing in at 135lb just hours before the fight?

Not to mention training regimens, work load, schedules, championship belts, quality of opposition etc etc etc

But, the greatest judge of a fighter are the eyes and from what I've seen, based on offensive skill set, there are few fighters who have been so brutal so strong, so adept at hurting another man. Of all the countless hours of boxing I have seen, only a prime Tyson, Pacquiao and Foreman really compare in terms of pure offensive brilliance. Unrelenting, unmerciful.

[SouthPawHitman]

If you don't have Duran #1 at LW then you don't know anything about boxing and you should feel very bad.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Agreed entirely!

I'm often guilty of making lists and comparing fighters from different eras, it's fun. The reality however is that, in many cases it's very difficult. How would Duran have done in this modern age of fighters weighing in 140+ on fight night? And how would modern fighters have done weighing in at 135lb just hours before the fight?

Not to mention training regimens, work load, schedules, championship belts, quality of opposition etc etc etc

But, the greatest judge of a fighter are the eyes and from what I've seen, based on offensive skill set, there are few fighters who have been so brutal so strong, so adept at hurting another man. Of all the countless hours of boxing I have seen, only a prime Tyson, Pacquiao and Foreman really compare in terms of pure offensive brilliance. Unrelenting, unmerciful.

Oh if they were forced to make weight at fight time, it would be totally different. It's sad the sport has slipped so far on this. Same day weigh-ins need to return which might end a lot of these dehydrated performances.

[McGoorty]

Any arguments against this?

Well I will have to disagree, I don't have him at one or even two, guys I rate above him are Benny Leonard and Joe Gans and maybe Young Griffo who was the greatest pure boxer of them all, no one could hit the guy he was so brilliant in defense, I see him as a featherweight mostly but it's plain he was often a lightweight, nobody was his equal. Leonard was also a boxing genius more skillfull than SRL and Gans is not a good matchup for Duran, all that skill plus dynamite power he is a nightmare. Packey McFarland was also a freak, probably the best fighter to never hold a title, some claim Les darcy and Young Griffo never were world champs but that is a lie. I am not dissing Duran in the slightest here we are simply talking about one of the deepest divisions ever I also think Henry Armstrong is possibly better than Duran at lightweight. Most of you Duran fans are blinded by the fact Duran is from our time and he is easy to access on film Dream Duran matchups I think are Duran vs Carlos ortiz.... Duran vs Canzoneri and Duran vs Barney Ross and Duran vs Jimmy McLarnin and of course Duran vs Armstrong would be a bloody barnstormer, I bet you would all love to see that fight

[McGoorty]

Omg

Oscar DeLaHoya was probably the greatest lightweight of all time,he took on all challenges in a short period of time and proved himself as the premier fighter in that division.
Shane Mosley is also one of the greatest lightweights of all time he was unbeaten at the weight.

OMG lol:3some::wank:

[McGoorty]

Lol

I am surprised no one has mentioned pernell whitaker. He is by far the most skilled fighter at lightweight. Head movement, footwork, combos, jab, defence. This guy would have given carlos ortiz major problems, and i know that in a head to head matchup he would beat benny leonard. Sorry, but pernell whitaker is the best lightweight that ever lived cuz he has the most skills. The guys he defended his welterweight belt against are better than the ones armstrong fought, hell didnt armstrong defend his belt against a guy with losing record, lol.

LOL this dude "KNOWS" Pernell beats up Benny Leonard... LOL we have had a few units here over the years haven't we.

[McGoorty]

Hector ?

My grandfather fought Duran in panama for the WBA lightweight tittle but he was ko'd in 8th of 15

Then your grandfather must be Hector Thompson,, I grew up hearing about him from my aboriginal mates and are you William Kickett ?

[RED REP]

Hands down the best ever at 135. Overall I rank him #3 p4p all time. The guy ruled 135 for a decade.

1. Robinson
2. Armstrong
3. Duran

He's not top 3 of all times, not a chance, top 10 is just about fine.

Harry Greb and Sam Langford were better pound for pound!

[RED REP]

Easily the best lightweight? I don't see how you can just put him head and shoulders above Leonard and Gans. As far as p4p....he doesn't have the resume to be in the top 5.

Well said!