I don't know if it has been mentioned but before Duran even won the title he knocked out Ernesto Marcel who went to win the featherweight title. Duran was only 16-0 when he beat Marcel. Marcel retired after beating Arguello for that 126lb belt and while Duran was the lightweight champion, the retired Marcel had wins over the two reigning junior lightweight champs, Arguello and Sammy Serrano.
Another fact not mentioned often is that Durans dominance over the lightweight division not only included unifying the title and spending years as the undisputed champion, he also broke and held the record for consectitive knockouts(10) in title defenses for all weight classes. And that record stood for some time. If we were to ignore the fact he beat an undefeated Leonard and rose up to upset Davey Moore and Iran Barkley, and just gave him merit on his lightweight career, we would further understand why he was highly praised during and after his amazing lightweight championship years.
Another fact not mentioned often is that Durans dominance over the lightweight division not only included unifying the title and spending years as the undisputed champion, he also broke and held the record for consectitive knockouts(10) in title defenses for all weight classes. And that record stood for some time. If we were to ignore the fact he beat an undefeated Leonard and rose up to upset Davey Moore and Iran Barkley, and just gave him merit on his lightweight career, we would further understand why he was highly praised during and after his amazing lightweight championship years.
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