The fight that shoulda happened but didn't. Great style matchup, ....and don't let the Pryor fight influence your decision too much, cause it shouldn't .
I assume this is meant to be the Duran who fought De Jesus for the 3rd time in '78....so lightweight.... Vs. Arguello at lightweight in '81 when he hit his stride post-Ramirez and knocked everyone out? It's not a fight that "should" have happened historically....they never quite met in terms of being in the same weightclass or anywhere close. Arguello-Sanchez - now THAT should have happened. opcorn: But this IS one of the best Mytical Match-ups of all time....I rather prefer the PxP version to pit the 130 lb. Arguello vs. the 135 lb. Duran. But this is intriguing as well. This is a great match-up...and a tough one to pick; as I think both fighters have their moments in an explosive match-up that oscillates between hard, aggressive distance boxing and furious inside exchanges and toe-to-toe/phonebooth fighting. At 135 I favor Duran as he was in his absolute prime while Arguello was slightly past his, 30 yrs. old with more fights and in his 3rd "full-grown" division. I think Duran has the style to give Arguello just enough problems; especially with his mauling style and ability to chop opponents down to the body, rough them up and dial up the pressure late. Also, at distance, Duran's pull/roll 'n' counter right hand could give Arguello fits when he over-extended the jab or widened his left hook too much. Duran's short punches would work well on an Alexis who sometimes leaned in as well (see Mancini and Ramirez). However - Duran is going to have a hell of a time with Arguello's stiff, thudding jab at distance; and Alexis' right hand and 1-2 will snap Duran's head back and make it very hard for Roberto to come inside "clean". I think both men do very good work inside, especially with uppercuts....but you have to favor Duran's body attack and grinding style to make Arguello step back and try to keep the fight at mid/long-distance. Alexis expects Duran's uppercuts - I think Roberto is surprised by Arguello's and his other short shots and has to adjust. But adjust he does. I don't think either man stops the other. Duran by close but clear decision in an exciting, action-packed fight. Peace.
I know I'm alone on this but I think Arguello is the most overhyped "great" fighter of all time. He is not on the Chavez/Duran kind of level although stylistically he may do well against said fighters. Duran is not a second rate infighter, and he went life and death with alot of second tier brawlers in that type of fight. Duran by Late KO
That's just it...stylistically, Arguello does well against said fighters. I just don't think Duran actually stops him; and I do think Alexis has alot of good moments. Duran's defense and ability to slip punches sometimes gets a tad overrated. Peace.
Arguello isn't at all overhyped. Like many alltime greats, Arguello had his deficiencies: average handspeed, below average footwork and had a rough time against cutesy slick boxers(Vilomar Fernandez). Alot of Arguello's strengths and weaknesses were very similar to Trinidad's. But in his prime, Alexis Arguello was about as formidable as a fighter could be. I will say this.....Arguello benefited from the 15 round title bout distance, and 12 would have been somewhat of a hindrance to him I think.
Think about this...if Duran had faced Arguello before he moved up, still to this day the only guy who punched harder than Alexis shot for shot P4P woulda been Hearns. Duran never had to face a guy at lightweight that could put you to sleep at any time in the fight with one shot...like Alexis could. So while Roberto had one of the best beards in boxing history....it wasn't like he faced alot of punchers with the report of Arguello.
I daren't say it too loud but i actually agree. Arguello is one of my favourite fighters to watch because his punching technique and leverage is textbook, but I dont think hes as great as Duran or Chavez either.
You may not be able to help it...but Explosivo's right. They are different fighters. Brother Hut*Hut - MMs aren't about 'greatness', right? I pick Duran - but I think it's a hell of a fight and I don't think Arguello is stopped. Peace.
That seems to be a pretty damn good educated guess as to how that fight would/could have gone. Good post.
