WTF? We're talking about the same Duran who beat Leonard in Montreal? That Duran is in a different ballpark, league, and sport from Trinidad. Manos De Piedra makes Tito his bitch in 9. @people talking about Duran as though he's Maurice Blocker or Yory Boy Campas. Duran's defense is being criminally underrated here.
He didn't shoulder roll and potshot....wasn't on his bike fighting in a flashy style...the FloydIdiots and the like only view that as "defense."
I'm the premier so-called "FloydIdiot" on this site, and I say that Duran had a good defense. Having said that, his style and relative physical limitations (heigh and reach)may have played into Tito's hands at 147. Duran had great D, no doubt, but he wasn't the cagey saftey first jabber/mover/blocker that seemed to trouble Tito (who needed to be set to punch). Duran aint suddenly getting on his toes and pumping out the jab. He's agressive with Tito. There's always the possibility that Trinidad begins to light up his ass with left hooks and crippling accurate two-fisted power. Tito, was afterall, a bigger man than Duran and next to Hearns the most powerful fighter he would have faced. I pick Duran by close decision or possible late stoppage but a Tito late KO win wouldn't surprise me either...
Tito was unbeaten at 147, complete stud at the weight. I wouldn't call any fighter, a "different" class than Tito. 41 fights in his prime, with only one loss to the greatest MIDDLEWEIGHT of the generation.
Oscar is also the only thing approaching a top level fighter on his 147lb resume. Oscar beat him. Naseem Hamed went 16 featherweight title fights unbeaten before losing to the only top level fighter he fought at the weight. Just sayin'.
Duran was a fucking BRILLAINT defensive fighter at his best... saying anything less is simply INCORRECT
No he didn't he won some early rounds than ran around the ring like an idiot and rightfully dropped the last 4. Tito deserved to win that fight. Naseem was also a great fighter. Not seeing the point. He just wasn't on his game against MAB.
Beyond that, Tito's troubles are from big fighters that can outbox him. Tito was much, much larger than Duran. Bigger than Leonard in fact. Swarming Tito was never a good idea. He's not going to be able to back him up.
at the idea of ANYONE, even Hex One, thinking that plodding bum would stand a chance against Duran. Duran would absolutely dominate him.