I think a motivated Duran beats Floyd at any weight, however, Floyd's chances improve the higher the weight. Floyd's best chance is at 154, I think. At 135, he gets his ass kicked. Duran was Castillo times 15. At 147, Floyd gets his ass kicked by the Duran that beat Palomino, and Leonard. At 154, Floyd stands his best chance, but when I consider the trouble he had with a faded Cotto, and not even a prime Cotto could hold a candle to Duran. I think Duran is just all wrong for Floyd at any weight, and there's a number of reasons for this, but I'm too lazy to type out stylistic breakdowns at the moment . Floyd would at least have a good chance at the height weights, which is more than I can say for Pac. I wouldn't give Pac a snowball's chance in Hell at beating Duran.
Honestly, neither is an easy opponent to the other at any point of their careers, saying otherwise is just wrong. At lightweight I could see Duran's victory, especially if we are talking about that inexperienced version of PBF that fought Castillo. Floyd wasn't young or raw in that fight, but he had shone at super feathers, and in the first lightweight fight he overrated himself and was surprised by Castillo's strength. Had Duran tackled him in that fight, no question Duran would have won. However, for them to be the same size this should be super-feather Floyd vs lightweight Duran, and that is a very even fight as both were in their peak. Floyd of course never met anything like lightweight Duran, but then again Duran wasn't having easy time with anyone nearly as good. Floyd at super feather could also punch hard (and move more), which most people now have forgotten. In the higher weight classes I think Floyd was able to develop his fighting style more, whereas Duran remained like the same fighting machine he always was. I think Floyd could find a way to win, whereas I am not sure if Duran could adapt to everything Floyd can offer. Still, no certain winners in any weight
I'd be tempted to go with Mayweather at 154... But I believe Duran on top of his game beats him at every other weight. Would be very competitive.
The best match would take place at 135 where Mayweather was truly ATG material... I just don't like his style to beat Duran... He'd be extremely competetive but I see him outworked and surprised by Duran's defensive acuity
Duran had problems with pure boxers. Floyd is up there with Benitez, Pep and Whitaker in terms of defense. Floyd beats him.
Style makes fight, Floyd has trouble with a busy, fearless Inside fighter who can manhandle him on the inside. That's how Burton was able to bloody his nose and make him work , how Castillo arguably beat him and how someone as limited as Baldomir made him work for the W. Duran is far above those guy's and I expect him to beat Floyd, not necesseraly because he's better though.
Duran at 135 & 147, Floyd at 154. I don't think it'd be an "asskicking" by any means though, at 135 it would be a great fight.. I don't like using the Castillo fight for a bar because Floyd had an injured shoulder & broken hand in that fight (and still won anyway). Nevertheless, he wouldn't be able to hold off or deal with a 135 lb Duran. All fights go the distance, of course.
what i dont get is the picking of duran at welterweight but mayweather jr at 154? what the fuck is the difference. mayweather was surely in the 140s on fight night vs alvarez and probably finished the fight at 147 or less lbs.
Well I guess it depends which version of Duran shows up. But I tend to think that at 154 Duran was enough on the downside that Mayweather could have taken advantage of him, judging by some of his performances at that weight. Be that as it may, at their best, it's still Duran for me. Competitive but clear decision victory I believe.
it's not about the 154 version of mayweather, it's about the 154 lb version of duran.. inconsistent, overweight, lazy, and even at his best considerably diminished from his lw/ww days
But still enormously superior to Canelo Alvarez in every conceivable way I wouldn't pick Canelo over Kirkland Laing unless the fight was in Canelo's territory and the judging was guaranteed to be rigged Who else did Duran fight at that weight? Hearns? LOL... Davey Moore would whup Canelo... Benitez? Obvious pick I'm not ready to say Mayweather is a better junior middleweight than Roberto Duran when his opponent is the kind of overhyped stiff that could only be a PPV headliner in a wasteland like this ... I would expect a fighter of Duran's class to clean up the same way Mayweather currently is and then some
but the question is, would mayweather jr lose to kirkland laing, davey moore, or the 154 lb benitez (he obviously stands 0 chance against hearns)?
He might, considering the size and age disadvantage he'd be at. I don't think there's anything certain about it, though. The Floyd who fought Hatton would beat Benitez at any weight, imo.
Hard to beat someone more conclusively than whipping them pretty much every round & then KO'ing them. A better point for your argument is that Floyd would probably get shellacked by Hearns (whereas Benitez was competitive)
Mayweather-Benitez is a 50-50 fight... I think at 140 would be the best fight... It wouldn't be all that exciting but a great chest match. Could see either guy winning. No way Mayweather beats Leonard or Hearns, though.
