Pacquiao's straighter and faster punches would decide this fight - Duran would simply get outlanded. Manny's stamina seems so endless that I don't see even Duran's mauling slowing him down enough
I'm still takin Duran. Manos De Piedra was simply on another planet from Hatton, Cotto, and Marg. And two outta those three guys were able to find homes on Manny with right hands. Manny would land on Duran, but he wouldnt find Duran NEARLY as easy a target to find as Cotto, Hatton, Marg. And Duran's own quickness wouldnt give Manny quite as much breathing room. Its a BRUTAL, and competitive fight, but I see Duran taking over late and pulliing it out. Manny's chances against Chavez would be better. In fact, I think its now safe to favor Manny over Chavez at any weight above 135.
While that's certainly true, you have look at the fights. Pac absolutely dominated and wrecked each of them losing at most 3 rounds against all of them combined. If he struggled a lot against them it would be a different story.
This is a toss up. I think Duran is way too crafty for Pacquiao, and might find holes to slow down Pacquiao and win a decision, but Pacquiao's punches might close Duran's eyes or open a nasty cut or something. I would take Duran in a hard fought bloody 12 round split decision.
I honestly think this would be one of the best fights in boxing history. They share some similarities. Both small welterweights, both aggressive, vicious, versatile, with insane workrates and stamina, great accuracy, punch variety, and good chins. Pacquiao has faster hands and feet and is even more unpredictable, Duran is overall craftier and physically stronger. It's a pick em fight to me, I think it would be an awesome match, and be a fairly close decision either way.
I think Duran has the precise style needed to beat a welterweight Pac. I think he wins a 9-5-1 type classic. I think pac is well worthy of mention in this kind of bracket now though.
it's that same Pacquaio fighting today...you just can't tell because he hasn't fought any guys who can provide 1 degree of lateral movement
Duran via UD or possible late stoppage. He's a better boxer than Cotto, and has defense to make Manny miss. I see Duran controlling Pac with his jab, and man handling him inside, keeping him on the ropes and not letting Pacquiao work the spaces he likes to work.
Good fight... Pac at the very least is now a tough fight for basically anybody from 126-147 and beats a lot more than he loses to... but I love Duran's defense and more importantly his best weapon--- the right hand--- against Pac-Man... Duran takes over this one late, IMO
