ESPN, the International Boxing Research Organization, Bert Sugar and any other boxing expert will tell you that Roberto Duran was the greatest fighter these last 30 years.
Duran was beat goods by the time he fought Leonard with a record of 72 wins 1 loss [against numerous hall of famers, not like JCC pick & choose].
Yet Duran beat him. Duran only lost to him when he was out of shape.
If Duran is Duran, then he wins via a 1 sided unanimous decision. If the fight takes place at lightweight, then Duran by tko round 8.
I can't see a man who was a monster at lightweight & had the balls to almost beat 1 of the greatest middleweights ever [prime Hagler] loosing to Oscar.
Hello my friend and again an interesting and thought provoking question. At his true best De La Hoya was a splendid fighter with excellent boxing skills, speed and power. One of the fighters that took on Duran in his career as a matter of fact reminds me of De La Hoya and that's Carlos Palomino at least style wise (hey that might be a match up to consider) Duran was a beast at lightweight of course and one of the most dynamic and exciting fighters of all time and when he moved up to welterweight which was only for a short time he did have a great night beating Sugar Ray Leonard and he was his usual intimidating self with that fierce determination and supreme confidence. Duran was great at counter punching and slipping and ducking punches as well and would have used these skills against De La Hoya who despite fighting a high level of competition, never fought anyone as great as Duran. Somehow I don't see this being a knockout and at times would be an entertaining and exciting fight with Duran's aggressiveness and will being the deciding factor.
Duran WUD15
Duran would KO him before round 7
De La Hoya wins by 12 round decision
not sure about that answer just thought i'd throw in there delahoya sucks!
Welterweight fight, prime De La Hoya vs the Duran who beat Sugar Ray Leonard. 15 rounds
