> Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Roberto Duran?

Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Roberto Duran?

Posted at: 2015-04-20 
Predictions. Unbiased and a round by round analysis would be appreciated if you have the time. Thx

Floyd Mayweather has employed his highly successful style of defensive master boxing from the junior lightweight up to his current fighting weight classes where he has faced and defeated fighters of assorted styles (boxers, boxer-punchers, boxer-counter punchers, punchers ) so I don't think he will fight differently against Duran at lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight. Therefore, the onus would be on Duran to try to unravel the enigma of Floyd's seeming impregnable style and impose his own style on Floyd.

Duran had almost everything desirable of a fighter---courage, intensity, strength, composure, etc. But Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez exposed weaknesses that they exploited in beating him. His lack of patience.and inability to adjust/improvise against smart, mobile, excellent boxers. Later in his career, aging Vinnie Pazienza and Hector Macho Camacho, both smart defensive boxers also exploited those in beating Duran.

I think Floyd would have exploited those weaknesses too to beat Duran by close UD at 135, 147 and 154 lbs.

Duran looked very good against certain types of opponents but he could also look very bad against some special types of fighters. Why, Duran even lost to Robbie Simms, Luigi Minchillo and Kirkland Laing who were just average boxers.

Above welterweight Mayweather gets a decision, Duran really slowed down above 147lbs.

At welterweight Duran wins by decision if he is Duran.

At lightweight Duran knocks Floyd out, he would pressure Floyd like Castillo on steroids.

At LW, Duran, any other weight PBF. All fights would be great, Benitez who was a defensive wizard beat Duran but again that wasnt at LW. So if it was to be at LW, Duran, anything higher PBF wins.

Quick Answer: NO = Floyd could not beat Roberto Duran had they fought in the same era.

Reasons:

1. Sugar Ray Leonard could beat Duran. Speed, timing, intelligence, hand-work, foot-work, etc. were at Leonard's employ during those fights!

2. Floyd could NOT beat Duran because Floyd lacks that certain "something" that Leonard has as an elite boxer. The moment they stepped in the ring Roberto would SEE that missing in Floyd's scared eyes! Roberto would KO Floyd by rounds 7-8! You see Sugar Ray Leonard had no fear and he used his gritty intelligence, speed, and foot-work to counter Duran's fierce power and will. Those missing skills [in Floyd] would for a fact lead to Mayweather Jr being KO'd BY EITHER Leonard or Duran.

Early to Mid-Round Details:

A. Early on Floyd would try to dance around, show off his foot-work and defense. Duran would have NONE OF THAT, literally battering Floyd's shoulder during his constant-shoulder rolls! Duran would pummel Floyd's body and if Floyd tried to evade, Roberto would put him in a corner with unceasing body shots! Roberto would show NO respect to Floyd in the ring and because of that Duran would GET-INTO-FLOYD'S HEAD QUICK!

Make Floyd think "Damn I should have talked to my camp first before taking this fight!

B. Roberto Duran would put Floyd in pain flat on the canvas 1-3X in rounds 1-5, literally breaking his shoulder whenever Floyd employed that shoulder roll! Duran would KO Floyd by rounds 7-8.

C. Again: Roberto KOs Floyd by round 7-8. Floyd exits the ring with broken ribs and shoulder.

D. Floyd has NEVER faced a fierce power-hitter like Duran: never!

**~ the closest Floyd got to facing Duran-esque power was between 2009-2011, but his camp ducked & dodged out of THAT fight with prime-Pacquiao.

Predictions. Unbiased and a round by round analysis would be appreciated if you have the time. Thx