You think that is overrated? Take a look at his record and the records of some of the men he beat.
Hell no. Duran was arguably the best lightweight ever and carried that ferocity to welter. Maybe you didn't pay attention to him until he fought Leonard but he beat some excellent champion fighters like Esteban Dejesus, Saoul Mamby, Pipino Cuevas, Carlos Palimino, Ken Buchanan, Davey Moore, Iran Barkley among others. He is the only man to take Marvelous Marvin Hagler to 15 rounds in a title defense and beat Sugar Ray Leonard while Leonard was in his prime. Duran was a great, great fighter. If you think he was overrated you simply don't know boxing, or you only saw him fight after his prime.
You don't know the man and you don't know what you are talking about. I grew up following Duran, among others fighting at a time when such matters which pre-occupy and are a big deal to fans of today such as pound for pound and ATG listings were farthest from the minds of boxers and fans alike. They just fought, including Duran and we watched and admired from the sidelines. Many of the fighters Duran faced and beat may be unfamiliar to you but they were known to boxing fans as among the best at the time when there was only one recognized world champion and breaking into the ranks of contenders was honor and achievement enough. Long list of unknown, my foot!
Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Benitez were still toddlers when Duran was already sowing havoc inside the ring in the late 60s, early 70s---the period where fans and boxers don't think of, or care much about many things modern-day boxers and fans are making much ado about but are not as important in the final real reckoning of boxing greatness.
Duran never intended to collect titles form the lightweight through the middleweights but he did it without much ado and fanfare. He was that good, great that he just can't be denied. He was never a product of astute match-making that produced many of today's so-called multiple champions.
No, he is not overrated, he was one of the all time great lightweights.
He fought long after his prime and above his best weight, which can cause people to doubt his abilities.
He beat all the lightweights before moving up. His longevity actually hurts his legacy.
In my opinion he was the best lightweight ever. He managed to keep winning way past his 'prime'
Yeah he's a basketball player. This is 'merica. And in 'merica we play football. If you don't like that then you can't get the *southparkquote* out.
he fought Hagler and Hearns, they're both atg i think.
Blaspheme , hang him
if you email me @www. youareoffyourhead.co.uk i'll explain everything
now this may be controversial but who exactly did he beat....he only fought a few good men and 1 atg (leonard) and didnt win clearly either...he does however have a very long list of unknowns he did beat...so is he really only rated because of longevity and commitment to the sport...
