Toughguy, I take my hat off to you bro, this one is quite possibly the best fantasy match up I have read on Yahoo Boxing's site in years. I have no idea who to pick, I simply cannot find any real weakness's or flaws in either of these two that the other could exploit. Whitaker's weakest link would have been his lack of power and Duran's chin in spite of the Hearns KO was usually granite. If Roberto could go 15 with Hagler, he would go 15 with Whitaker as well. Duran's pressure against Whitakers defensive counter punching would make for the fight of the century.
I apologize for the cop out, but I gotta call this one a draw. Duran would have been a very slight favorite, but it could just as easily been Whitaker the difference is so small, and given how well Whitaker's style played out against Chavez Sr. and DeLa Hoya it's truly impossible to really side with either fighter over the other. Man I wish this one would have happened it would have been one for the ages.
I'd go with Duran because he was a beast and at his strongest at 135. His power was too much for any lightweight at that time, and it would be too much for Sweet Pea who's not used to a brawl or a slugfest. Duran would bring him PAIN. Pea would probably get the first 4 rounds through his masterful boxing, but I see Duran putting the pressure beginning the 5th and outpunching Pea from then on, and winning by TKO in the 12th (of 15) as Pea wears down from too much punishment.
I think if Roberto Duran was in his prime he would of beat Whitaker. I know lots of people are going to disagree with this.
not to take any credit away from whitaker but duran as a lightweight was a animal
15 rounds
