Could it be argued that Duran vs Palomino was better than against Leonard

Few thoughts;

Duran consistently bullied around a very big man in Palomino, and basically cancelled out his left hook to the body by bracing himself well or just braving it and taking it. Duran set the pace with his jab and his laser-like right hand dropped the iron chinned Palomino. I rate it amongst Duran's best wins; not only was he dominant but Palomino is in my eyes very, very good.

Now; Ray Leonard, whilst different stylistically, is a far superior opponent to Palomino. Duran's win over Leonard is amongst the best I've ever seen when you take into account all the variables.

The fight is at times scrappy, especially towards the last five rounds, which are still close but with both men on the wane after a tough first ten rounds (they obviously both still have their moments)

of course the Palomino fight was only ten rounds; Duran is mean-spirited and high-flying throughout, showing amongst the best ring generalship he ever has and dominating Palomino IMO, on the inside/outside.

So, to answer your question; one of Duran's best wins no doubt, and a very underrated one IMO. Dropping an iron chinned fighter gets Duran extra points.

The 1st win over Leonard, whilst scrappier in places and surrounded in fanboy controversy (the whole 'Leonard made a mistake in fighting the wrong fight' b.s) is Duran's most iconic and hardfought win IMO. A fight for the ages.

Good thread :good

 

I haven't seen the Palomino fight but I doubt Duran was more up for Palomino than Leonard. It is easier to look better fighting Palomino than arguably the best WW of all time in Leonard

 

Don't bother commenting then :good

 

Naw........... Palomino was faded and tired of boxing by 1979, while SRL was "beginning" to peak at 147 in '80............. Duran beat a much better Leonard in Montreal than Palomino was up in New York the year before......

MR.BILL

 

Duran-Palomino is one of the best showcases of skill in the history of the sport. Might be my favourite fight of his.

 

Good to see others rate it as highly as I do:good

 

I was a SRL "Fan" from the '76 Olympics, but I was following Duran very closely as he moved up from Lightweight looking for a fight with Ray.

I watched the Duran-Palomino fight on closed circuit, and Carlos still had his ex-champ, Mexican pride.

It was then, I knew SRL was in trouble if he fought Duran.

 

Palomino-Duran just might be my favorite Duran fight..because its over 10 rounds and I can pop it in over breakfast or something I have watched many, many times. Probably as much as any fight.

Excellent display from Duran, one of his best and probably the most well rounded you are going to see him.
Palomino was not faded IMO..he is one of those rare examples of a fighter who retired in his prime, I feel when he realized he would not regain his spot in the division with guys like Benitez, Duran and Leonard around. Thought he have a dig at acting instead.

Carlos did lend well to his style though..this must be taken into account IMO. But probably the most remarkable thing is the way he manhandled the bigger, and bullstrong Palomino and rocked his very solid chin on several occasions.

A fight of Duran's that showcases why I think he epitomizes the ulitmate fighter..He was strong, fast , skilled, methodical and straight up badarse. Showed just about every aspect of why I think he is one of the greatest fighters who ever breathed.

 

it's also the only time i've seen larry merchant kind of in awe of a fighter as he seemed to be that night. When he said he thought Duran would be considered one of the greatest fighters ever, it was pretty cool. Duran from the third DeJesus fight to Leonard 1, w/ the exception of Zeffie gonzales, was an awesome fighter to watch and seemed to get better than even his great days as a lightweight. It is like all the experience came togetehr for the perfect blend of as S.I said."fury and Finesse.".:smoke

 

Seeing this thread about Duran 'n Palomino, couldn't help but re-post this incident to remind those who see a grinning Duran now who he was:

When he was training to fight Carlos Palomino at Madison Square Garden, he worked-out at Howard Albert's gym, an old factory loft in the Garment Center, just a few blocks from the new Garden.

It was summertime, and sweltering. Every Latino worker in the area-- and their families -- would go to watch their hero train at lunchtime.

The gym was a steam room -- jammed cheek-to-jowl with the adoring. They pressed so close, Duran barely had room to do floor exercises. After that, he jumped in the ring to shadow box.

Spanning what looked like a crowded subway car, you could see chests swell – faces beaming with pride. Plump mothers holding babies in their arms stood at the ring apron, while their little ones looked up saucer-eyed at this God.

In the midst of this lovefest, somebody in the back -- unbelievably! -- kept shouting at Duran in Spanish: "PIPINO CUEVAS WILL KILL YOU!

Duran paid him no mind and continued to shadow box. But the heckler was relentless: "PIPINO CUEVAS WILL KILL YOU! "PIPINO CUEVAS WILL KILL YOU!”

Finally, Duran fixed him with a glare, stretched as far over the ropes as he could -- just above the glowing faces of mothers and cherubs -- and yanked down his trunks, grabbed his nuts, and roared in Spanish: "PIPINO CUEVAS CAN SUCK MY ****!

 

Watched both of these this week. Both tremendous performances by Duran, but I think you have to give the nod to the Brawl as the more supreme effort. Fifteen rounds, against a truly special opponent, and most importantly in a fight that had real ebb and flow. Ray was building momentum in the middle rounds after taking serious punishment early, and then Duran caught his second win and slammed the door shut. Palomino was game, but was almost completely taken out of the fight by Duran's superiority on the inside.

"Better performance" is a fluid idea though, it all depends on what you value more. Duran - Palomino was an awesome showcase of Duran's style, no question.

 

Yep, just read that in "Hands of Stone". :rofl

I was wondering what the crowd reaction to that must have been...

Also, you've got to love how Duran starts barking at Benitez immediately after the bell rings to end the first Leonard fight. He played up his image something fierce.

 

No, purely because Leonard had more to challenge Duran with and elevated him because of it. Duran certainly showcased his infighting abilities and speed with the straight right hand against Palomino. Against Leonard, he did that AND took Leonard's jab away, avoided his best shots, forced the fight, hit a more elusive target constantly nullified him on the inside etc.

He also looked good against Monroe Brooks (despite being out of shape), but that's not considered a great performance because Brooks < Palomino, and couldn't test him as thoroughly. Same thing here.