Could Roberto Duran have beaten Tommy Hearns in a rematch?

[GJC]

Duran apologists will claim that Duran was out of shape and not motivated to fight one of the best and biggest stars in boxing at the time,and yet he was motivated enough to poke a green Davey Moore in the eye.

Well not really interested in whether you think I'm a Duran apologist, I would note though that you make a good case for apologising for every opponent Duran beat.
As for poking a "green" Davey Moore in the eye, the guy was the defending world champion. If you are too "green" to defend it against all comers then don't fight for it in the first place. Did Duran take steroids or have loaded gloves? No, but if allowed by the referee he would bend rules to the limit, that's boxing, it can be a rough sport you know?
Like I said I never thought that it was a good style match up for Duran but at the time I was really looking forward to this fight between 2 of my favourite fighters of the time. As soon as Duran got in the ring I knew it wouldn't last long, he looked flat and listless. Wouldn't have minded seeing the fight with a good Duran in it as I think it would have been a good one. Do I think Hearns would have probably won? Yes.
Do I think that Hearns would knock a prime Duran out in 2 rounds? Doubt it, no one else ever did.

[mrboxer]

no,even if hearns had one hand tied to his back he still would of kayoed duran,look at the first fight duran could not even hit him higher than the belt,and when duran got hit with the right he was out before his jaw made an impression of his face,he was out like a light when he awoke,the announcer asked what happened and he mumbled i dont remember anything,no kidding he was out,duran is overrated and in my books if he were fighting today he would not even be in the top 50

[DeepSleep]

Hearns is all wrong for Duran. Still Duran has a punchers chance of landing a bomb but I wouldn't give him much of a chance.

[Suckmedry]

no,even if hearns had one hand tied to his back he still would of kayoed duran,look at the first fight duran could not even hit him higher than the belt,and when duran got hit with the right he was out before his jaw made an impression of his face,he was out like a light when he awoke,the announcer asked what happened and he mumbled i dont remember anything,no kidding he was out,duran is overrated and in my books if he were fighting today he would not even be in the top 50

you are the worst troll on the site, I have no idea why they haven't banned you.

[tanibanana]

Duran is way better than Hearns, problem though,
Hearns is Nightmare match-up for Duran..

[mrboxer]

i am not a troll,i just tell it like it is,duran is overrated

[Calilloyd]

You know, made the necessary adjustments?

or do u think Hearns was just a case of a bad style match up for him and a win over such fighter was never really possible?

I don't see Duran beating Hearns under any circumstances. The height and reach was too much and Duran could not walk through Hearns punches to get inside. At welterweight it would have been the same thing. I also don't buy that Duran was out of shape for that fight. That's a cop out. Every fighter has a nemesis and Hearns was for Duran.

[al22tec]

i also think Duran met his match with Hearns. Even if the fight was done earlier, the fight may be more competitive, but Hearns will still come out ahead.

[wrazorsharp]

Hahaha apparently you don’t know a whole lot about duran’s career to say that he would lose 10 out of 10 He beat the crap out of Barkley. Hearns could not beat him how many times ? . It all depends on what kind of mental state and preparation Duran has he’s the greatest fighter of all time, and he took this very lightly and he paid for it.

[them_apples]

if he showed up prepared he certainly has a chance. Obviously Hearns is the betting favorite, but people too readily write Duran off. He got caught early and never recovered, but even amongst that he actually stiffens Hearns up with a right hand. If he came out more cautious and the fight went a bit later, he certainly has a chance because Hearns defense isn't very good. No excuses here, but everyone knows Duran didn't even train for that fight. He was fresh off a SD loss to Hagler when Hagler was stopping everyone. Duran thought he was invincible.

I do think the odds are against him though, but Duran was an ATG fighter. you can never count him out.