Thanks to Santana's well written answer, Pernell Whitaker vs.?

Question

Roberto Duran who wins? Fight is at Lightweight instead of Welterweight. 15 rounds. In their prime.

I will start to revisit some match ups I've made in the past because it seems we have more hardcore boxing fans participating in the answers forum and I'd like their feedback also.

Smitty never said there wasn't politics in everything including boxing. Just don't want to hear about politics in the boxing forum. We can chat about politics in the appropriate forum.

Answer 1

Brent ~
Thanks for the cudos brother. Now you're talking, Roberto Duran at Lightweight was a complete animal who trained with such rigor and hatred unlike any fighter I have ever seen. This is atrue story. Blazing Saddles came out and Roberto saw the scene where "Mongo" knocks out the horse, Roberto loved that scene and told his friends to grab the mule down the street from his gym, they brought Roberto the mule, he wrapped his hand with the herringbone wrap and tape punched the mule and laid it out. This was a complete insight into Roberto Duran the lightweight.
Pernell Whitaker was just starting his career at Lightweight, he was fast and flashy and he was always the showboater. Pernells ring skills were by far superior to any fighter of that era. He had speed which was his power but he lacked a big punch at lightweight.
Roberto was legendary for getting into fighters heads before they actually fought and Whitaker would be no different, Roberto would mess with Pernells mind months, weeks, days and even hours before their fight.
Roberto was suprisingly fast a lightweight not nowhere near the speed as Whitaker, but he was quick and never tired. Roberto would take whatever Whitaker had to offer. Whenever he trapped Whitaker on the ropes he would punish him with a thunderous body attack, legal and illegal blows would be reigning upon Whitaker. Pernell would work his way out only to find himself rushed into the corner and the beating starts all over again. Do you remember the way Pernell would squat where his butt would almost hit the floor of the ring to avoid being hit by punches? Duran would hit him on top of his head, on his shoulder blades and you might have even seen an intentional knee to Pernell's face
Pernell was never prone to cuts, but Roberto would use his head, elbows, forearms and laces to do as much damage as possible to Whitakers face. Whitakers short rib and liver would get special attention and would be pounded unmercifully until the fight is stopped before the 13th round by his corner.
This fight would have embodied the whole 80's or 90's fight scene, this would have been a great, great fight.
Duran would own Whitakers soul at lightweight.
Brent, now this is what I'm talking about, hell of a match up buddy. Thanks for the simply awesome question...... Sorry Brent for using Ray's name at first, I got carried away.

Answer 2

I believe that Roberto Duran is the greatest lightweight in boxing history and his punching power enormous particularly at this weight. Whitaker is a fast and clever southpaw who would give Duran problems because of his style. In this fight I see a lot of close rounds with Duran landing hard counter punches and Whitaker attempting to stick and move, Duran would eventually corner him and land a volley of punches in the 9th round and force the referee to intervene. Great question Brent F!

Answer 3

If theres a term worse than monster thats the term I will use to describe Duran as a Lightweight.

Pernell is a very Slick boxer who's prime is in the welterweight.

but this fight will be close and I see Duran Forcing Pernell to trade instead of Pernell Boxing from the outside.

He will be force to fight Durans fight and will lose in a close but Unanimous decision.

Answer 4

Pernell is lighter and faster at Light wt. It is still a draw because of Whitaker's defensive prowess.

P.S. Brent do you now realize that there is politics in everything including boxing.