Roberto Duran vs. Manny Pacquiao, 15 rounds at Lightweight (135 lbs.). Who wins and why?

Robert has a point, Duran dominated 135 but had the skill and tenacity to win titles at 147, 154, 160 and even 168. As spectacular a slugger as Manny is, I don't think Pacquiao could pole axe Duran like Hearns did, and Roberto was a gifted boxer as well as an intimidating slugger. I think Duran would have found a way to avoid Pacquiao's straight left and out box Manny, much like Eric Morales did. Duran was much more that a crushing puncher at lightweight, Roberto was also a gifted boxer and knew when to box, when to slug. I think Duran was a more well rounded fighter than Pacquiao and would have brought a level of ability that surpassed any of the greats Manny has fought.

Duran would have duplicated Singsurat and TorriCampo's feat and KOed Manny Pacquiao. Styles make fights, and Manny would have been too brave for his own good. Duran would have got him mid way into the fight and KOed the slugging southpaw.

Duran would put him to sleep in the first 3 rounds easily.

1. Duran had a lot more experience.

2. Duran hits too hard for pacquaio.

3. Duran is quite possibly the best brawler of all time and we all know pacquaio loves to go head and head.

4. Pacqauio is a horrible counter puncher.

Duran owns pretty much anyone at lightweight, including Pacquiao. Bonus 1. 15 wouldn't make much of a difference. I don't think Pac would go the distance with Duran anyway, and would be stopped inside of 12. Bonus 2. School is in session.

Even Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Duran would win.

Duran is stronger without a doubt, but again he has had his flaws that were able to be exploited by another great fighter, Sugar Ray Leonard. Although he has great speed, I still don't think it can match Pacquiao's so that'll play a factor as well. Most of you are talking about the Pacquiao of old who fought Erik Morales, truth be told, that Pacquiao is nothing compared to the Pacquiao of today. Although I don't think Pacquiao can beat him alone, Freddie Roach would find a game plan for Manny and he would follow it to perfection. Then it may even become another "No Mas Fight".

Duran because he was quick and landed bone crushing punches, and he has the advantage of having gone fifteen rounds in many fights.

manny speed power and stamina will take a Duran that never took his boxing career that serious. Manny KO Duran just like he did to Hatton in late rounds. Duran had a reputation of running out of gas late rounds.

Duran is too big, tough, and strong for Pac.

I think no one beats Duran at 135.

Duran would win for sure. he would be so big and so strong. He was also just a dominant fighter at that weight class. He was undefeated in that weight class in fact. His losses came at 147 and above. Little guys at 10 and 112 KO'd Pacquiao and he was out boed at 130 by Erik Morales. Manny is 8-1 in the 130-135 range. I think Duran wins because he would work for the openings in Manny's defense and dominate in the weight class which is more his home.

I also read this on Marco Barrera.com and thought the guy made great points on why Duran would win. Read:

first of all, everybody makes a big deal of pacquiao started at 106 and ending (currently) at 130. nice feat but duran started his career at 119 which is a pound over bantamweight. the heaviest he weighed for a fight was 176 lbs. in 1999, at 48 years old!!! he lost a decision to a younger argentine boxer. that's a whopping 57 lbs!!!

2. everybody makes a great deal that pacquiao came up in weight and beat morales (albeit) morales was on a steep downslide by then, he beat barrera who was not prepared and undertrained, and marquez who by the way gave pacquiao a nice and neat lesson in boxing 101 style. while pacquiao was going up in weight, he was fighting older, not in their primes anymore fighters.

3. duran's record was 72-1 up until the second sugar ray leonard fight. he held the lightweight title for about 7 years with 12 successful defenses. on his way to heavier weights, he fought sugar ray leonard, marvin hagler, thomas hearns, davey moore, carlos palomino, hector camacho, wilfredo benitez, pipino cuevas, iran barkley and william joppy just to name a few. what did these fighters have in common? they were all YOUNGER than duran. he is a smaller guy fighting YOUNGER fighters in heavier weight classes. he may have lost to the top three (hagler, leonard, hearns) but HE was the smaller and older guy fighting those in their prime legends.

FIGHT ANALYSIS:

sure pacquiao is fast and all that but it's not like duran never fought a fast fighter himself. in fact he fought faster better fighters like leonard and esteban de jesus who would have murdered pacquiao. in the first round, pacquiao would have come out left, left, right and duran would have countered that bit with some real bombs of his own. it would be a slugfest in the first and pacquiao would have been lucky to survive that round but since i like pacquiao alot i'll give the benefit of the doubt and give him unto the 3rd round. by this time pacquiao would have had spaghetti legs and duran would have gone for the kill.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

pacquiao is a nice little fighter with alot of heart (not much talent) but he would have been devoured by duran. this is not berating pacquiao it's just that it's utterly comical to compare these two where in fact there is no such comparison.

geeez, this question gives a damn headache. 3 out of 5 pacman, only because of his dicipline and patience.not to mention speed and 135. manny will counter all they long too.i feel the durans style will be vulnerable to pacmans right hook but watching duran fight is like boxing heaven( pacs too) and i just cant see pacman sweeping with wins vs duran. 51% pac 49% duran. i can only wish they fought in the same era.

i just dont see pacman saying no mas to anyone.