Legendary trainer-turned-analyst Teddy Atlas has predicted the outcome of an intriguing fantasy clash between Floyd Mayweather and Roberto Duran.
Known for his impressive defensive style, Mayweather remained unbeaten for the duration of his decorated professional career, capturing world titles in five weight classes before announcing his retirement from the sport in 2017.
As for Duran, the Panamanian icon proved himself to be one of the greatest fighters of all time throughout his storied career. He became a world champion in four weight divisions along the way, racking up victories over the likes of Iran Barkley, Carlos Palomino and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Atlas offered an insight into who he believes would have been victorious in a fantasy match-up between the legendary duo.
“I’m going to pick Duran. At the end of the day, body work, relentless, aggression. He’s smart too. You have to be smart if you’re going to beat someone as smart and as high IQ as the genius Mayweather, you have to be.
“I’m going to say with all those things, Duran would have flown his jab a little bit, he did it with Buchanan, he would have jabbed to the chest, just to stabilise Floyd. At the end of the day I’m going to go with Duran pushing the fight, Duran in control being the boss a little bit.
“I’m not saying that Mayweather is going to be relegated to just surviving, but a little bit more surviving than fighting. At the end of the day I’m going to go Duran unanimous decision.”
Duran remains one of the few fighters in boxing history whose career had stretched across five decades, spanning between 1968 and 2001.
At the peak of his tenure, ‘Hands Of Stone’ became a member of ‘The Four Kings’ alongside former rivals Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler, a legendary quartet who took boxing by storm during that golden era.
