There is little doubt Roberto Duran was a great fighter. And as a lightweight, he may have been the greatest ever. But at welterweight, Duran had noticeable flaws. Though he may have gained some power as his weight rose, Duran was facing stronger, tougher opponents. And in his fights against Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns, he was susceptible to their power. If Duran had fits against Sugar Ray in their second fight, it is entirely conceivable that he would not have lasted against the first Sugarman, Ray Robinson. Sugar Ray Robinson (who was unquestionably the best ever at welterweight) had the attributes of Duran's three greatest rivals (Hagler, Leonard and Hearns). With a chin to boot, not to mention Robinson's knack for trading punches with arguably the most brutal punchers in the history of boxing, even the 'Hands of Stone' would have wilted under Robinson's barrages. I think Robinson would have won by a convincing knockout within the first half of a scheduled 12-15 rounder. This fight would have been fairly uncompetitive.

the 2 best ever,robinson was quicker,stronger and punched harder.i think duran would do better than lamotta.robinson by decision,8 rounds to 5 rounds..2 even rounds

Robinson is generally considered the best ever at 147,but with some close fights;two against Kid Gavilan,for example.and Duran is considered to be the best ever 1t 135.At 147,Duran fought two great fights against Hall-of-Famer's,Ray Leonard and Carlos Palomino;but is probably best remembered for hisno mas rematch with Ray Leonard,only five months after his great win over Leonard,in 1980.Would Duran no mas against Robinson,who was bigger and hit harder than Ray Leonard?Not likely. First,Duran wasn't the first fighter to have snapped.For example,in 1923,Benny Leonard,attempting to win the 147 pound title from Jack Britton,dropped Britton,then reached around the ref and hit Britton while he was down,deliberately fouling out of the fight.Leonard had already had the edge on Britton, in a non-title fight and several years ago,there was an article still speculating why it happened. Even if Robinson had too much of an edge in this one,he really was more of a fighter than Leonard,who really used excessive movement to beat a subpar Duran,who took poor care of himself between fights.