All-time great Roberto Duran is one of the most beloved fighters to ever step inside the ring.
From being a Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Decade’ to handing Sugar Ray Leonard a devastating loss, Duran had a lengthy and memorable career.
With his career spanning an incredible 33 years, Duran stepped into the ring 119 times, winning 103 of those bouts. Given his unique and staggering record, Duran feels he is the greatest boxer of all time.
When asked to compare himself to a modern great, Duran said that he would defeat one of the best fighters of the 21st century.
Roberto Duran says he would defeat Floyd Mayweather if they ever fought
Talking about undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather, Duran said that he is the greatest fighter of all time, going against comments made by ‘Money,’ who claims he owns that title.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Duran said, “I am the number one,” when asked where he would rank himself among all-time, pound-for-pound greats of boxing.
When asked by the interviewer how he thought a fight between himself and Mayweather would go, Duran showed no hesitation. “Floyd Mayweather learned my style. If he fights me, I will defeat him.”
The interview was conducted when ‘Money’ was a 49-0 professional who had just retired in 2015. However, Mayweather would take on Conor McGregor in a huge fight two years later to finish his career at 50-0.
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Floyd Mayweather made his debut five years before Roberto Duran retired
Although both Mayweather and Duran are associated with much different eras, the two did have some career overlap.
Mayweather made his professional debut in 1996, while Duran retired in 2001. However, the two were in much different stages of their career during their mutual fighting years.
Duran’s final world title fight victory came in 1989 when he defeated Iran Barkley. As for Mayweather, he fought for his first world title in 1998, beating Genaro Hernandez.
However, both men defined their respective eras, and are both considered some of the greatest boxers of all time.