Roberto Duran
A brutal puncher who scored incredible knockouts as a lightweight champion. Reigned for over 7 eyars, and many consider him the greatest lightweight of all time. Moved up two divisions, and while Ray Leonard respected his power, he was unable to drop or even hurt most opponents. By the time he was a middleweight, he was a distance fighter near;y every time out. Even the odd stoppage usually came from an accumulation of punches, not the big bombs he had at 135lbs. By the time the early 90’s came around, he managed to score some knockdowns, as his power had finally caught up to his size.
Hector Camacho
While moving up in weight is not usually blamed for Camacho’s lack of power, it is important to remember that at 130lbs, he scored knockouts, once he moved up in weight, he brought his speed, defensive ability, and chin. His power was gone. While many believe Edwin Rosario put the fear of punishment in the “Macho Man” with his power, even against lighter hitting fighters, Camacho fought in retreat, rarely harming anyone. It would appear his inability keep fighters off of him was as much the culprit for his safety first style as any residual effects from the “Chapo” escape.
Mike McCallum
The “Body Snatcher” did not lose the ability his nickname suggests, in a hall-of-fame career that spanned 154lbs to 175lbs. He did lose the effectiveness in finishing off his opponents, however. In his 154lb campaign, he was unbeatable, and usually stopped his opponents, early or late. Once up to Middleweight, though, the power fell off. It was virtually gone by the time he reached 175lbs. Perhaps a slower climb, and a stop at 168 would have allowed his body to catch up, but McCallum got a late start, and could not wait. His chin and abilities also meant he was never in danger of being stopped. However, once away from 154lbs, gone were the explosive KO’s like the ones he put on fellow world champions Julian Jackson and Donald Curry. He also did not make it any easier on himself, by fighting men like a prime Roy Jones and James Toney later in his career.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
