Who Was the Better Inside Fighter?

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Both were tremendous. It's very hard to pick one. They may be the best smaller inside fighters ever.

I'll go with Duran since there is more footage.

[rightsideup]

i tend to agree especially about the footage. frankly even the footage of some of durans early career is not really that good. I am wondering if when armstrong lost his title to Fritzie zivic if henry was past his prime or did fritzie just have the right style to beat henry

[Tony Trick-Pony]

i tend to agree especially about the footage. frankly even the footage of some of durans early career is not really that good. I am wondering if when armstrong lost his title to Fritzie zivic if henry was past his prime or did fritzie just have the right style to beat henry

I figure a combination of both.

From what I have read, Zivic got away with several fouls as well.

It was a hard pick, though. Armstrong was amazing on the inside. Such a high work rate as well.

Duran may have been a bit slicker, but he didn't have quite as much energy as "Hammering" Hank.

I'd rather watch either one of them fight than any fighter nowadays. Inside fighting has become much too scarce.

[rightsideup]

I figure a combination of both.

From what I have read, Zivic got away with several fouls as well.

It was a hard pick, though. Armstrong was amazing on the inside. Such a high work rate as well.

Duran may have been a bit slicker, but he didn't have quite as much energy as "Hammering" Hank.

I'd rather watch either one of them fight than any fighter nowadays. Inside fighting has become much too scarce.

i believe robinsons first or second fight was on the undercard of Armstrong zizic and he wanted to fight fritzie right away to get revenge for henry who was his idol. he did but a little later than he wanted

[Tony Trick-Pony]

i believe robinsons first or second fight was on the undercard of Armstrong zizic and he wanted to fight fritzie right away to get revenge for henry who was his idol. he did but a little later than he wanted

Well, he was one great idol to have. That guy was a punching machine. Must have been something to see him fight live.

[BennyST]

From the footage I have seen, Duran just had more variety and things he was able to do inside. Whether it was the best of Armstrong is certainly up for question, but you can only go on what is available.

Even the 'energy' argument is up for debate in my opinion. I don't think I've ever seen anyone with more stamina that fought as hard and as skilled as Duran. To be able to keep it up for 15 non stop, hard rounds with amount of power, upper body and head movement, and combination punching he used was staggering. I've seen people equal it maybe for straight up stamina and punching volume, but I've never seen anyone surpass the ferocity he showed with such offensive and defensive variety.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

From the footage I have seen, Duran just had more variety and things he was able to do inside. Whether it was the best of Armstrong is certainly up for question, but you can only go on what is available.

Even the 'energy' argument is up for debate in my opinion. I don't think I've ever seen anyone with more stamina that fought as hard and as skilled as Duran. To be able to keep it up for 15 non stop, hard rounds with amount of power, upper body and head movement, and combination punching he used was staggering. I've seen people equal it maybe for straight up stamina and punching volume, but I've never seen anyone surpass the ferocity he showed with such offensive and defensive variety.

They were definitely both high energy. I guess I was thinking of Duran's later days rather than when he was at lightweight and moved like lightning.

And yes. I wish there was more footage on both of them. I can't get enough of watching either.

If this two got it on, I have to admit, I pick Duran in one of the best fights of all time that likely goes fifteen rounds and ends on a close decision for "Hands of Stone".

[Tom Cruise]

They are both exceptional.

Duran is probably better technically. He could block and slip punches better and work his way in without taking as much damage. Duran also has the edge in punching power.

Armstrong on the other hand was just a force of nature during his prime. His chin, workrate, speed, stamina were off the charts. He was also a good technician who had a great understanding of how to create space and angles on the inside and get leverage from short punches.

A fight between these two would be ridiculous. Durans better technical ability and his effectiveness at different ranges would probably give him enough to take the fight, but you be sure Armstrong is taking him to hell and back first.

[McGoorty]

This is not easy, i think Henry had the better inside ability to a point, I think Duran has significantly better punching power and can hit hard with short punches, Armstrong is all about wearing you out and getting you into his zone and a genius at it, he wasn't very clean but i don't think it was all deliberate but surely he knew the tricks, here again I think Duran is more willing to do whatever it takes and it;s all deliberate, not accidental whereas it is simply Henry's style that makes head clashes inevitable, i think Duran can also get from being inside yet get back out and fight where he wants to. As for fighting Fritzie Zivic that guy was a savage when we get to deliberate fouls and Henry had problems with fritzie there as Fritzie is taller.... in fact a fighter i am sure Duran would have admired (but never admit it).

[just the facts]

Not for nothing, but don't forget Chavez in this conversation.