I think this is a fun question because Duran could've reigned a very very long time at lightweight! However, is anybody prepared to put a number on this? Also the Duran of 1978, that unified the title and so beautifully defeated Dejesus, defeats ever single lightweight that ever walked the planet since the dinosaurs-from Benny Leonard to Pac-man, it doesn't matter. Let me outline some of the more prominent features of Duran's career to help you decide this question.
How many of you know that Duran set records for the most number of title defenses in his class and set the outright record for most consecutive KO's in title defenses. He is also the only lightweight to ever have won the middleweight crown and his win over Leonard is the single most brilliant and dazzling performance by any boxer in the history of the sport. His win of the welterweight crown exhausts all superlatives. As someone put it, "it was the greatest act of athletic heroism".
How many of you know that Duran set records for the most number of title defenses in his class and set the outright record for most consecutive KO's in title defenses. He is also the only lightweight to ever have won the middleweight crown and his win over Leonard is the single most brilliant and dazzling performance by any boxer in the history of the sport. His win of the welterweight crown exhausts all superlatives. As someone put it, "it was the greatest act of athletic heroism".
