Different types of games are always difficult to compare... For instance, you rarely see Squall maneuver to attack. Dante is always jumping, double jumping, pistol-hovering, and flying.

Squall has more hit points than Dante, but there has to be some sort of translation to make them at least similar in that aspect. My general rule of thumb is to decide who I think, in real life, would be stronger. I am almost positive that Dante would be stronger, thus I allot him more hit points. (Perhaps he only gets slightly more hit points. That is all arbitrary really.)

The only aspect of Squall's fighting that you see that involves speed is the ability to dodge an attack. That ability is purely done by statistical means. However, Dante can dodge anything thrown at him if the user is able. So, once again, my rule of thumb is to picture them as actual people. I would have to say that, based upon his background, Dante is the superiour athelete.

Thus, by Dante's combination of strength and agility, and by Squall not having full-party abilities (such as Ultima and Meteor) but only his limit breaks such as Lionheart and Renzokuken, Dante would win.

What is it they say about silence being golden?