Duran crushes LaPorte physically as well as mentally. Juan was as good as it gets as far as boxing is concerned, a very nice guy who fought well. Duran however was a beast at lightweight who could pierce the soul of most fighters with his dark soulless eyes.
Duran's all aggression style and pure hatred for whomever he fought, especially at lightweight was something to behold. Duran would start playing mind games with LaPorte the minute the fight was made and continue all throughout the fight, further taking Juan out of his game and into Duran's. Duran did it Leonard in their first fight, breaking him emotionally and then physically.
As good as Juan was, Roberto stops him in less than 9 rounds.
LaPorte had one of the strongest chins in boxing, It would of been 1 hell of a war, but Duran was more complete and would be able to rack up points on the inside and out box LaPorte was well, great fight Duran by UD, no way he is knocking out LaPorte
Juan LaPorte would kill Roberto Duran
At lightweight
Duran by TKO RD 13
Duran started out as featherweight but peaked at lightweight and welterweight and competed as high as the middleweights. La Porte on the other hand fought at featherweight and junior lightweight, failing in two title tries at 126 lbs. dropping close decisions vs. Salvador Sanchez and Eusebio Pedroza in 1982 before hitting pay dirt at 130 lbs. winning the vacant WBC title beating Colombian Mario Miranda by TKO in 1983. He would have a brief reign losing the title to countryman Wilfredo Gomez by decision in 1984. He would also fight and lose to then future featherweight champion Barry McGuigan in 1985. But in 1986, he fought Julio Cesar Chavez and although he lost officially on all scorecards many thought he won the fight at junior lightweight.
A fight between Duran and La Porte could conceivably happen only in the featherweights and lightweights.
Being the more accomplished featherweight, I would give the nod to La Porte over Duran by close decision.
But at lightweight, no question about Duran dominating La Porte by UD.
He's quite small to match up with Duran even at 135. Besides, Duran was a beast at lightweight. No one touches him there.
laporte was a featherweight titleholder, and super featherweight contender who came so close to beating a prime jc chavez sr in a 130 pound title fight.
but at lightweight, duran would have masterfully outboxed him to a unanimous decision.
