I think Lara is a bad style matchup for Duran, there’s not much Duran can do, Lara has the much longer reach and is better at range, and is also the bigger man, if Duran tries pressuring him, he risks walking onto that left. People may be quick to point out that Duran had plenty of success against Hagler, but the fact is that Lara uses his reach better than Hagler, giving Duran less opportunities, he wouldn’t give him the target as much, Duran had success at range because Hagler isn’t as good at range as Lara, and Duran also had success up close because he Hagler doesn’t have a sniper like left hand, and also did let Duran inside at time, not keeping him at range. Who wins this matchup?
Hagler forever distorted the perception of Duran with his terrible under-performance (in a prelude to the Leonard disaster).
The Duran who beat Moore beats him by decision. He has no problem with cackies and will outwork Lara in this one. Hagler actually won the majority of the inside exchanges again Duran forcing Duran to adapt his game plan and fight more from the outside. Lara better than Hagler at range? Right.
What on Earth is five commas supposed to mean? And Lara was pushing forty and fought a tough fight. I thought he edged it by about a point. Plus Hurd beat Harrison and Trout. Better than what Laing van say for himself.
I can see the best version of 154 lb Duran getting a close decision in a somewhat underwhelming bout, similar to Canelo. What Duran lacks in pure physicality in regards to Canelo he more than makes up for in skill. (Sidenote: I had Canelo winning by a single point). It would have to be the absolute best possible version of Duran, though. Anything less and his feet would be too leaden and his work too mercurial to consistently beat Lara on a rounds basis, especially when he boxes negatively. Duran was by far at his best tracking movers down at 135 - like the energizer bunny he could keep a frenetic pace and dexterity alongside his skills, but as he increased weight this frenetic energy (which he would need here) was definitely dissipated. Some will mention the Hagler bout, but Hagler always held center ring and looked to exchange if / when he was able. Duran never really had to consistently come forward at Hagler - most of his work was off the counter. Nearly all of Haglers 'range work' was more due to his long reach (and how it looks on film) than having the mindset of actually staying away consistently. Lara in comparison has no qualms about being extremely negative, staying at long range and potshotting for points. I mean, if Laing was able to beat a version of Duran then Lara winning isn't exactly an impossibility. Duran beat Moore at 154 by quite literally standing in front of him, redirecting his shots and exchanging, which he simply would not be able to do here to much consistent effect.
Hurd is huge at the weight though he's 6'0 with a 78 inch reach which is the same reach as Thomas Hearns. And Hurd just kept coming forward all night long and Lara couldn't keep the big man off him in the later rounds. I think Lara would be a very problematic style for Duran he's an elusive Southpaw and Duran did lose to Benitez in one sided fashion and had shocking defeat to Laing aswell. It's not out of the realms based on styles that Lara could out point him at 154 even if Duran is greater in a P4P sense.
