Although this fight was talked about it never really came close to happening, what do you think would have happened if this fight happened in 1971? Laguna had recently lost his Lightweight title to Ken Buchanan but was coming of a decent win against Lloyd Marshall. He was nearing the end of his career but was still in decent shape and a good fighter. Duran was still pretty green at this stage. He had beaten Marcel the year earlier but was still finding his rhythm and wasn't fighting under Ray Arcel just yet. Would Laguna be able to use his ring smarts to beat Duran or would Durans hunger and work rate be too much for Laguna? Discuss.
I'm not sure that Marshall was that good, was he? I'd say Duran prime for prime. Laguna's too tough to get stopped mind, and would make it close. A damn fine boxer. But Duran had more pop and more to him, though Laguna's best bet would be against the ultra aggressive Duran that beat Buchanan. As Duran got more well-rounded I see him even outboxing Laguna. Fair?
In 71 Laguna is certainly a very big chance against a young Roberto. But I tend to think that version of Duran is better for taking out Ismael. Less polished and mature for sure but also an instinctive and uninhibited swarmer who wouldnt waste a second to measure up or study Laguna like an older Duran would. He would just go out there a throw everything he had at Laguna...In the end I think he is just to physically strong for the sliding Laguna to prevail.
I think Laguana is a tricky style for a young Duran. I still think Roberto takes it but theres a chance of the upset
He put Laguna down and had a decent right hand but he wasn't that good i agree. I'm still trying to get my head around the outcome of this fight, I think i'd still pick Duran but Laguna had a long reach and knew how to use it perfectly. Prime for prime though I'd pick Duran by late stoppage or comfortable decision.
50/50 on a good day for Roberto in 71 but yer smart money would have to be on Laguna just as the smart money was on Buchanan, it would be brutal & savage going down the stretch:bbb but i just don't think that Roberto had the boxing savvy to get his way with Ismael who would'nt underestimate Roberto for a split second as Buchanan did:smoke
I read a story in a mag some time back that they met in the gym (c'mon, you know they would have had to have sparred sometime as the careers crossed, Laguna wasn't out of the game until '71, so that was a good 4 years or so of Duran around the gyms in Panama). The story was that the young terror took a few liberties with the veteran and the session was cut short when Laguna showed him a few tricks of the trade and Duran ended up with a cut eye. Sounds plausible. Duran was wide open for counters in his early years. That's the only story I heard on them meeting. Both in their prime I would go with Duran on decision. Scartissue
Yeah it's true that they sparred once, Duran insisted as he was short of a sparring partner one day. What actually happened is hard to say, Laguna claims he hit Duran and opened a cut and the sparring was stopped, whilst Duran claims is lasted a little longer and Laguna broke Durans nose. However Durans trainer at the time claims his nose was never broken, and Duran hurt Laguna on a number of occasions. So who knows :yep
Once again in the minority (OK only one), The slick El Tigre Colonense, is able to frustrate Duran and leaves town as with the Panama Crown with a slim pts win!
In 71 Duran was 20 years old, he had 6 fights that year winning all of them by stoppage including Marshall ,who had gone the distance with Laguna in his previous fight,a 1rd blast out of Benny Huertas improved on Laguna's 4 rd tko win, but his best win was a victory over Kobayashi. I think Duran might have edged Laguna had they met then .Prime for prime he smokes him imo, but then I think Laguna is a trifle overated. There is a theory that Laguna retired when he did ,rather than meet Duran. Mabe he did ,maybe he didn't, he was allready waning imo.
I think at that stage Laguna would've been ripe for the picking against the up and coming, hungry Duran that Buchanan faced. Prime for prime is a more interesting matchup. Say the Laguna of the first Ortiz bout against the Duran of the third De Jesus fight. Now that's a hell of a matchup. I'd narrowly favor Duran.
Rodolfo Gonzalez was the one with the best chance of beating young Duran at this time imo. I'm not sure how well he would take Duran's punch which may be the key, but as well as the finesse, he had the chilling power Laguna and Buchanan lacked.
Mante meaning to ask about Martinez whats his best fights to watch him in. Been highly recommended to me by someone.
