A Boxing Memory: McGuigan vs. LaPorte

A Boxing Memory: McGuigan vs. LaPorte

Is this the man to stop Barry? The Boxing News headline that highlighted just how much of a threat Juan LaPorte was perceived to be to the seemingly unstoppable rise of Barry McGuigan. The acid test, the fighter to show us just how good McGuigan was. The answer was that he was very good. Probably on this night in 1985, we saw the best-ever version of McGuigan. In truth, it had to be.

LaPorte, the former WBC featherweight champion wasn’t on the slide or a fighter who travelled to Ireland looking to cash out before the inevitable call of retirement was too loud to ignore. The brilliant Puerto Rican was only 25 and still held ambitions of his own, and only two fights previous, he was the featherweight champion of the world. Make no mistake, Boxing News were right. This was the acid test for McGuigan. LaPorte knew a win over McGuigan would land him another shot at a world title.

They were simpler times. Better times. The WBC and the WBA were the only governing bodies that warranted real attention. The IBF were in play but hadn’t yet found acceptance. That would come. Others would follow. In 1985, world titles had to be earned. Beating LaPorte would mean McGuigan had to do it the hard way.

McGuigan 23, the reigning British and European featherweight champion and the 4th ranked featherweight in the world, was twenty-five fights into his professional career. One early, disputed blemish was quickly avenged, and McGuigan came into the fight with eighteen consecutive inside-the-distance victories.

But LaPorte came with real credentials, a devastating right hand, his biggest asset. But not his only one. McGuigan had doubts if he was ready for a fight that would be his last real hurdle before he landed his own world title opportunity.

Sugar Ray Leonard was ringside working for CBS who were broadcasting the fight in America. The BBC also showed the fight live. Remember those times. The big fights live and free on free terrestrial television. The Kings Hall in Belfast was packed to the rafters. The iconic venue generated a cauldron of sound that was probably unmatched anywhere else in the world. Danny Boy, sung by McGuigan’s father, added another layer to it. That would come later.

McGuigan and American TV made LaPorte wait in the ring before the Rocky theme blasted out. Getting to the ring was a fight in itself for McGuigan.

Wins over the likes of Felipe Orozco and Paul DeVorce had impressed, but still left doubts. McGuigan needed a win over a marquee fighter still in his prime. The Puerto Rican was very much that fighter. LaPorte would remove any lingering doubts about the world title aspirations of McGuigan.

McGuigan was never better than he was that night. But LaPorte more than pushed him. The Clones fighter was winning the rounds, but he was having to work harder for his success than he had ever done before. A combination from LaPorte in the 5th that found its mark and was a little reminder of what he had in front of him. A bigger warning was on its way.

The 7th and 8th rounds saw McGuigan demonstrate just how good he was. LaPorte was hit relentlessly. Now he knew what he had in front of him. But his big moment was only seconds away. And one that very nearly changed the trajectory of the fight.

Coming out for the 9th round, McGuigan was a mile ahead on points. He couldn’t lose unless he was knocked out. It nearly happened. That crunching right hand of LaPorte finally found its target. It caught McGuigan flush on the chin. How he stayed on his feet nobody will ever know. It was the hardest he had ever been hit, he would later say. McGuigan said it took him around thirty seconds to find his senses again. But he not only survived, but by the end of the round, he was the fighter on the front foot. LaPorte won the round. McGuigan had won something far more important.

The 10th and final round saw McGuigan revert to what he had already served all night long. The vocal faithful chanted it was easy, even they must have known it was anything but. McGuigan had LaPorte in trouble, but when McGuigan rushed in, he was caught again. The story of the fight right there. McGuigan was winning, but he could never ever relax. Danger was never far away. The bell ended the fight a few seconds early. A relief to all you sensed. The referee Harry Gibbs gave the fight to McGuigan 99-97. A formality on the cards. In reality, it was anything but.

Harry Mullan ringside for Boxing News said McGuigan’s performance was as close to perfection as he had ever seen and that winning a world title was now a mere formality for McGuigan. It wasn’t, Eusebio Pedroza was no formality, but Mullan can be excused for his over-exuberance.

LaPorte said he would retire after the fight. He didn’t and would earn further opportunities to win a world title. All ended in defeat.

The McGuigan story was only just getting started. He fought Pedroza and beat him over 15 rounds to win the WBA world featherweight title. As good as McGuigan was against the Panamanian at Loftus Road, he was exceptional against LaPorte. McGuigan called it the best performance of his career, and in his autobiography Cyclone: My Story, he said Sugar Ray Leonard came into his dressing room and said:

“That’s one of the best fights I have seen.”

McGuigan at his best. Boxing at its best. A night and a performance that should never ever be forgotten.