I like these threads where people come in and show just how much they care about their score in the duel servers. You're there to get better not to dominate the server (well I would assume that's the case). if you want to dominate, go to the battle server and show your true stuff.
I do agree with the OP that for a 'fair' duel you should have about equal gear load out, but it's not like the duel server actually means anything...if you really are that worried about your e-peen then you should probably play a game that more than 500 people play.
Thing is, you don't get what you want if you duel in light gear. You'll be better with light gear if you practice in light gear, but once you put on armor it's completely different game. I know this because I play battle both in light armor and plate, difference is massive. Things you learn while playing in light armor can't be properly utilized when you're in your heavy armor. Teeth already said something similar.
If you want to get better at blocking, don't wear light armor on your native server. Wear heavy armor but play on distant server where your ping is quite high. That way you'll learn to block faster because you'll be forced to.
Blocking with stable sub 50 ping is really easy in cRPG, I had that at some point and was lolWTF how easy it was to block every single feint. When quality of your connection get worse blocking gets a lot harder.
For me playing on EU1 when its full (120 people) with ping which goes anywhere from 70 to 120, it's really challenging. During the night, on the same server there isn't more than 60 people and my ping becomes somwhat stable 40-60, things become a lot different. Much easier.