Thomas The Hitman Hearns vs Tony El Torito Ayala in 1983-84

Personally, I think Hearns was just on another level to Ayala but I agree with you that Ayala is getting underrated. The Maldonado fight was actually a good result, he nearly got stopped early but came back to ko a durable opponent who went to to twice beat future World champion Buster Drayton (who would also ko middleweight contender Mark Kaylor in London), destroy Jimmy Batten in a round. The same Batten went the full 10 with Duran in a gritty display from the former British champion.

Ayala destroyed two former World title challengers Carlos Herrera and Steve Gregory in a total of 5 rounds. Also beat Robbie Epps in a round in a grudge fight. Epps had recently outpointed undefeated number 1 contender Dwight Davison. Solid opposition.

Do I think Ayala could of beaten Hearns? No because speed kills and Hearns had it in spades. I think Ayala would do better than Duran and might get lucky but in reality I seem him being outboxed, outpunched and finally outbombed in 5. Would have been fun to watch.

I´d still expect Ayala to comeback and beat Davey Moore but he tenure would be short when a snarling Duran would bust him up in 8.

 

Hearns outboxes and outpunches Ayala enroute to stopping him within four stanzas. The Hitman too skilful and hard hitting for 'Baby Bull'

 

Hearns,, I wish it had happened,I would have enjoyed seeing Tommy beat up that POS.

 

See Hearns's destruction of Cuevas and Duran (Who were better,
more proven opponents )
For what happens to Ayala facing a prime Hearns.
A short but violent KO victory for Hearns.....

 

It's nothing to do with what he did outside the ring it's based on the fact stylistically he doesn't match up well vs Hearns.

Hes 5'7 with a 68 inch reach which is similar dimensions to Roberto Duran who is far greater and who Hearns poleaxed.

I don't see how you can logically think this is a 50/50 fight when Ayala didn't beat anyone of note literally no one.....

Hearns by KO brutally and early.

I can't remember what fight it was but I remember seeing the fight on YT ages ago where Ayala got dropped and was visibly hurt by a fighter I'd never heard of......

 

That was no flash knockdown. It's on YouTube. Ayala was badly hurt. Ayala did recover well. Minchillo had an iron chin. The McCracket right was at Middleweight

 

Hearns by ktfo...............round 2 or 3 ish. A 5'6" JMW is not going to have anything for Hearns

 

I agree he doesn't beat the Big Four, but Benitez he has a chance. Wilfred became shot at an early age and by the early/mid eighties he was done and getting stopped quickly by Davey Moore and being beaten up by Matthew Hilton. Defensively, he might have given Ayala some fits early, but I pick Ayala by a stoppage in that.

 

We all know any fights with Ayala are pure speculation as he hadn't gotten to that point of fighting anyone real good yet. But just for fun, these are my thoughts:
I think a world title was doable had he been managed right. There were winnable fights out there and I pick him to beat Davey Moore and win a belt.
I don't see him beating any of the "Big Four".
Hearns wasn't invincible, but he was an acid test for anyone to go against because regardless of his shaky chin, anyone that fights him is forced immediately to deal with his height, reach, and big bomb. If you could weather the storm against him early and get to his chin, you have a chance.
I see this fight over quickly with Hearns landing first, Ayala doesn't recover, and gets stopped in the first or second round.

 

Don't forget folks, Ayala was down in the first round against Mario Maldonado, (and he was hurt, very hurt). A better finisher would have gotten Tony out of there.

 

Wilfred fought the wrong fight against Hamsho.. Wrong guy to fight moving up... But Wilfred was not I don't think shot yet, I think that put him on the downward spiral after that fight.. I don't think Ayala beats Benitez in 83.

 

You guys can make Hearns into this unbeatable and indestructible KO machine and Ayala an overrated slappy if you really see it that way Can't change anyone's mind and I accept the majority of posters on this thread, all smart and solid observers, fans and historians, see it as a foregone conclusion. I could be completely wrong in seeing this as a competitive fight.

 

Best for best Benitez would school him. Sure he'd have a chance against shot Benitez. Berbick beat ancient Ali. Benitez from Hearns backward would win handily. I'd actually take him by stoppage as i don't think Ayala's defense would be up to it over the long haul. He'd get busted up.

Davey Moore's a great matchup with Ayala but even in that case Moore was miles more proven despite barely having any fights.

 

I don't agree, never thought much of Benitez but you're entitled to your opinion.

How was Davey Moore "miles more proven" than Ayala? He only had about 14 fights when Duran demolished him.

 

Moore beat -

Tadashi Mihara who was a top 10 contender
Charlie Weir who was rated #6
Ayub Kalule who was either rated #2 or #3
Gary Guiden who was about #7

Who did Ayala beat in comparison to that? As i said Moore was MIIIIIILES more proven. It not even close.

Ayala doesn't have a single win over a top 10 rated contender whilst Moore had 4 of them. It's not even remotely debatable. He showed multiple times in his short career he could go to the well and come back the winner against top 10 contenders.

Benitez schooled Duran in one of the best performances one will ever see and beat Cervantes as a kid among other things. Ayala wouldn't be able to lift his jock.