Do you think it would have been any different. If a more focussed and prepared Duran came in against Hearns how much more of a chance would he have against him or was Hearns just too big and powerful and have his number?
At 154 Hearns might have to much baggage for `Manos de Piedra`. The Hitman could keep Duran at range and let loose with his great equalizer
Like many, I thought about the idea of a rematch after Duran-Barkley. Roberto certainly would have gotten into the very best condition he possibly could have managed at that age. However, Heanrs would have had an enormous psychological advantage off of what he did to Duran in 1984. If El Cholo was able to somehow evade or absorb Tommy's power, Hearns could simply outbox him from long range. Tommy showed against Kinchen that he had learned how to clinch and get up to win if hurt, survival ability previously questioned. There's no way Roberto beats Hearns in 1989, even if he managed to hurt Tommy as he did Barkley. A WW title unification in late 1980 represented his best window of opportunity for knocking out a still maturing and inexperienced Hearns. I believe Hearns would have taken a lopsided decision in 1989. A wary and fully prepared Duran would be too alert and savvy to be knocked out, but he'd also be too physically over-matched to have a chance at overcoming Tommy's skills and versatility. Barkley eventually evolved into a near 240 pound heavyweight, but he never had Tommy's speed or mobility. More than mere size and strength was typically needed to beat Duran.
No different at all. Hearns meat pulverizes him again. Duran tried to lead plenty here too the first time.. and got meat pulverized for it :rofl Sweet [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmLya0g815U[/ame]
If it were a rematch after the original fight, it would last a lot longer but still the outcome be in Hearns' favor. He was prime and hungry. I think a 1978-80 version of Duran would have a good chance of taking him over the distance. You can't read too much into an over the hill fighter, who was undertrained... or better yet untrained, getting cold cocked in the early goings. All credit to Hearns. They both signed the contract. One showed up, the other didn't. But a prepared, closer to prime Duran is a much tougher test, and one that takes this fight.
Oh, Duran showed up all right. He was waving Hearns forward. :rofl Here's the full fight (bad video quality though).. Hearns is Duran's master, just like he was Cuevas' master. Hearns even called a first or second round KO before the fight. Ha ha [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNFi3ZcM_S4[/ame]
duran would outwork him and take a decision second time round. duran way too savy for hearns and he would have learnt from the first fight