Roy Jones Jr. vs Thomas Hearns

Bad match-up for Hearns. His height, reflexes and the threat of his offense enabled him to keep that left hand low.

Jones defies conventions with his athleticism. He will tag Hearns, and he hit like murder at middleweight.

 

:tongnot sure if i should take that as a compliment

 

Jones was great at closing the distance with one quick punch. I just think he catches Hearns in close before Hearns catches him.

 

Roy by knockout in 7? Think Roy's too fast and a lot naturally bigger.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh477BpDH6U[/ame]

 

it was nice to read a post without any name calling. i obviously still like jones in this matchup but you make a good argument here. the problem is that right now everyone only remembers jones' losses for the most part. the jones at 168 was one of the finest fighters to ever step in a ring. jones overall is a little too big and a little too fast for tommy imo.

 

It is easy to say Barkley is basic since he beat Hearns 2 times. It is hard to understand those 2 fights but Barkley was just that kind of fighter. But how many basic guys did Hearns fight and they not beat him? That is the question. Right before he fought Barkley the second time he beat Virgil Hill. Then after Barkley one he should have got the decision against Ray. Hearns fought Cuevas,Benitez,Leonard,Hagler,Duran,Hill. Which is 6 elite fighters. Yes I do think Hill is elite. He is one of the most underrated guys ever. 25 or so title defenses. Barkley had a style which was good for Hearns, but to say that means something on Hearns career is eliminating all the fights he had against elite fighters. He is 4-2-1 against those elites. Not bad at all. He won 3 titles in those fights.

 

Curry was too flat footed to be Jones. Jones would never stand in front of Hearns like that and eat a jab. McCrory was not Hearns. McCrory had a 73 inch reach . Hearns is 78 1/2 and a great right.

 

Thank you for the compliment.. I know Jones is great and I always thought his skills and speed could be the best we ever saw in the modern era. Hearns was fast and had a great jab and right hand and went for the knockouts because of his intensity or need to give the fans a great fight. As for Jones, I think he could beat most fighters including Duran and Ray at 160-168. Hearns just had a style with his jab which I think would be trouble for Jones. Tommy would use the jab and wait for Jones to make a move, which is rare since Jones did that with other guys. I think Tommy could turn it around a little bit. Hearns would have to stick to the jab and not make any mistakes. I agree it would be interesting to see if Jones was much faster, and at 168 Hearns was not the fighter he was before. That is when he started to diminish, so I do give Jones a chance at 168. Hearns is a tough fighter to figure. He matched up well with boxers and fast guys, and not so great with brawlers. One guy who would have been trouble for Hearns might be Dwight Qawi. That is a bad style for Hearns. Guys who got in his face and swung and were willing to take his big punches could be trouble for him.

 

Hearns by K.O.

 

Were talking prime Jones here. You honestly think he wouldn't stand infront of Hearns? Prime Roy Jones did what he want and when he wanted and your acting like he had a glass jaw in 1992. He may well have done but his confidence and speed meant that he barely even got touched, so the fact you think Roy ain't gonna stand in front of hearns is mad. I'm thinking big left hook from Jones early could drop Hearns and stop him, but there is always the risk of that big right hand pushing Jomes **** in. Tough fight to call but I'd imagine whoever lands big first would win, and it's most likely to be Jones

 

that is true but Hearns had a 78 1/2 inch reach and was quick himself. Even Mike McCallum was asked after he fought Jones, who could beat Jones, he said Hearns.

 

I think the chin was always suspect, but Roy was always so fast he was never hit. Roy was that good. So good it didn't matter how good his chin was. Most guys find out fast if they don't have a good chin. In a way Hearns and Jones were similar in that thier offense was their defense.

 

I'm following the pattern of some here saying Hearns at 160, Jones at 168. Just my personal opinion that either man could KO the other at both weights. Tommy's right hand could definitely land with Jones not protecting himself enough with that lazy low jab hand. Neither would Tommy get into a showboating contest with Jones. Jones is quick enough to counter and land the body shot that stopped Virgil Hill.

 

no knock on Hill, but Hearns was a better fighter. Hill is great I think, but Hearns is greater as shown when they fought. Two boxers and Hearns the older one won the rounds when he wanted to. I don't think Hearns gets hit with that right hand to the body the way Virgil did. The way people beat Hearns was to get in his face and just swing punches and get him out of his rhythm. Jones never did that. I really did mean it when I said you need warrior to beat Hearns. You are going to have to take punches to land. I remember a Sports Illustrated story before Leonard/Hearns 2 and it showed the 3 guys who beat Hearns and all were busted up after Hearns lost. Meaning if you beat him you are going to have to take punches.