Imagine Leonard-Hearns III in 1989........................

Say if Ray and Thomas had signed up for a third fight in November of that year instead of Leonard's rubber with Roberto Duran. Would Hearns be psychologically boosted by the fact that he now knew that he could beat Leonard as their second fight proved ? Or would Ray's probable underestimation of his opponent in the second fight prepare him better for the third bout ?

 

I doubt Leonard would fought Hearns for the third time in 1989. Especially after the gift that he received in their second bout...

 

I loathe Leonard and Tommy is one of my favourite fighters ever, but under ten point must, a draw was fair result for their second fight. I had it 113/112 Hearns. Do not get me wrong, generally Tommy dominated, as his sourness admitted, but due to the way you score a ten point must fight, it was very close.

As for a third bout in 89: Well the only way I see Leonard fighting Tommy again is at 160 or under. Indeed it would not surprise me if Ray made the bout at 154. And if that were the case, Hearns would have lost the bout at the weigh-in.

 

The second fight was close. I thought Hearns won, but maybe by a point or two at most. It wasn't a robbery if you ask me.
I'm also not sure that Leonard really underestimated Tommy. Hearns had been looking rather poor in bouts up to that time, but Leonard was always psychologically attuned to his opponents and knew that Hearns would be up for this one, since it was a fight that he had waited for years for.

Where I do feel Leonard made a mistake, was that he was thinking he could bomb Tommy out of there. The reason he got caught by that big right hand in the third round was because he was loading up on his own right, and Tommy's got there more quickly.
Leonard was looking for one big punch and he paid for it.

As for a third fight, well I think it would be close again. I think fights between these two would always be close affairs. I could see Hearns winning, but at the same time I can also see Ray winning because he may have extra motivation on the back of the second fight, where most felt Hearns won.

 

If the 2 of them would have fought a 3rd time in 89, or 90, Ray would have knocked him out:yep
Ray was physically stronger, had the better chin and legs, and was a better all around fighter, who had the psychological edge, knowing he stopped Hearns, but Hearns couldn't stop him..
I wish they would have fought again, just like I wished Hagler would have gotten a rematch..

 

Leonard at that time was in awe of Mike Tyson, I can remember in the Bruno fight Leonard was saying he was going to use some of his punches.

 

I had Tommy winning their second fight by one point at last viewing. Close enough for debate,though.

 

I agree, I can't stand irritants who claim that I could've scored a fight 'the other way' if i had a card of 8-7. There's times when those 8 rounds were in the bag...and a fighter simply doesn't need any more than that. In this case, Tommy definitely won for me, I don't care how close it was, there's no way I could ever score it for Ray.

 

Bottom line is Tommy dropped Leonard in that fight which earned him an extra point for that round..So Tommy won the fight by more than just 1 point imo.

 

He dropped him more than once in the fight, all though it was a competitive bout Tommy was the clear cut winner IMO.

 

In a quick rematch I feel hearns would hunt him down and not let him off the hook. Pity circumstances meant they had to wait so long to rematch. If Leonard had not been off so long they could have had a legacy of fights at so many weights over a long period. I favour Leonard at 147 and Hearns at 168 ( No gamble to say that I guess..) but at 154 and 160 ?

Anyway in 1989, I pick Hearns to drop Leonard again and win by a 3-4 point margin.

 

IMO, he more time that goes by, the better it would be for Hearns. Leonard lost speed; Hearns didn't lose much power, nor did he lose any height or reach. I'd take Hearns by a comfortable (not lopsided) decision.

 

Tommy was very worn and spent having been in three straight life & death matches previously vs spent opposition himself

he looked so slow and round and soft it was a miracle he wasnt knocked out the way Ray was hitting him from pillar to post. no speed left whatsoever and no hint of a chin

I dont think Tommy wouldve survived another night with Ray

1984 is another matter. Tommy would KO that ho

 

Ray lost badly in the second fight

No chin hearns didn't need a third fight, he made his point

 

Tommy had Ray's number after that second fight. I think he stops Ray in about 5 rounds in the rematch. Ray knew it also.