Andre Ward vs Thomas Hearns @168

Not too sure about this one but I'll take Ward by decision.

 

Difficult one to say , but I will go with Hearns

 

At super middle I'll go with Ward. Tommy had some success at that weight and higher, but was also vulnerable within those perameters whereas Ward was an absolute destroyer in his prime there.

 

Hearns by decision. Ward is a good fighter, but wildly overrated. Apart from a shaky chin, Hearns is almost a perfect fighting machine. He is far faster, and a much better boxer than Andre Ward. And, he hits harder too. More than hard enough to gain Andre's respect. (And, with the right combination, hard enough to put Andre's lights out). I believe it would play out a lot like Hearn's win over Virgil Hill. I see no evidence that Andre Ward is better than Virgil Hill in any category (speed, power, defense, boxing ability). Of course it is possible that Hearns could get caught. But, I just don't see it happening. Hearns UD or possibly mid round stoppage.

 

It's Ward's weight. He would win.

 

Ward is not exactly a destroyer or a big puncher. You can't compare him stylewise to hagler or Barkley.

Instead Ward is a very complete fighter, defensively and offensively.
Ward would have no choice than to outbox Hearns.

It is very hard to outbox Hearns. Hearns outboxed master boxers Leonard, Benitez and Hill.

In my opinion, hearns wins a close competitive decision. His right hand keeps Ward at bay and his jab will give him trouble.On the inside Ward is the better fighter and will have some success.

 

:nut

 

Hearns gets overrated over 154. Truth is that he was inconsistent at those weights. Yes, Ward is not a big banger for a SMW, but neither was Leonard at that weight and he still managed to hurt Hearns repeatedly. So did Laing. Ward is quite a bit better than anyone of them at SMW, so I don't see why he can't succeed where they didn't.

 

^exactly. Hearns would be a big underdog here.

 

It would be a kick ass press conference and the fight posters would be awesome, until Ward pulled out over a financial dispute or injury.

 

Hearns is overrated at the higher weights, especially in the classic forum. He was good but Ward was better at this weight. It's competitive but i have to take Ward by late stoppage tbh. He'd get on the inside multiple times and eventually stop Hearns late.

 

I much prefer Hearns as a fighter and I much prefer watching him fight. I also am no fan of Ward.

That said Ward is in with a good chance here. SMW was not Hearns' best weight, and Ward was very comfortable there. Ward also excels at roughing guys up, breaking their flow and doing the dirty on them. He somehow manages to sneak headbutts, groin shots and sneaky little behind the knee pulls off all the time and the refs miss it. He'd be outclassed at range but I think he'd manage to close in and do a lot more fighting on the inside than Hearns would like.

50-50 imho.

Hearns is the better boxer with the more outstanding attributes.

Ward has the better gameplan with that junkyard dog grit.

 

Ward wins this one. I don't like that many fighters at 168 over Ward. Even a legend like Hearns.

 

Ward