Let's say Hearns instead of Srr fought Maxim on that hot summer day, What are Hearns chances of getting the W?
Hearns would also lose. I like Hearns and think he was an amazing fighter, but like SRR didn’t really have any business at 175.
I think Tommy would have a hard time getting Maxim outta there, so rounds 12-15 would be rough for him
To be honest, don't see Tommy even flooring Joey, but he has a good shot of a win. You're right, 12-15 would be the roughest stretch he would have to endure.
Under less extreme conditions, Robinson would have become the light-heavyweight champion of the world. I think he proved beyond doubt that he had business fighting at 175.
Tommy trained in Kronk, which was a boiler room where they commonly kept it above 100 degrees. He wouldn’t wilt. He would box, maybe taking a few opportunities early to test Joey out, but once he settled in to use his boxing skills … well, nobody ever out-boxed Hearns. Easy 15-round win. Just because Ray wilted doesn’t mean everybody would. I mean, Maxim didn’t faint.
Well, Ray Robinson is a better boxer then Hearns by some margin so it'd be a lot closer. Joey get's undersold I reckon.
Maxim’s durability likely averts a KO/stoppage loss - though still possible on the outside. Agree with JT. Tommy over 12 rounds. A bit dicier over 15 rounds but depends on how well Hearns is controlling the action by the 12th round mark. The heat effected Robinson more than Maxim in so far as the greater movement Ray had to employ as the smaller man. Adverse conditions beyond control can be part of the natural terrain but when such conditions so heavily impact and define the outcome - it somewhat perverts/compromises the spirit/concept of a skill vs skill boxing contest. With his height, reach and power combined I don’t see Hearns requiring the movement that Ray employed and less so again the earlier Hearns controls the ring and the fight overall.
