Gennady Golovkin vs Thomas Hearns

Gennady

 

GGG has to endure a rough patch or two, but has a good chin. He'll endure, takes more and more charge as the fight goes on and stops Tommy in the later rounds.

 

I would make GGG a slight favourite but this is a tough one. Hearns was KOD or had trouble with Hagler, Barkley and Roldan. Those were fighting in a brawler style. GGG is more of a boxer/puncher. GGG also has never faced anybody as skilled as Hearns. I see Hearns pulling ahead on points and GGG catching him at some point, but my pick is without much conviction

 

Agree that GGG wins. Hearns was shaky at 160

 

Hearns was not difficult to cut the ring on. And GGG is probably the best ever at it.

 

A discount Hagler?? Like the store brand version??

 

In a morbid universe where you could buy Marvin Haglers and GGGs off the shelf, yes

Hagler had more ring generalship, a higher workrate, more punch power, and a more proven chin, IMO. Not to mention the stance switching

 

Definitely not, Fitsimmons, Foreman, Tyson, Fraizer, Pacquiao, Dempsey, Armstrong, Louis even Hearns and Hagler and I could go on, but I completely disagree with GGG being the best ever at cutting off the ring

 

I would probably call him a naturally larger version of Tito with a better chin than a discount Hagler

 

Hearns on points

 

If Jacobs gave Golovkin problems with his speed and reach, not to mention power, Hearns will have a field day. And if Hearns wants to box and move for 12 rounds, he can watch the Canelo fights.

It took Golovkin 5 entertaining rounds to finish off Kell Brook in his first fight above 147. And he received a lot more punishment before doing it. It took Hagler, at the peak of an ATG career, 3 of boxing's fiercest, most intense rounds to stop Hearns, coming off a historic knockout victory over Duran.

To me, the difference in competition is clear. The outcome of the fight also seems clear to me. Golovkin starting from Lemieux has, without fail, turned into a jab and mover whenever he has come across a live opponent. Is anyone suggesting Golovkin will give Hearns less respect than David Lemieux, or Canelo Alvarez? Did Golovkin give Jacobs any less respect because he had been knocked out before, by Pirog?

Golovkin will attempt to jab with Hearns. Sounds like the punchline of a joke. He will try to jab with the Motor City Cobra and receive the Hitman's right hand bombs in return. After Golovkin's chin tells his brain that it cant take any more punches, he will probably try and come inside repeatedly and get battered by Hearns' hooks to the head and body. Last strategy he starts running. Hearns gives chase and finds his chin. TKO10
GGG = Goodbye Gennady Golovkin

 

It wasn't about cutting the ring off. He was there jabbing and landing his punches. Most people take his worst fights and use those to say, well GGG could do that. It is much different a situation. Hearns was a guy who could jab and land punches off the jab and was sharp. To say, well GGG would cut the ring off and beat Hearns. Virgil Hill thought he would outbox Hearns like he did the other guys he fought, and it was a much different situation. No counter left was there to hit him with, and the jab was not as effective. I think Hearns would come out smart and jab and set up his punches and land easily enough.. GGG is orthodox and not hard to hit. To assume Hearns is one of those stiffs which GGG fought in his defenses is inaccurate and it would be much different.

 

Hearns lost two main fights in his prime. To great fighters. He also beat Cuevas, Benitez, Duran and Hill (later on) and his fights against Michillo or Sutherland or Shields were higher quality than most of GGG middleweight defenses I you talk before Tommy fought Hagler. As for Hall of famers and winning titles. Hagler was southpaw with a great chin and Tommy broke his hand.

 

Dude Hearns was never able to resist a brawl. Anyone who wanted to brawl with Hearns could, never mind arguably the most skilled guy ever at cutting the ring.

 

Prime GGG is not the 34-36 year old who fought Jacobs and Canelo x2. A 30 year old GGG would be outboxed for several rounds until he caught Hearns. Tommy's chin is a contender for shakiest of any top 50 atg, and sooner or later he'll get tagged.

GGG mid to late round stoppage.