Who beats Tommy Hearns at 147?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bronze Tiger, Aug 19, 2019.



  1. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I would make him the favorite over anyone except the two Sugar Rays
     
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  2. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Gavalin could take him on Points but I'd bet against it. As could Rodriguez and Griffith. Defensive guys like Mayweather, Whitaker and Napoles are pretty easy pickings.

    Someone who comes forward and/or darts in are just asking to be KOed. So that rules out guys like Pacquiao, Cotto, Tito, ODLH ect.

    An exception to that would be Armstrong and Walker. Both have very good (near 50/50) chances but I wouldn't make either favourite.

    So yes. I agree, only the two Sugar Rays. But big punches could land and take the KO.

    Edit: other guys would do poorly who are undoubtedly ATGs are Burley, Zivic, Ross and McLarnin would all be KOed imo. Burley would do the best due to moving away from punches but he'd be cornered and took out. The other 3 would be walked onto shots and badly KOed.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2019
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  3. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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  4. 88Chris05

    88Chris05 Active Member Full Member

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    Agree with a lot of what @George Crowcroft has said above. Leonard pulled it off, though not without great difficulty, and of course the other Sugar Ray's credentials at 147 speak for themselves.

    Gavilan has to be considered because of a few factors. Firstly, that tungsten chin of his. Secondly, his relentless pressure and workrate. It took a very, very tough man to take Hearns in to the late rounds, but if you could there was always a chance he might wilt. So maybe Gavilan outlasts him, somehow. Problem is, Gavilan doesn't have the power to bother Hearns unless Tommy runs completely out of gas in the championship rounds, and badly underused his jab. Hearns would have to have a serious brain fart and fight a very poor tactical fight (which could happen with Tommy, in fairness), but even allowing for that I don't see Gavilan beating him more than once in five, if that.

    My only slight disagreement might be re: Napoles. Not that I'd make Napoles favourite, but I do think his style was much less defensive than Whitaker or Mayweather's and he has the evasive skills and spiteful streak to possibly make things uncomfortable for Hearns. But much as I love Mantequilla, he was really only a natural 140 pounder, and with his tender eyebrows and come-forward, subtle pressure style, he's relying on an absolute punch-perfect display where everything goes right to pull this off. Hearns probably gets him out of there late.

    Puncher's chance for Trinidad, but that's it. Much like Cuevas, Tito is very probably going to find out that if you're a guy who loves a gunfight, eventually you're going to run into someone that little bit harder and nastier than yourself. Nine times out of ten Trinidad gets blasted out.

    I think guys such as Whitaker and Mayweather are too good to be disgraced, but I tend to take the Benitez fight as a starting template for these (albeit that was at 154 lb). They might go the distance, but there's no way they're going to be able to get in to the fight from an offensive point of view or make an impression with the judges. Neither had the output at 147 to tire Hearns and once they'd tasted his power (if they survive it) I see both guys getting discouraged and sticking on the outside for the remainder, maybe frustrating Tommy but not taking many rounds off him.

    It's a long shot, but what about a peak Curry of c. 1985? Easy to laugh at Curry now, but at his best he had the speed, balance, accuracy, close-range skills, adaptability and power to beat a vast array of styles. But Curry wasn't a million miles away from Napoles in terms of style, and while he's naturally bigger than Napoles, again I'm probably clutching at straws with that one.

    As for the likes of Armstrong, Ross, Oscar, Pacquiao, Cotto, Walcott and Lewis...Hearns would eat his corn flakes from their upturned skulls.
     
  5. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Armstrong was a tank, I think he would be too much for Hearns. Granted, I don't know much about weightclasses lower than MW, so maybe I say stupid things. Armstrong really impressed me in the footage I've seen though.
     
  6. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don’t think Armstrong can walk through what Hearns has to offer
     
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  7. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think he could, but it's impossible to tell. He also wouldn't give Hearns any space to operate.
     
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  8. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Could Mickey Walker have a shot?
     
  9. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Napoles isn’t defensive. He was an aggressive fighter complete with one of the best offensive arsenals in the divisions history. IF Hearns beat him he’d be going through hell and probably relying on cuts because Napoles’ accuracy, power and stamina (vs. Hearns potential fading, fairly shaky chin) would give Hearns all he could bargain for. The height of Hearns would give him a good chance but Napoles’ calm, pinpoint accuracy and unflappability would be Hearns undoing IMO and he’d turn Hearns legs to jello on more than one occasion.

    Rodriguez at his best I think takes Hearns. Rodriguez could take it and could go all fight and was so busy and awkward.

    Burley unfortunately we don’t have footage at 147 but if he’s better there than at middleweight with his defensive wizardry, Hearns shortcomings and Burley having explosive power he’d be a favorite over Hearns.
     
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  10. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Of course.
     
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  11. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It’s funny that you mentioned Rodriguez...I watched some his fights yesterday and he’s the inspiration for this thread ... I think Hearns knocks him out
     
  12. Tonto62

    Tonto62 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    I'd actually give Burley a decent chance he could crack with his right and seldom took punches flush. The rest of your post is on the money imo.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2019
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  13. Golden_Feather99

    Golden_Feather99 Active Member Full Member

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    There is no welterweight who'd be a clear favourite over Hearns imo.
     
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  14. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    A big puncher who can get inside early would have a shot. Someone like Mayaroga. Don't laugh..... It's more likely Hearn's lands first and takes him out, though.
     
  15. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    Gavilan beats him IMO. As would Robinson.

    The mythical 'Montreal' Duran would give Hearns a hell of a fight. Not betting on him to win, though.

    What about Britton? Extremely experienced, legendary skills and solid chin. I think he'd cause Hearns trouble. I never see him mentioned in match ups. Billy Graham could box around Hearns, don't think he likely wins though.

    Ted kid Lewis is great enough, but I don't think his style lends well in the early going.

    I also think Emile Griffith and Mickey Walker could win against Hearns. Rodriguez has already been mentioned. Joe Walcott always has a punchers chance, but he wouldn't win IMO.
     
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