Who fought the better version of Hearns

So Hagler deserves more credit for knocking out Hearns than Leonard does ??

 

At least When Leonard fought him he wasn’t a smaller man moving up in weight

 

Leonard

 

El Radar and Duran fought the best version of Tommy.

 

Hagler , Tommy was at peak against Duran and Hagler

 

I don't quite think that was the intention of the question LOL

 

Neither, Hearns was in his prime for both fights.

 

Hearns was at his absolute prime when he fought Hgler ...

 

Nah. Hearns prime was not at Middleweight. Benitez and Duran fought the best versions of Hearns

 

Hearns looked considerably more lethal at WW. No one but Leonard could touch him. Hearns was certainly touched by Barkley, and Roldan had him in pretty big trouble as well.

 

Yeah, he had different weaknesses at both weights but I'd rather be a middleweight facing him than a welter, no doubt.
I can imagine the interior stream of consciousness of opponents at 147.....
Right he's a skinny ******* so I can bang them ribs good and he might be drained not the best chin or stamina cut that gap slip that jab get ins......BANG.......oooh this sweet shop is nice I'll have some lemon puffs please mister and a gobstopper if there's change who's that fella on the floor with bone sticking out of his neck he's a good looking corpse ooh it's me in it **** did I win? That sound like an ambulance.

 

No, he doesn't. Leonard defeated the undeafeated Hearns with almost all advantages going to Hearns with exceptions of mental toughness, and speed ( which is debatable) chin, and physical strength. Hearns was a freak of nature at welter. Someone we may never see again at that weight. The Hagler fight on the other hand Hagler was the natural bigger, stronger man, fighting at a weight he fought at his entire career. He also had the perfect fight plan and followed it perfectly, and after the 1st rd, their was little doubt who would win.

 

Though they had around a similar number of fights when they fought, the biggest but often forgotten advantage that Leonard had over the younger Hearns when they fought in 1981 was big fight experience. Though Hearns was sweeping aside everyone they were matching him with, the only real notable name on his resume was Pipino Cuevas, who he knocked out to win his title. Leonard on the hand, by the time he and Hearns were matched had already beaten the still formidable Wilfred Benitez with a 15th round stoppage, had two very high profile fights with Roberto Duran and in his last fight before fighting Hearns, went up to Light Middleweight and won the WBA title by stopping Ayub Kalule. There’s no doubt who was more battle hardened and experienced by the time of the superfight showdown. You could make a case that with a bit more experience, that Hearns may well have held on against Leonard and taken the decision.

 

Solid post.