Prime WW Thomas Hearns vs Roberto Duran that beat Ray Leonard

I dont buy the notion that Hearns would allways beat Duran i think in their fight Duran didnt gave Hearns any respect and went there to go punch for punch with Hearns and that was a huge mistake and the wrong strategy specially against a bigger fighter with a huge punch who was also a fast starter and Duran paid for it.

I think that at his best and with a more cautious aproach specially in the first three or four rounds where Hearns usually tried to test you and try to get you out of there if you go past it with a better idea of how to gauge his speed and his reach you could little by little start getting closer to Tommy hit his body start touching him more and more and he starts to lose steam and becomes more fragile and more prone to getting hurt i think a fighter with the instincts,talent and style of Duran with the right strategy could do it.

Of course it would be a very hard task but i like i said with the right aproach and the right strategy i can see Duran surviving the early storm and then come in strong and outlast Hearns and stop a very tired Hearns late in the fight.

 

I guess the things that keep me seeing Duran stop Hearns are the Hearns/Leonard stoppage and, strangely, the FOTC.

Duran wasn't entirely unlike Smokin' Joe in that he was extremely determined against Leonard (like Joe against Ali). Leonard at times had some rocking punches but was overall both smothered and kind of beat to the punch. I think early on Duran would have to weather the storm of Tommy's most wicked punches, but that things would end up pretty much like the H/L fight with Thomas getting knocked through the ropes and stopped.

Duran was the MAN even before he beat Leonard, his confidence and enthusiasm and energy and determination were insane. Hearns was usually very cool...that wouldn't bode well for Thomas.

 

Idk about that, Leonard didn’t have the height, reach, or power hearns had, those specific advantages would make Durán very hesitant to get inside. Hearns gets the ko

 

I'm not even sure if there is a time when it's not a KO/TKO. Duran knocking out Hearns is faith

 

Hearns KO ....I don’t buy into the “ Montreal Duran was invincible “ thing

 

Very good post and quite true.

 

This one would be a rerun of their 1984 encounter, Thomas The Hitman Hearns is too tall and would have the same leverage over Roberto Hands Of Stone Duran. Leonard did not have the height or punch that Hearn's carries. Styles makes fights holds true in this one.

 

A more patient and fitter Duran would have the tools to disrupt the incoming from Hearns and penetrate the defense. At 147 Hearns is lighter, less durable and can definitely be hurt by Duran. Although at 147 Hearns is also quicker. It will definitely be more competitive. If Duran can last more than eight rounds he will stop Hearns.

 

I think at welterweight Tommy stops Duran in 4 or 5 rounds. He is too long for Duran and hits too hard with that right hand. Duran had a good chin, but not for that leverage and speed.

 

Exactly, it is a ridiculous myth

 

Duran is my favorite fighter ever, but IMHO, Tommy beats him 10 out of 10 as this is one of those matchups where the stylistic difference is most profound. Having written that, the best version of Duran puts on a better show than the one that actually fought Tommy.

 

Hearns by KO in 5.

 

Duran would get to him mid to late rounds. I don't think Hearns would have the confidence to back Duran up the way he did at 154. Tommy had more experience and was stronger at Jr . Middle.
Roberto had a whole lot more speed and energy as a Welterweight. Duran was more dynamic and had an elusive defense.

 

Duran was an absolute beast of a man. Extremely strong. I can’t recall a fight where he was bullied.

 

But to answer the question: even though Duran is my favourite fighter of all time, I still think Tommy wins this one.