But that doesn`t matter, both these fighters started at lower weights and Hearns was an elite welter, picking up losses mainly at 160 and above.
Hearns would have knocked out Canelo at 154, nothing Canelo did at 154 matches what Hearns did at that weight, destroying Duran in two rounds and out-boxing Benitez while Canelo was out-boxed by Lara, skillfull boxers can out-box Canelo and Hearns wa more skilled than any fighter Canelo has fought, Canelo has never faced a jab like Tommy`s, the heavier Tommy got the more vulnerable he got, Canelo is far better at 160-168 than he was at 154, Hearns looked great in the Hagler fight considering he hurt his right hand during the fight, but after that fight his record became patchy and his chin let him down, Hearns wasn`t elite at 168 so CAnelo would have beaten him at that weight despite Hearns beating Hill at 175, Canelo would have toyed with Hill.
I wouldn't right off Canelo's chances he has good defence and a good chin and he can definitely KO Hearns if he lands. But we're talking 5 inches in height and 8 inches in reach that's a lot to give up and Hearns isn't Callum Smith he knows how to fight tall and box tall. Canelo will be the one pressing, the one trying to chase Hearns and he's always struggled when he's been forced to cut off the ring. Hearns will definitely out box Canelo but can he do it for the full 12 rounds without being caught? At 154lbs I think Canelo hadn't improved enough to be Hearns. At 160lbs I think it's a toss up, Canelo had started to improve his defence, could go either way, maybe a controversial decision to Canelo. At 168lbs I think Hearns is above his best weight now and Canelo is fighting in his prime now. I favour Canelo to come back from behind and stop Hearns.
I know Ray originally beat Tommy at 147, but if they rematch any weight then Hearns wins. He did win their second fight My point is, Tommy is an extremely hard man to beat at 154. He is physically the best ever in around Welter/junior Middle I think he would beat canelo at 160 too, but with canelos iron jaw and decent power himself, it wouldn't surprise me to see him come from behind and force a stoppage. I'm still going with the hitman to win on points 168 is the weight I fancy canelo to actually finish Hearns in. But again if Tommy keeps it long and plays to his strengths? He could jab Canelo's nut in to a decision. Tommy has an absolute wonderful jab and he has serious height and reach advantages and moves/boxes much better than Smith
If it's the guys who did exist at those weights it's a massacre for Hearns at 154, he's certainly favored at 160, and then maybe a little Canelo favored at 168 but it's not clear. I think if it's the best version that could have existed at the weight then maybe Hearns would be better than he was at 168 if he went up a little younger.
Maybe, Hearns certainly at 154, maybe Canelo at 160 but Hearns looked great v Hagler, Canelo would have beaten Barkley who beat Hearns at 160, Canelo at 168 because Hearns looked sloppy v Kinchen and Leonard.
