Matthew Saad Muhammad from 1980 fights Tommy Hearns from 1991, 15 rounds. This would be the Hearns from his title winning WBA Light Heavyweight bout against Virgil Hill, this bout is at 175 lbs. lets see if Hearns award winning left jab can keep Saad Muhammad off of him. Or will Saad Muhammad catch Tommy on his Granite Jaw?
Muhammad stops him too durable, too strong, Hill wasn't a big puncher nor was he aggressive only occasionally like vs James Kinchen, Hill i think kind of choked vs Hearns on the big stage. He should of been more aggressive and assertive, instead Hill tried to box with Hearns and use the jab, and that's never going to work Hearns doesn't lose by getting outboxed. He loses when you put the pressure on him. Sorry to go slightly off topic but yes, Muhammad would walk Hearns down and eventually stop him, Muhammad was able to beat the very skillful Conteh twice who had an educated left hand like Hearns. Funnily enough even at 175 i do think Hearns still had enough firepower, to maybe stun Muhammad a few times early on. But as we all know Muhammad was probably one of the best fighters ever at recovering from getting stunned. Overall i think Hearns may have a few good moments early on, but once Hearns hits him and wakes up the sleeping giant. Muhammad starts walking him down and punishing him, kind of like Muhammad did to Lopez in their 2nd fight after the 8th round. And i believe Muhammad would stop Hearns in the 10th round ?
Be like Tommy's first fight with Barkley, he'll be looking good boxing and controlling range with his jab,,,,just before the lights go out.
Bit hard on Hearns this. Peak Saad against well post peak Tommy. Saad would just walk him down and walk through him in his 1980 vintage.
Muhammad early. The younger version of The Hitman who beat Dennis Andries would do better. Saad still wins though after being outboxed.