Hitman Vs The Bodysnatcher..?

Over 15, I think McCallum could wear down Hearns & stop him in the championship rounds.
Less than 15, Hearns might be able to hang on for a decision.

 

They were never matched up for a reason. Even Steward himself said that McCallum would win.
He could either knock him out or win a comfortable decision.

 

Yep, McCallum was durable as hell as he proved in his nearly 20 year career that saw him finish as a cruiserweight. Nobody ever stopped him or really even came close. I have always thought he would wear Tommy out with his body punching and pace. Tommy was definitely better on the outside but I just don't see him keeping McCallum at bay for a decision and nobody will ever convince me that McCallum would get stopped by a straight right hand. He was too smart to get caught with that **** and even he did get caught, his chin was iron and he knew how to get through those Rocky moments as he showed win Julian Jackson caught him.

 

Curry wobbled McCallum too.

 

I’m leaning towards Hearns by decision but McCallum is the type of fighter who might have created problems for him

 

Yep, and he got through that as well. He was never stopped in his entire career that lasted until he was 40 years old.

 

It’s conceivable Hearns could win but not likely IMO.

 

Hearns v Benitez at 154 was one of the greatest displays of technical science in a ring, nobody McCallum beat at 154 was as good as Benitez.

 

Completely (& I mean utterly) untrained Benitez who was afflicted with a freak injury for two-thirds of the bout…

 

Benitez barely ever trained and Hearns broke his right hand in about round 6 i think it was. Hearns was simply too good for Benitez.

 

I've debated this alot and I've always said at their best weight 154 Hearns wins. The fighters who beat Hearns had to fight overly aggressive and take alot of punishment to get the W, McCallum isn't that type of fighter hes a technician and wears you down and stops you late on. And whilst McCallum has a good chin he can be hurt Curry badly hurt McCallum with a right hand, as did Toney in the 12th round of their 1st fight and Toney probably stopped McCallum with a bit more time.

Hearns wins a decision he has enough power to keep McCallum honest and he would be too fast and outbox him over the distance, McCallum has been completely outboxed before unlike Hearns see the Kalambay fight for reference.

 

McCallum was much more a classic counter puncher
than the aggressive boxer-puncher as Hearns was.
McCallum did have a few early ko's against very good
competition like J.Jackson , and D.Curry but each came
off an almost perfect countering opportunity.
He didn't create those opportunities from his own offense.
That would be be an issue against Hearns who'd be smart
enough to use his rapier like jab overtime .
Hearns also cracked quite a few chins that hadn't been
cracked. So even if he didn't stop McCallum he'd make
him reluctant to commit to the type of attack necessary
to beat Him.
I see the fight like this.
Hearns would come out and do what he did, that's
try to ko McCallum early . After testing McCallum
and not getting the early ko, and almost getting
nailed by a few counters , (Two inches in height four
in reach would be key. ) Hearns would move
away from his "Hit man" persona to the "Motor
city cobra"
Fighting smartly behind his jab, and threat of
the right hand he'd cruise on to victory.
McCallum never demonstrated the firepower,
or aggression to beat Hearns or any of
the Fab 5, TBH. at their best.
His best chances would be Duran, Benitez
or Hagler .
Hearn's and Leonard's speed and skills
would be the key to beating him.
McCallum would claim to this day
how he beat Hearns and was cheated
because he wasn't popular
and the other Fab Four ducked him.