I went with Hearns on points. McCallum was durable and had good defense so I’m fairly confident he goes the distance. He’d also give a good account of himself
I see a very close fight with Hearns maybe even being ahead on points until the mid to late rounds when Hearns starts fading from the body work and volume. I could see McCallum stopping him late.
I visualise McCallum coming from behind,wearing Hearns down with heavy bodyshots and stopping him late in bout.
Great and entertainment fight. Hearns uses his speed, footwork, and combinations from various angles to win most of the rounds, but he wants to knock out McCallum and exchanges head-on with the Bodysnatcher. McCallum works continuously to the body and after the 10th round Tommy accuse the opponent's previous work . In the 13th he goes to the canvas but makes it to the end of the round. In the 14th McCallum has Hearns against the ropes and hits him hard several times, Tommy is badly hurt and not respond to punches, the referee stops the fight. McCallum by TKO in the 14th round.
Hearns, and as good as Mac was, it's comfortable for Hearns. Quicker, better jab, better movement, bigger hitter. Mac's advantages were toughness and body work. It wouldn't be enough. Hearns could go the distance at Jr MW at a pace.
I just don’t see Tommy making it 15 against an extremely crafty, hard to hit , iron chinned , fast, hard punching, master body puncher. But who knows ? This content is protected
Hearns by UD. Hearns had all the tools to beat McCallum. Height and reach, hand and foot speed, great skills, that complimented his height and reach, devastating power that would keep McCallum honest. McCallums advantages were his chin, and countering skills, one of the greatest body attacks in the last 50yrs. Hearns would keep McCallum at the end of his jab. ( Probably the greatest jabs in history from welterweight to middleweight) Drop the right hand early, keep McCallum on the defensive waiting on the perfect opportunity that will never arrive. McCallum thinks the Fab Five avoided him. In one respect he was right, because he was high risk but low reward. But his own ego made it that way. Personally, other than Duràn, ( Which would be 50-50 in my opinion if Duràns at his best) I believe he loses to Hearns, Leonard, Hagler, and Benitez his best night vs there's. McCallum isn't as good as he thinks he is. But he is an ATG . Second best Jr.Middle in history.
I think with Tommy being at his most resilient at 154 would be enough to withstand Mike's late fight body attacks to win a close but clear decision. Like Mike went 10 rounds with Milton McCrory, a guy who was supposed to be the next Tommy Hearns but just wasn't at that same elite level with the Hitman.
I do not like a couple of habits from Mike against this opponent. That real wide looping right hand to the body from way way out on the outside. Not against a Hearns. And he keeps things in that 3rd gear. Think he would have to change up periodically and not be so predictable.
I like McCallum in this one. He sparred quite a bit with Hearns so he won't be in awe of him. I think Mike is savvy enough to avoid being KO'd early. He takes Tommy into the mid rounds and at some point Hearns makes a mistake. When Hearns is hurt I dont see him recuperating against McCallum.
But Mike doesn't really have the same knockout power as Iran Barkley or Marvin Hagler though. Like if Mike were to capitalize on Tommy's mistakes, it would be more similar to how Leonard did in their first fight through breaking him down. Problem is Tommy did recuperate after he got caught by Leonard in the sixth round and at 154 he was probably at his least vulnerable form.
Hearns was at his best at 154. Not slightly weight drained like he was at welterweight. I think he beats McCallum much in the manner he beat Benitez-he will survive rough patches and box from distance.
McCallum at '54 had good power. He was a complete fighter though he didn't depend on it. With a sustained body attack from McCallum I think Hearns would have trouble lasting 15 rounds. Remember Leonard hurt Hearns downstairs and eventually stopped him.