in they're prime at middleweight who would win? this is how they match up in my opinion chin - hopkins handspeed - hearns(by a whisker) attacking skills - hearns defence - hopkins power - hearns heart - even height/reach - hearns consistency - hopkins endurance - even ring generalship - hopkins very hard one to pick but i tend to think hopkins. hearns is more dangerous no doubt but also tends to be vulnerable, something hopkins defenitely isn't i could see this being a boring chess match but see hopkins edging out a SD or UD by frustrating hearns if hearns decides to brawl he wears himself out without landing anything significant hopkins being well aware of his power and controlling the last half of the fight
On the surface, this looks like an easy pick for Hopkins, but Hearns was ahead against a peak Leonard before gassing late. He also defeated a great boxer in Benitez and a prime Virgil Hill when past his best. I don't see Tommy scoring a Ko, and a knockout win for Hopkins is certainly possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hearns win a decision. Afterall, he was never really outboxed by anyone, despite a winning or losing outcome.
A come from behind KO win for Hopkins but I wouldn't bet the house on it. Hearns by decision is not unimaginable.
Surprised nobody is rallying around the Hitman. Hopkins would be facing a serious boxer that's got one of the deadliest jab-straight right combos in the history of the sport. This could be a close fight with the decision going either way. I don't think Hopkins coasts to a UD win against Hearns.
Pretty much agree. Hearns combination of strengths and weaknesses meant, I believe, he had the ability to defeat a lot of great middles, and lose to some lesser ones
There was a distinct difference between Tommy's mobility below Middleweight compared to when he was there. He was quite simply a lesser fighter at the weight and above than he was at 154 and 147 IMO. That Hearns was never outboxed doesn't mean too much in this fight, Hopkins wouldn't be trying to 'outbox' Hearns on the outside, he would look to get up close and rough Hearns up on the inside. The most likely scenario in my opinion is Hopkins gradually grinding Tommy down for a late round stoppage. I think he would be in control and ahead on points by the stoppage as well.
Hopkin's, and I have very little doubt in that pick. Tommy was murder at long and mid range, but what's he going to do when Hopkin's puts him through a meat grinder in close while nullifying absolutely everything Hearn's can do? Holding Tommy's left in a arm lock while clubbing him, typical Hopkin's stuff. Hopkin's was and is an expert at disarming his opponents, and when you disarm Tommy there isn't a chin behind that power to get him through a fight like this in my opinion.
Hopkins will just figure out the best fight strategy as he always does and execute it, which probably means pressuring, getting to close range and roughing Hearns up. Is everyone forgetting how relentless Prime Hopkins was? Hopkins mid-late KO
Hearns by UD. The only fighter hopkins came up against with similar boxing skills was Jones Jnr & we all know what happened. That left hand of Tommy's was as equally awesome as his right hand. Luv both fighters but Tommy for mine.