More deserving of P4P top 10: Ward or Froch?

I always go back and forth. To be fair it's probably as hard as it gets to pick a winner there. McCallum by stoppage would probably be a popular pick I'd think, but I don;t know, difficult one.

 

Yeah, as you say, he must be up there h2h. The fact I constantly comment that Robinson would beat him imo is testament to how good he was. Because if you're having to go to Robinson to get beat then you must be ****ing superb!

 

Over how many? :think

 

I'm not saying I favour him, because I don't, but for me at 147 Trinidad has a better chance than what is usually given to him. I mean, you can see on film that Hearns is just flat out better but Hearns never had a great defense and always came to fight. Probably the two worst ever traits to have when being in the ring with Felix Trinidad, who is one of the greatest finishers that 147 has ever seen. Tito never learned how to cut off the ring, and Hearns has lateral movement, don't get me wrong, but he just doesn't fight like that in the vast majority of instances, he could definitely be hit and hurt by Tito. Tito usually finishes the job too. Hearns has the better chances though, of course.

I've seen people saying that Ike Quartey would have beaten Tito, I think he gets decapitated completely. Quartey is so game and come forward behind his jab, I would bet my house on it that his gameness would be his undoing. If I had a house to bet that is.

 

Gavilan for sure. Leonard (;-)), Robinson (what a fight that would be) Walcott, I can't say, though I think you and I discussed the possibilities before IIRC.

Griffith has the chin, strength and adaptability to trouble Hearns. I'd favour Tommy to win if he dipped into the boxing skills we only really saw against Ray. Whilst Griffith has an underrated dig IMO, and was more of a puncher at 147, I don't think he'll consistently trouble Hearns with his shots Hearns via decision in a battle.

Going on from Griffith, LMR would beat Hearns IMO.

 

Henry Armstrong I would not give a great chance, I think he'd have to take a little too much. Though clearly his whirlwind style, chin and power deserve respect in that matchup, but I dunno, its tough to see him coming through it all in typical fashion.

Barney Ross?

 

LMR is the ****in **** man. The battle of the jabs would be something to behold, put it that way. Do you reckon LMR out jabs Hearns? Now Rodriguez IS a fighter that could control distance perfectly without getting sloppy with it (at his best)

 

Rounds or fights?

If its rounds then Leonard applies the pressure earlier and gets a 11th round KO instead of a 14 round KO IMHO. The greats pace a fight, Arguello, Monzon Leonard, Sanchez etc scored late stoppages because they could pace a fight and apply pressure at the right times, not because they got lucky at the end of fights.

 

Great post. Trinidad is arguably the no.1 finisher at Welter IMO, Cuevas-esque for pure power and a more intelligent punch picker. Tito always went down early at 147, Hearns could get him out of there. If Tito doesn't smash him into oblivion afterwards but gets his respect, over 12 (for sure) Hearns will box his way to a decision. Tito was pretty durable at Welter IMO, much like JMM he wouldn't stay hit if put down, he'd come back with renewed vigour.

My pick would be Hearns via early stoppage though. That kind of power will cut straight through durability, it'd take a fighter of Ray Leonard, or the above nominees, to come through that and win IMO. Tito, an 11-20 Welter all the way, is not quite in that calibre IMO.

Tito would smash through Quartey.

 

I wouldn't favour Ross. Ross is not 'primitive' at all, not one bit about him could be described like that. He's so complete and technical though that I don't see it happening for him, which sounds ironic I know, he'd probably eat the jab a lot and be outfought too I think.

 

Great minds mate He was another on my "maybe" list but I was less sure of him from styles point of view.

 

Good point, its no easy task outboxing Hearns. Even if you're more technically 'perfect' than him, that doesn't equate to winning the rounds. But I think the main point is, not enough power. Sneaky puncher yes, ability to trouble Hearns consistently, not so sure. I don't see anyone beating Hearns that can't trouble him.

 

Yeah, good post yourself there Flea. The whole weak chin thing about Tito is very overrated, as you say he was durable at 147 and I can't remember him being really hurt, despite the knockdowns (apparently he was hurt in one of his very early fights but I don't recall it).

I remember my mate said he read something that said Tito was at his most dangerous after being dropped, which sounds ****ing insane! Imagine it, dropping someone, being made up thinking you've got it in the bag, but he's getting up and coming to behead you! Haha.

 

The perfect examples IMO :good

TFFP, as strong and P4P proof as Armstrong is, I think he's wading into Hell here with Hearns.

Ross, master though he is, just doesn't have the pop to get Tommys respect. Hearns would walk him down and land the much better work. Ross was so crafty and tough though, would shudder to think of the beating he'd absorb.

McLarnin would also get wasted IMO.

Oh, and McCallum would beat Hearns. Have always thought that. He does have the right blend of chin, offence, technical ability and size required to offset Tommys freakish attributes IMO. His body assault would pay dividends, he'd punch out a decision or late stoppage IMO.

Hearns Vs Jackson @154; the ultimate shootout? Hearns for me, but oh, boy:-(

 

good post. Outboxing Hearns is as you say, such a difficult task that it's quite absurd. You would need somebody like a LMR who moves side to side brilliantly and manipulates the distance at which the fight is being dictated, and even then I don't know if I see it happening. Sugar Ray Leonard was totally outboxed by him for what? 12 rounds or so? Says a lot.