Tommy Hearns vs Roy Jones Jr

Roy was a monster puncher at 160' but his style wasn't hat going out for KOs. Knowing Tommy's punching reputation Roy would be boxing carefully.

I'd expect a decision win for Roy. I can see Hearns touching canvas at some point.

 

As much as I love the Hitman, RJJ was a monster at 160- 168 ! He`d finish Hearns inside 6 rounds... RJJ had insane speed at this weight and great power as well. I think he`d get to Hearns before Hearns could get to him ... RJJ too much of everything at middle for Hearns...

 

Hearn's wasn't as chinny as people like to make out... in comparison to the rest of the Fab 4 then yeah, he had the worst chin of the lot but in general he didn't have a glass jaw by any means.

You can't really compare fighters getting KO'd at different stages of there careers. Tommy was in and around his pomp when him and Hagler went to war which resulted in him getting stopped... Roy wasn't the same fighter when Johnson got to him. Also like you said... Hagler >>> Johnson, no comparison.

 

Any chance Hearns long jab negates Jones`s speed? Hearns has the tools to box from the outside use that range finder to keep Roy out of range. Tommy usually went to war at some point though.

 

An educated jab will always bother a guy who relies on his speed and athleticism. Id pick Hearns at 160. I think above that hes at least unproven and at worst well past his prime.

 

To the posters who think that Jones would get a KO, think again, he played it very safe against Toney and agreen Hopkins, he will do the same against Hearns, guaranteed.

50/50 fight IMO.

Someone mentioned Hill, unless my recollection betrayes me, Hearns got to Hill long before Jones did and believe took his O, had to be in the early nineties and Jones did it in 97 or 98.

Pure memory here, some one can correct me.

 

I agree. Roy didn't have that killer mindset. He'd try for a KO if one presented itself, but he didn't get in the ring with that killer mindset. Tommy did, and that could influence how Jones would fight.

You have to give Tommy a chance here...it would be extremely foolish not to. I'd favour Jones a little, but Tommy was an excellent all-rounder and a good puncher himself, who is taller and rangier than Jones.

My big fear in this fight would be Hearns' tendency to drop his right hand. Jones had a blazing lead left hook, and that could be a big factor here. Hearns is walking a bit of a tightrope because I don't think he can afford to cut loose as he often did.
Jones was too good a counterpuncher. Hearns would have to box smartly, but at the same time, let Jones know that he means business in there.

 

I was thinking along the lines of what Vernon Forest was able to do with Shane Mosley when Shane was at his peak. Mosley was no Jones but then again Forest was no Hearns.

Could be a rich man`s version of that matchup stylewise.

 

Agree on your first point. Tommy Hearns did win the Light Heavy Title a couple of times. I woudn`t call him unproven.

 

Its true. Hearns beat a much better version of Hill.

 

Hearns jab bothers Jones initially somewhat but as soon as Jones starts realising he needs to be aggressive and come forward Hearns is getting destroyed at mid range.

 

Did you actually watch that fight? A past-prime Hearns was skinning him alive before he got caught, and not too many Middleweights would have taken that punch and got back up. Certainly not RJJ.

 

Hearns can not be discounted. Had the punch he landed on Hagler landed on RJJ it could have been a different story. However, Jones was at his best around this weight and you would have to give him the edge, either via decision or KO, depending on how Hearns fought. If for example he fought with the same flagrant disregard that he did against Hagler, there is no way that fight is going to the cards.

 

Roy, and dare I say pretty easily

 

Roy also demonstrated an excellent orthodox jab and an up jab when he chose to use them. See Bhop I. And it was, as expected, a very FAST jab.

I see Roy's footwork and angles working around Tommy and abusing him. Once Jones found his rhythm it was very hard to derail him. Just too fast to work in the proper counters. Possible stoppage or fairly wide decision in Jones, Jr's favor.