I think Hearns has become very over rated at 147 .. he is known for two fights .. stopping Cuevas and losing to Leonard .. he left the division forever at the age of 22 .. Tito had far more experience at 147, a huge career , beat better fighters, matured as a fighter and never lost at 147 .. I favor Tito .. far more experience, a better two handed puncher, better stamina , took a better shot ..
50/50 type of fight for me! If forced to pick I guess I would go with Hearns but not with any confidence, I wouldn’t bet on this at all. I think Trinidad is getting dismissed to quickly, but hey this is classic lol
This is my feeling exactly. While I would slightly favor Hearns at welter I think Trinidad is very underrated in that class
Hearns is so overrated. Felix beat better welters, and tho anything could happen in this fight, I would put my money on Trinidad, mostly becuz fools would drive up the odds so much.
There's not much knowledge around regarding Hearns actual early career and era. Clyde Gray was still considered the 3rd best welterweight in the world. He was in the twilight but still winning and a fledgling Hearns beat him in just his 15th fight. Weston was still in the middle of the top 10 and was coming off a close title shot loss to Benitez. Espada was comfortably in the top 10 and absolutely belted. Primera was top 10. Shields was sniffing around the 5 mark. Pretty sure Colbert was still a top 10 middle tho Hearns weighed 152. Hearns and SRL together cut an absolute swathe through the welterweight scene. Between them they cleaned house which is why when they did meet the fight was of such magnitude. It wasn't simply because they'd beaten the likes of Benitez, Duran and Ceuvas but they'd also run through the division. The last men left standing were Hearns and Ray and then of course Ray.
Being up on the cards after 13 rounds against an absolute prime Sugar Ray Leonard is more impressive than anything Trinidad ever did.
Dlh didn't give him a boxing lesson, he gave him a lesson in track and field. Oscar lost more than the fight but a ton of respect. Think about it, he didn't throw away his career, chance for greatness because Trinidad wasn't giving him a reason. Hearns didn't have much of a size advantage in this one. He still has some reach but it would but Tito would be looking him eye to eye and he's dangerous with either hand. As I stated before I would pick Tommy Hearns but I'm not gambling on this one. I wouldn't put $ on Hearns chin this time. Trinidad's power is a bit overlooked at '47. I acknowledge possibility that he catches Tito's early is there and maybe Tommy's best if not only option. If Trinidad takes this to the Middle rounds and is still in decent form its gonna be one of those life and death put on your seat belt wars. Tito's more durable , stronger legs carries power late. If Felix melts Tommy's legs one time just throw your betting slips in the garbage immediately...along with your Pistons, Lions, and Tigers gear and your Chris Weber fathead.
Harold Weston was more than surviving and holding his own but starting to severely test Hearns when he was thumbed and had to end the fight. That was the first fight that Hearns looked beatable at 147. Shields also made Hearns look less than invincible, going almost 13 rounds, absorbing Hearn's power and extending him .. if you watch these fights you see Hearns did not orbit Mt. Olympus at 147 prior to Ray ..
I've always thought Trinidad was a touch overrated. He would need to traverse levels on the night, to get the better of Hearns. By KO or Decision, Hearns wins this.
Thanks again JT. I was just about to write something very similar. Hearns and Leonard EARNED their shots at the title by beating some very capable contenders. Hearns didn't just stop by the weight class for Cuevas and Leonard, as you wrote, it's the reason their fight was so big, they destroyed everybody who was somebody in the division. Imagine that, fighting the best competition available on the way to a championship.
They all have their struggles tho HG. Have a look at Ali - Cooper just prior to him whooping Liston. Hearns had 69 rounds behind him when fighting Weston and had been a professional for just 18 months. Weston was a wily old fighter (and highly rated contender) as Benitez found out x 2. It was a good learning tool for Hearns in much the same way Tillis was for Tyson not long before he took the title by storm, like Hearns did. Weston claimed he was thumbed but there was no controversy at the time. Hearns should have "looked beatable" given the career stage he was at. Shields did not win a single round in 12 of them before succumbing to the damage Hearns had inflicted on him. Shields was rated the 6th best welterweight in the world so it's certainly not a bad nights work by Hearns who was never hurt and always in control even if the bout did get a bit scrappy and wild at times. Shields also went 15 with the monster punching champion Pipino Cuevas and ran him quite close.
