Why did Tommy Hearns fight Hagler's fight?

Hearns had no choice. Hagler was willing to do anything to make it a dogfight.

 

Because if he didn’t he was going to be completely overwhelmed early. Hagler came to wage no quarters war, he had no intention of letting it go past a few rounds, he didn’t LET Hearns have a choice, Hearns had to comply to survive.

 

Hgler had a 75 inch reach and Tommy`s legs weren`t that quick, he needed to get Hagler`s respect by sticking and moving he wouldn`t been able to do that plus he was slower at 160 that at lower weights, Hagler`s hands were quick too. Most boxers couldn`t have out-boxed Hagler on the outside, he wasn`t easy to hit.

 

Because Hearns wanted to be remembered by all on our Forum for taking part in one of, if not the most exciting first round in boxing history.

As others have answered Mr Hagler did not give Mr Hearns much option.

 

It was hard for Tommy to box when Hagler was all over him.

Hearns did try to get some distance midway through the first round and from the 2nd round on, but Hagler kept getting to him.

 

Hagler forced Hearns to fight his fight he didn't really have much choice in the matter.

Hagler even said in a interview he jumped on Hearns straight away so he couldn't box and use his reach, and at close distance Hearns was alot more ineffective because he needed range to land that devastating right hand.

 

Here’s some of was said by the Hearns camp about strategy before the fight:

Emanuel Stewart: “The first thing Tommy will do is take away Marvin’s right hand, his jab. Hagler fights from the southpaw position, but he’s really right-handed. His left hand is not dangerous unless he gets up close. From a distance, he’s awkward. With Tommy’s long left jab, we’ll put some fear in him. Marvin’s going to hurt. Then Tommy will come back with the right hand aimed at the side of Marvin’s head. Even if the punch misses, he’ll still feel the power. If not, he’ll feel the wind.”

Thomas Hearns: “Every fighter’s weakness is his body. You can strengthen up your mind and body, but when it comes down to the stretch your body is the weakest thing. A fighter takes a lot of punishment to the body and it catches up with you. … Marvin thinks he can take all he wants to the midsection, but that’s not true. My plans for the fight aren’t to take him out with head blows but to use the body attack, to show him how effective I can be to the body. … He can be hurt there just like anybody else.”

Stewart planned for Hearns to target the scar tissue over Marvin’s eyes to open him up in the first couple of rounds, either to gain a stoppage or to impair Hagler’s vision to make Hearns more effective.

Stewart: “The left jab’ll cut Marvin because of all that scar tissue.”

Emanuel also revealed that he thought Marvin was reaching a vulnerable stage of his career. He thought Hagler was ripe to be taken due to wear and tear.

Stewart: “Any fighter today after he’s had 60 fights and is over 30 years old, deterioration shows. He starts slowing down.”

 

Whoa... way too much careless talk by Tommy, and even worse, by Stewart.
They basically gave their battle plan away...

It is like Ali saying out loud: "You know? I am planning to lay on the ropes and let George come to me and punch himself out of the fight".
It is like Schmelling proclaiming: "No worries, I got Louis figured out and every time he throws a left jab I will use my cross right".

Seriously, what a pair of loudmouths.

 

Any scenario where Hearns wins?

 

Unless Hagler fought more passive like he did against Duran then no I don't see it.

 

As has been said,Marvin gave Tommy no choice. Hearns was trapped in the most savage of storms. Hagler was on fire that night.

 

Marvin was equally open on his plan, which was to come out and force the fight and walk through Hearns. And he did.

(Although he was far less specific on how he would go about trying to accomplish it as far as the technical side, but Manny did like to show off his knowledge.)

 

Honestly if you see a lot of his fights he comes out like that in reckless form, not exactly that reckless but reckless. he liked to brawl and go for the knockout when he got older more. He loved his power. And it is true both guys were fed up with each other with the press conferences and you could tell that a lot of the intensity in round one had to do with emotions as much as fight tactics of Hagler.

 

In many ways Hearns biggest weakness was his recklessness when he was landing punches. He was so sharp that when he landed he would leave himself open and in many of his fights that was what created losses or tough fights. When he got older this created some exciting fights and usually he made it through. He was an exciting fighter. One of the most exciting, which is why he is remembered so well. Sometimes I wish he would have sat back and used his jab to set up his right, but he loved the excitement of a knockout.