More skilled: Thomas Hearns or Lennox Lewis

Great question. If we're talking about pro only, then it's probably Hearns, especially his definitive wins; flattening Duran in 2 rounds was an insane win P4P. But he also folded against Hagler, Leonard 1, and in both Barkley fights; Lewis knew how to deliver on the big nights more consistently, and avenged his freak one-punch KO losses.

Lewis is one of less than 10 Olympic gold medalists that have gone on to become undisputed as a pro as well. From a skill perspective, fighters who dominate amateur and pro have mastered two versions of the sport, and from a skill perspective, I think this contributes a lot to the argument if we are talking about heavyweights and their skill level, as they do not have the luxury of going up and down the weights to where they feel most natural.

Both were susceptible in the chin department, and while Hearns was more explosive, Lennox knew how to use his size to his advantage far better than Hearns did. It's a tough one, I'd go for Hearns but not by that much.

 

Hearns by a mile or two.
And I like Lewis.

 

I think Hearns had more overall natural talent--which translated into being more skilled. Lewis had excellent boxing fundamentals but Hearns had those as well. Going with the "Hit Man" on this one!!

 

Hearns can't be a serious question

 

Hi Buddy.
You say that, but mother nature made him freakishly tall for his weight, and he had a fearsome right hand granted, but skill ! in my eyes I associate the word with the likes of Benny Leonard, Willie Pep, Jose Napoles, SRL, etc, I don't see Hearns as skillful sorry.
stay safe MF.
Mike.

 

Sorry Mike.
Can't agree on this one. Though his size was a major advantage from welterweight to Jr.Middle. There are a few fights that showed how skilled he was.
The 1st Leonard fight, the Benitez fight, ( where he broke his biggest weapon, the right hand) the Hill fight at Lt.heavy
The entirety of his amateur career demonstrated his skill level because he rarely knocked out any of his opponents .
Hearns in my opinion if he choose to fight safety first , ( like The "money" version of Mayweather Jr. ) probably defeat Marvin Hagler, or Barkley.
The skill level was there.
Hearns was just as skilled as any of the opponents you mentioned, just with a overwhelming height and reach advantage....

 

I agree 100%. Hearns' killer instinct was a bit of a double edged sword. But, it made him the exciting fighter so many of us loved.

 

Hearns had more offensive tools but was more hittable. Both guys took a shot better than their reputation would indicate. I think Lewis had the better boxing system for his body and if Hearns had the conservative attitude of Lewis, he would have been more successful.

 

“Skill” is a tricky word. Was Pep more skilled than Marciano? You’d say, “ God yes, of course.” But was he?

Marciano wasn’t the defensive savant Pep was, and couldn’t move like him, but could Pep grind opponents down like Marciano could? Could he go to the body like Marciano? All of these things are skills, aren’t they? They’re just different skills. So why bother to compare an apple with an orange?

They both had their own skillsets and excelled at them. Same with a comparison like this one.


I still say Hearns though. More adaptable.

 

I’d rather have Lewis’ skillset at heavyweight than Hearns’ skillset at middle.

Neither went down on points often, but Lewis was more reliable in the trenches and better at recovering.

 

Kinchen, Leonard II, his comeback in Leonard I (he wins a 12 rounder), Roldan.

I mean, they weren't heavyweight gut checks but Tommy wasn't a heavyweight but he had his mettle truly tested in all of those fights and came out the other side.

 

Hi Flash.
So you don't agree, put em up,put em up, ........ fair play buddy, I will concede that the above fights did show some skill, not briefed on his amateur career, so can't comment, trying to foresee a fight where he beats Hagler, but finding it difficult, and standing firm on my picks were far more skilled , but as always welcome your critique, such makes the forum go round.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

I mean.....

Hearns throughly outboxed SRL until endurance let him down.

Hearns comfortably outboxed brilliant boxer Wilfred Benitez at IMO his best weight.

Hearns outboxed Virgil Hill while miiiles past peak and up in the weight.

Hearns skill led to Roberto Duran not being able to evade the monstrous right hand. His jabs to both head and body and feints had Duran completely perplexed.

Hearns was virtually impossible to outbox at his peak. You had to knock him out.

That's some assortment of wonderful fighters he outboxed.

 

1. Fighting while tired is a skill.
2. Hearns had every physical advantage over Benitez.
3. Hearns wasn't required to infight against Hill.
4. He had ridiculous physical advantages over Duran.

 

Troll elsewhere.