40 years ago

Scientifically, yes.

 

I’m not disputing that. I’m just confused as to why it’s even being brought up. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re reaching at straws.

Let’s move past it. Answer me this, why did the bigger, stronger, faster, more powerful Hearns suddenly have so much trouble finishing his opponents at his “best weight class”?

 

Probably because 2 of them were ATG's and the others were at least decent. If knocking out Jimmy Rothwell and 2 dozen other cans validates Hearns power then go for it.

 

He knocked out one of the ATGs. All good, though, we’ll leave the other (Benitez) out of it, too. So now we’re only evaluating him against standard opposition.

Let’s take all of his post-Leonard fights where he weighed in under, or even near, the limit of 154. That’s 7 fights where he managed 4 KOs. Minus Duran and Benitez, he still only managed to stop 3 of the 5. That’s compared to 30 KOs in 32 wins at Welterweight. Is your argument that he simply never faced guys on this level at Welter?

If his power is greater there, why is he immediately and consistently having more trouble putting away even the Euro level guys?

 

The Euro guys are better than Lenny the cab driver from Detroit. You also didn't refute my point about Pacquiao and RJJ increasing their power and toughness as they rose weight classes. Your point was they physically matured, but somehow that same logic doesn't apply to Hearns? It's inconsistent.

The clavicles don't seal until around age 25. A 25 year old Hearns would knock the block off a 20 year old Hearns. You know it and I know it.

 

So Luigi Minchillo and Ernie Singletary were better than Cuevas, Curry, Shields, Muangsurin, Espada, Weston, Gray, Finch, etc?

I definitely answered your point about Pacquiao. I didn’t think a rebuttal was possible. However, you’re now trying to suggest that a poor, malnourished teenager growing into a healthy, well fed man is basically the same physical transformation that occurs when a 24 year old turns 25 and his clavicles seal.

I don’t really have any further interest in that discussion.

I’ll chime in on Roy’s situation at 154 compared to Hearns’ at 147, though. Here’s the difference: Roy never even campaigned there. He weighed in below 154 exactly twice within his first two years as a pro. He was essentially a Middleweight from the beginning.

Hearns did campaign at 147, however. To the tune of 33 fights and 5 title bouts over a span of 4 years before deciding to move up on his own accord.

Quite a bit different than Pacquiao’s situation and Roy’s non-situation.

 

The book the 'Four Kings' by George Kimball said Hearns had bad hand problems during his stretch between 147 and 160. There was concern from Emmanuel Steward going into the Duran fight that his hands would be damaged in camp.

 

Anything concrete?

 

Nothing other than what the book says. He said he injured vs Benitez, and for the next few fights he was either incapable of searching for the KO as it hurt too much, or he didn't have the confidence to. Steward said he didn't even throw his power shots in sparring, no doubt electing to work on his jab and move tactics.

 

Good info if true. Still supports my side of the argument that Hearns didn’t show better power when he moved up.

 

Plus strength .....far better at 154

 

Good call on Hearns defense, his range control was key. It's the same thing that Steward taught Wladimer K. ,,make them fight the arms at range. And just like Wlad if you got to the inside of Hearns he could be ko'ed.

 

said lightweight lol