Bennie Briscoe vs Thomas Hearns

Really tough call here but I'm going to go with Hearns because of his consistent positive results at the top level of the sport and Briscoe's lack thereof. Specifically against less notable opposition.

 

It’s an intellectually dishonest dodge to say ‘and don’t bring up the facts’ in effect.

Now if you want to say that about a Matthew Saad Muhammad or a Mike Weaver who fought on way too long and compiled a long list of L’s when well past it, sure, it’s safe to say ‘I think we can ignore those results because we’re talking about these two at their best.’

But Bennie has losses to journeymen scattered throughout his record. You can’t really pick a ‘prime’ where he was an unstoppable force or at the very top of the middleweight division, a period of a few years where only a Monzon could beat him and be pressed to do that.

If we’re going to ignore his losses, let’s ignore his wins too.

 

That’s fair. One of the things I do see when looking through his resume is that a lot of the lesser guys who beat Bennie were boxer types — even Hagler boxed rather than brawled with him (Marvin was a boxer-puncher, and IIRC he got cut against Briscoe and thought it was safer to box him to protect the cut), and Vito Antuofermo of all people worked well behind the jab against him a lot during their fight — and it’s logical to think that Hearns would fight Bennie that way. So style-wise I think Hearns would give him trouble.

Hearns didn’t go into the Hagler fight trying to make it a savage war; Marvin forced that. And while Bennie was a bob-and-weave pressure fighter, he didn’t come with the ferocity that we saw from Hagler against Hearns. Bennie was more of a plodding stalker than a reckless aggressor. I don’t see BB able to force the terms of combat on Hearns.

 

I understand that Briscoe’s opposition was brought up in reply to the suggestion that Hearns’ would’ve incurred more Ls had he fought in the same era.

However, aside from that, the crux question is how does Bennie Briscoe fare against Tommy Hearns in terms or their own specific styles, strengths and weaknesses.

Not sure either as to the full merits of citing Briscoe’s performance vs Antuofermo and Hagler. Briscoe was a very well worn 35 yo when he faced both men, 10/12 years their senior with about 80 fights, give or take, already behind him.

Anyway, Tommy should technically be able to box this one out - but, Briscoe won’t be stopped and he will keep coming.

No, Bennie won’t be advancing, Marv Hags, “tear you a new one” style but the pressure will be constant and Hearns will be expending good energy to stay on the move out of harm’s way and keeping up sufficient offence as a further safe guard and deterrent.

Over 15 rounds , Bennie might find his best opportunities in the Championship rounds when Hearns will wilt somewhat and begin to lose the rigidity in his legs by way of Briscoe’s sufficiently steady body work and Tommy’s own inherent fatigue.

So, UD for Tommy but reserve for the chance that Briscoe could catch up with and overrun a flagging Hearns in the very later rounds.

 

Briscoe was aggressive, and could crowd Tommy and force a pace, like how he tried to crowd Hagler but got chopped up. I think Hearns would have to fight a near flawless fight to beat Benny, the thing is, Hearns is one of the few fighters I think could actually fight a near flawless fight, and as quick and long as Hearns was, Benny is gonna have to take a lot to deliver.

Hearns UD15 as I question if Hearns could stop him at MW.

 

I believe that Marvelous Marvin Hagler fought Bennie Briscoe in 1978, Bad Bennie's best days were well behind him, he had lost a 15 round decision to eventual Undisputed World Middleweight Champion Rodrigo Valdes on Nov 5 1977, following the retirement of Carlos Monzon. Not trying to rain on Hagler's parade but Briscoe began fighting in 1962, and he fought them all. But Hagler's victory was impressive.

 

Cheers, Richard. I was just alluding to Marvin's style when he fought Bennie.

 

At some point, it is going to get physical, and then Bennie will stop Tommy. Which would be around the 13th round.

 

I think the most likely outcome for me is Hearns winning a decision. Dangerous fight though. Briscoe could punch and had an iron chin. Tommy would have to be careful.