BEST I FACED: THOMAS HEARNS

Just rewatched parts of Leonard-Hearns. A lot is made of Dundee's "you're blowing it, son" and Leonard himself acknowledges that it was crucial, but a minute or so before was another moment that I think was very important. It was when Leonard attacked Hearns and didn't land anything, but knocked Hearns down with the impact when they came together. He must have felt that Hearns's legs were going and increased in confidence when he saw that. Small things like that can be deciding when you have two guys that evenly matched.

 

I'd also say that something that gets forgotten about this fight is what fortitude Hearns showed in getting himself together after the 6th and 7th. He was hurt in the 6th, both to the head and body, and was beaten from pillar to post in much of the 7th, but managed to get the initiative back in the 8th by changing tactics. That's a very admirable thing to do. Especially for a young fighter who hasn't known much adversity in his pro career.

The guts and smarts Tommy showed there gets overshadowed by the fact that he was stopped in the end.

 

Its a good point here as Manny wanted Tommy the bigger stronger fighter .. just didnt happen as they botched the weight and SRL was the stronger man that night . .and more to your point that I think Ray new where he stood in the fight and Tommy was weakening, the ring IQ ... I mean its one thing for your trainer to tell you do something and another actually doing it and being able to execute

 

He got him got once I think early ..and so did Duran ,, but probably not as powerful as they would have wanted it .. ya probably wasnt a clean shot
but Tommy did take a couple

 

Leonard won the first three rounds on almost every card I've seen and he won the fourth on heaps of cards too. So what we have is Leonard not only winning the cagey part of the fight but he then accelerates as the fight goes on and puts Benitez on more dangerous ground. He was simply a better boxer, a better fighter.

 

Slipping and countering the jab is just one part of boxing. Leonard actually won the battle of the jabs vs Benitez. No-one at welter or junior welter ever won the battle of the jabs with Tommy, his jab is in the convo for best ever and his reach and height advantages at the lower weights were absurd. Add his speed and sharpness in and no, Leonard was always going to struggle with his jab. He's hardly going to outbox such a praying mantis at range.

 

If my Granny had balls , she would be my Grandad, you can put IF anywhere you like, don't mean **** . stay safe buddy.

 

I can’t remember the specifics but Hearns said after the Duran fight that he let Roberto tag him and had to regroup — not that he was hurt, but ‘I had to stop and regroup and get myself together.’ Basically, saying for a few seconds he fell into Duran’s fight rather than use his reach and height. And right after that exchange IIRC, he took Roberto out.

 

Duran caught Hearns with a flush counter right hand just before he was KO'd, absolutely. It seemed to just bounce off but Hearn's did make note of it.

 

You're absolutely right about Hearns determination and ability to change tactics. But that's why he is a ATG and in my view the 3rd best welterweight in history only behind Robinson and Leonard head to head.

 

I concur on having Hearns up very, very high H2H.

In fact, in a mythical H2H where he fights each of the Rays five times in their primes and his, no way he gets shut out. In fact he could end up 5-5 when it’s all played out.

The welterweight Hitman is a nightmare matchup for any 147 who ever lived.

 

The problem for Curvas and Duran because of the enormous height and reach differences they couldn't get any real leverage on their punches.
Factor in Hearns speed , punching power and overall skill level , what happened in their fights against Hearns was almost predestined.
A issue most if not all welterweights of similar height and reach would have against Hearns regardless of their skill level.
Think about this Hearns fought and won a championship well past his prime at cruiserweight. His reach was better than a lot of heavyweights ATG's.
He was a freak of nature at welterweight. Only the very best in history at the welterweight limit beat him in my opinion.