Going off the Morlocks thread of p4p, let's say Duran fights Hearns after Hearns beats Cuevas .. Try and leave the Hearn's' was green argument out of it for those who think that as Duran's best weight wasn't 147 .. Trying to find the p4p fair fight for these 2 .. who takes it?
Post Cuevas, Hearns defended against Primera (TKO in 6/15), Shields ( TKO in 12/15), & Baez (TKO in 4/15). At a full 147 lbs, if Hearns boxes smart...he wins a UD. If he gets c0#ky, and tries to take Duran out early, then its the "Leonard fight result" of getting late TKO'ed himself... and Duran wins. (we are talking the aggressive, slick bad bass version of Duran).
Hearns would always beat Duran no matter what weight, he knew how to exploit the jab and had the threat of the right hand, Hearns boxed great against Ray, he would out-jab Duran easily, there was never a fighter in history with Duran`s reach that could ever beat Hearns, he was brilliant in KO`ing Duran at light middle, Duran`s extra speed at welter would help him, but like Foreman at heavyweight any short armed come forward fighter would have a mountain to climb against Hearns. Having said this Duran may still have been better than Hearns p4p because thee is no way a lightweight could ever have Tommy`s reach or power and if you starved Hearns down to lightweight Duran would finish him in a round or even at light welter, Duran was just too small for Tommy.
I've still got Tommy winning it and by vicious ko .Maybe a little later in ,and perhaps Duran even gets a few rounds won and shakes him up a little. But ..that ko from Tommy is coming .
Bull****! Mickey Walker had a 67 inch reach just like Duran. Walker was a bulldog who would drape himself on Hearns, ignore his rt hands, pound the rail thin body with maybe the greatest body punching assault ever and KO weakchinned Hearns before 9. Sweeping statements Mr. 1996. Too much.
Joe Walcott had a 65 inch reach. This man killer who one punched Sharkey and fought everyone has no chance?
Same result, just a different weight. Some fighters are just tailor made for others. Like Frazier for G.Foreman Duran's physical limitations would always be a hindrance against Hearns. The height, reach, speed, and punching power of Hearns is just too great of a obstacle. Though pound for pound greatness would go to Duran.
Barney Ross Homicide Hank and Fritzie all 67 inches. NO CHANCE against Hearns? What does Hearns do to beat these three?
Jake LaMotta 67 inches. Hearns beats the bull you say? Rocky Marciano had a 68 inch reach. Cannon fodder for Hearns right? Another, Ace Hudkins the Nebraska Wildcat. Never kod. But no chance against Hearns?
Hearns would win by knockout in round 4.. I give it two more rounds because Hearns is not as experienced as in 1984.. Duran would not duck under his punches as he did not in 1984 and he would be countered easily. The style is what gets Duran. They were both great. The style wouldn't have meant much if Hearns were not great. But a great fighter with Hearns style always wipes out Duran.. And Hearns and Duran almost fought a rematch at 168 in 1989... I would have picked Hearns but more like a 6th round TKO.
