He said that Hearns was not the most talented of the original Kronk boxers. I'm not a huge fan of Steward to be honest, but this just seems like a load of bull**** to me. Anyone familiar with this era of Kronk? Were there boxers with more talent than Hearns? Or is this just Steward hyping his abilities as a trainer? My money is on the latter.
I don't think he said that to hype his ability as trainer, i think he said that in an exxagerated way to emphasize his point, which you didn't mention, but was: "Hearns was not the most talented boxer, but his dedication to training was insane; he'd be there every day, after school, etc etc".
You are correct about the follow up statement, but still it doesn't seem an accurate portrayal of Hearns in the least. He wasn't a boxer of average talent who made it to where he was due mainly to dedication , but rather a freak of a talent and a freak of a physical specimen in the welter class. I'm interested in who his more talented boxers were.
Yeah in the end i guess it was an exxageration, which Steward is not new to. I will add one thing though: he was not known at all as a talented puncher in the amateurs. Maybe he meant it in that way.
there was a middleweight at Kronk by the name of Bernard "Super Bad" Mays, who was regarded as being the most talented member of the team. Mays had a problem with alcholism, which ruined his career. Hearns was the most dedicated boxer at the gym though...
i remember a interview when asked who has been his favourite boxer he trained and be involved he said tommy hearns to this day was his favourite , second was lennox
acb- Not sure if there is any footage of Mays(?) I'm pretty sure ragingb(_)ll would have some info, give him a PM
EM used to say McCrory was a better natural puncher than Hearns. I'm not sure if McCrory's punches looked better on the bag or what, but in the real world of the ring there was no comparison whatsoever. McCrory had a big rep as a Hearns clone early on and was kncking most out, long snapping jab and big right hand but he fell short in the long run. Still a damn good fighter tho.
Hearns, McCrory, Dujan Johnson, Mike McCallum, Michael Moorer.....just take a piece out of each one and build a "Super Fighter".
