I know its a pretty hard matchup to make a pick, but any opinions? Maybe Griffith outworks Hearns late and grabs the win, its a really close fight in my eyes and cant decide
Cracking fight, Hearns would outpoint Griffith though. There's no one in welterweight history who can *outpoint* Hearns. Remember that this is Hearns at 147lbs. He's a strong guy so I wouldn't overrate the strength of Griffith. I think Tommy's jab will cause him long standing problems. I do think that Griffith would outhustle Hearns on the inside to win some rounds, force a taxing fight in phases. You would have thought that with Griffith's excellent boxing, combination punching and strength, he'd wear Hearns down and for sure he would...however although Hearns wouldn't knock Griffith out, a late surge for Griffith in my view is to be ruled out because of the accumulation of damage inflicted by Hearns. Overall, 9 rounds to 6. Hearns. I can understand why someone may say Griffith but it is largely wishful thinking IMO.
This is a really tough one to pick. I could see it going down a number of ways. You could make a case for Hearns stopping Griffith based on his power, you could make a case for Griffith stopping Hearns based on Hearns' chin, you could make a case for either outpointing the other. I don't know. Im gonna have to sit on the fence on this one and just enjoy everyone else's comments.
I'm picking Hearns by decision in a tactical fight...Hearns' height, speed, reach, and power (and the jab) are all edges against the overall excellent Emile Griffith.
Griffith was too strong and too savvy for Hearns...I think Emile would have maybe lost one out of three...all three being decisions.
Hearns on points for me. Griffith will take rounds by getting inside and doing damage there but by and large I think we see Tommy keeping Emile at range.
People forget that Hearn's career at 147 ended at the age of 22 or so .. after that he was gone .. he really had very few top fights at 147 and lost his biggest one .. I have always felt Hearn's best weight and run was at 154 where he hit his prime ..
Are you picking Griffith at 147 and Hearns at 154? Hearns did lose his biggest fight at 147 but looked great most of the way and it was a loss to IMO one of the top 3 welterweights of all time Griffith had quite a few fights around 154 so theres no problem imagining it at that weight aswell if people feel it makes a difference, I do think Hearns was a bit sturdier at that weight than he was at 147
Some other things ive been thinking about involving this matchup While Griffith isnt really thought of as having huge power, his left hook was very sneaky and had pop to it, he knocked Dupas and the very durable Ortega down with a sneaky left. Hearns did have a bit of a leaky defense, he sometimes dropped his hands when on the offense and this could be a time where Griffith may be able to hurt him. Leonard did wobble Tommy with a good shorter left hook up close earlier in their fight. Griffith was also very strong and good late, had good late stoppages over Paret x2 and Ortega, Emile was the strongest welterweight ive seen, while Hearns didnt look very strong or very good on the inside at 147, Leonard showed that in their meeting, Tommy also looked quite tired in the later stages of their fight I do think this fight favors Griffith the later it goes but still a very close fight for me
Hearns by decision He would probably opt to move and box, Griffith was too good to be bombed out early by Hearns. Hearns would be tested in the later rounds but probably would hold on to win, unlike against Leonard.
Griffith was certainly capable of at least dropping Hearns. Griff had sneaky power, and it's forgotten that he was the first to deck a 10 lbs heavier Tiger....who had never before been decked (Tiger had the same chin reputation as Hagler back then)....and he was the first to deck Benvenuti as well.