Fantasy Matchup: Thomas Hearns vs Mike McCallum

I would take the Body snatcher in all 3 fights

 

I’d take Hearns in all three!

 

McCallum at 154. Hearns at 160, 175

 

I've got Mike at any weight. So did Manny Steward.

Nobody ever knocked McCallum out from junior Middleweight to cruiserweight and I don't believe Tommy would either. I just see McCallum breaking Tommy down and wearing him out.

 

It's always been Hearns for me too. What he brings to the table is a tough gig for McCallum and the only way Mike wins is via stoppage. I've never rated him as highly power wise as many seem to tho he was good puncher, for sure. Hearns post Hagler would be the most vulnerable version for mine but McCallum isn't the typical big aggressive middleweight he struggled with around that point either.

 

If Sumbu Kalambay can school Mike McCallum, then I think Hearns can decision him at 154 atleast. At the higher weights it becomes more dangerous for Hearns.

But for me despite McCallum being a great fighter, hes not really a stand out fighter regarding speed or power. And he doesn't really lift the pace as he often fights in 1 gear, and doesn't really have the explosiveness.

Am I making sense here ? Sometimes I just ramble on TBH. But at their peak I favour Hearns by decision.

 

Hearns 154
Mike 160
Hearns 175

 

you are ... But Mike was tough, strong and never stopped and Hearns lost to those type of guys at 160 ... Mike out lasts him there at MW

 

Yeah I agreed with your post Hearns at 154, 175, and McCallum at 160 is pretty reasonable.

 

ya I agree with yours ..... I'll say they are all 50-50 fights tbh.. but to have some fun here and imo
Tommy Lights him up at 154
Mike stops Tommy at 160
and how old was Mike at 175 ?? lol, like 38 already ..... Tommy felt really good at that weight and looked good
Tommy UDs him

 

I feel like Hearns rebounded after the 2nd Leonard fight, i'm not sure if that fight gave him confidence ? or what it was. But he performed very well in that fight, which probably surprised Leonard after Hearns's shaky performances against Roldan, Barkley 1, Kinchen. And after that Hearns did have a nice little run a one sided decision over Olajide, and then obviously the big win over Hill.

I think overall the Hearns that decisioned Hill was a better P4P fighter than McCallum was at Light Heavyweight.

 

Without a doubt, Hearns loved 175 , his body felt good there .. and thats what happens when he spent the majority of his career constantly going up and down weight .. he'd fight at LW at next fight at MW .. he'd fight 2 years at 154 then go up to 160 and fight Hagler .. Hearns wasnt even fighting there at the time... He wasnt doing himself any favors because your body just doesn't feel good because you cant settle in really .. Who else is Boxing ever did it that way?? ... thats why his resume and what he did is so damn impressive imo remaining incredibly active, constantly jumping up and down for 10 years to always fight the best is crazy

 

Yeah that's a good point i often forget he beat Dennis Andries, and then went straight back to Middleweight that seems crazy honestly. Based on his one sided performance against Andries, Hearns probably would've been better off staying at Light Heavyweight after the Andries win.

And looking at the Light Heavyweight division during that era, it wasn't really the strongest era at that time. Obviously all the big names like Spinks, Qawi, Muhammad, Johnson, were no longer there. So Hearns easily could of picked up a belt and had a nice little reign for a few years.

You know what else is also interesting ? imagine Hearns vs Moorer at Light Heavyweight in say 1989 ? i wonder who Emanuel Steward would side with ? since they were both Kronk fighters that would've been awkward.

That's actually gave me an idea for a thread.