Fantasy Matchup: Thomas Hearns vs Mike McCallum

Match making was a big part of it. Hill and Olajide were not the types that could back Tommy up which is usually when he would get in trouble. Guys that tried to box with him usually lost. It's when pressure was a applied that Tommy had problems which is why I think McCallum would be a problem. He didn't apply pressure in the way that Barkley or Hagler did, he did it slowly and methodically and would break guys down with body work and counterpunching. McCallum had a toughness and a durability that Hearns simply did not have as great as Hearns was.

 

The thing is though what you have to realize it wasn't really methodical pressure that Hearns had issue with. Hagler basically swarmed all over Hearns with one of the most aggressive displays ever. And Barkley himself was willing to take 3 to land 1, and was on the verge of getting stopped himself until he clocked Hearns. Neither of them styles really fit McCallum's style of fighting.

 

I agree 100% with what you said in regards to Haglar and Barkley. Their game plan was to simply smother Hearns to take away his range and to make him have to fight while backing up. Hearns straight right was not effective without that range and Hearns also had the type of personality to brawl in those situations which was to his detriment.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that McCallum fights anything like Barkley or Hagler. I'm simply saying that he is not going to allow Tommy to stay on the outside and use his physical advantages. McCallum was a master at taking away a fighter's strength. Manny Stewart knew it and steered Hearns clear of him. There is an interview with Stewart that I was trying to find on YouTube about McCallum vs Hearns where he said that McCallum would have been a problem but haven't been able to find it.

At the end of the day, both were amazing fighter's and I don't begrudge anyone that thinks Hearns would have won. I just don't see it. Unfortunately we will never know.

 

Good post I do want to reply to you and make some points, but I'm about to head to the gym so look for my reply in a few hours and see what you think.

 

Hearns had the tools to outbox Mike down the stretch but I can't see Tommy stopping The Bodysnatcher. But at some point McCallum catches up with Hearns who did n't have Leonard's or Hagler's durability.


McCallum by late rounds stoppage after coming from behind in the scoring. At any of the weights mentioned.

 

I've a feeling that McCallum would shock Hearns by ko if they ever fought.
Good fights along the way tho.

 

12 or 15 rds might make the difference here. Also think that 175 would be the weight that most favour Hearns. He had one fight when still in his prime, while Mike Was clearly past his when he moved up.

 

Alright so i'm back so let me try and address some of your points.

Well against Hagler he didn't really have a choice to be fair, Hagler came out like a tazmania devil in probably one of the most aggressive displays ever at Middleweight. And Barkley as i said was getting beaten to a pulp and was doubled over by a body shot, when he threw a hail mary punch and caught Hearns. Fair play to Barkley for finding the punch and taking what Hearns dished out, but again as i said both fighters took tremendous risks literally walking through everything Hearns had to offer. I highly respect McCallum and think he is a great fighter, but he's not the type of fighter to take those type of risks he's a methodical calculated technical boxer. And as you know Hearns was never outboxed in his career.

Fair enough i'm not trying to change your opinion if you believe McCallum would win then that's fair, i think both men have good arguments to winning i just personally favour Hearns in the match up.

Just to bring up something you've seen McCrory vs McCallum right ? now McCrory was kind of like a poor man's Hearns without the devastating power. And i remember McCrory giving McCallum some issues before McCallum caught up to him late. Now judging by that fight since Hearns is vastly superior to McCrory, and they somewhat resemble eachother. You'd have to think Hearns would do alot better than McCrory.

Overall i just don't think McCallum is aggressive enough nor would he take enough chances to beat Hearns.

 

Tommy by close decision. The jab is the key here. And Tommy's jab was a bit quicker and sharper

 

One of the best fights that could've happened, this is right up there with Duran vs Arguello. In my opinion the fights would go,

154 - Tommy
160 - McCallum
175 - Tommy

Tommy was the best 154 pounder there was, and I don't see anyone at that weight beating him. Mike has a better chance at 160 though even against the Tommy that fought Haggler and Shuler. Mike was past it by 175 and Tommy actually looked more impressive at the weight than middleweight after crushing Andries.

 

These people jump on a hype train and never let go.
At jr.middleweight Hearns wins and much more easier then people want to admit.
Mccroy gave Mike a very good fight and while he was good isn't close to a Hearns at 154lb.
Curry who was never the same after his first loss almost dropped Mike and was picking him off. If Hearns landed a right hand like that Mike is in trouble.
I didn't really like Hearns at middleweight and that weight might be the best chance for Mike to get a win.
At light heavy Hearts wins.
Its been documented time and time again by MANY the reason why Mike did not get big fights and people just chose to overlook it.
Mike thought of himself as a super star when he wasn't so when people had an interest in possibility making a fight with him Mike would foolishly out price himself right out of the fight so after awhile promoters are not going to bother with someone that prices himself out of fights.
Then take into account when Mike fought on HBO which was a really big deal especially back then and Mike has the extremely limited Mannion ripe for a stoppage and CHOOSES to allow Mannion to go the distance in a bout featuring one boxer unwilling to turn it up just a notch and the other totally over matched unable to do anything