Great NY Times article on Hearns vs Benitez fight build-up

Interesting. Maybe Wilfred could've upset Thomas then, in the right mindset.

 

Jacobs and Steward were both shrewd managers

Notice Steward saying about Hagler/Hearns in 1982: "I did not want that fight."

He knew Hagler would be too much for a Hearns who had lost at 147 lbs against Leonard less than a year earlier.

Once Hearns had a 154 tilte, he was able to make a lot of money against Benitez, Duran, and then Hagler.

At the same time, it was smart for Jacobs to forgo fighting Hearns in '81. He was able to garner a third World title first and then make more against Duran and then Hearns.

Benitez likely would have lost to Hearns at 147 lbs. in '81 and Hearns likely would have lost to Hagler at 160 lbs. in '82.

 

Hearns was vulnerable to anyone that hit him in the face

 

I honestly think Benitez would have been open to a bigger punch since Hearns took more chances before the Leonard fight, yet could have been countered more also-before the Leonard fight which made him better, but at 154 Benitez seemed to improve and he was stronger. It might have been his best weight because he put it all together. Experience, speed. defense. and maturity... He beat Duran,, had that great title win before Duran against Hope.. And even though he lost to Hearns, he was not knocked out and gave a good 15 round showing. Hearns just controlled him with the jab and winning rounds, but no insult in that. I think Benitez biggest mistake was not losing to Hearns, he could have come back and won another title vs another guy and still defended for a long time. The question is who picked Hamsho for him to fight at middleweight moving up again? That was the big mistake. Hamsho was a terrible matchup for a guy moving up in weight. Duran and Hearns fights did not hurt Benitez at 154.. but Hamsho at 160 was a bad fight. He did much better against Duran and Hearns at 154 than Hamsho at 160... Hamsho was that kind of fighter. Czyz found that out. I think Hamsho was the reason for Benitez career going down and then he lost momentum or confidence after that fight. Benitez fought well against Hearns. He should have stayed at 154.. fought a contender or two. Got another title fight and won the title and he would have had momentum. But that Hamsho fight. Similar to Curry vs. Honeyghan.. Just took something mentally out of them.