Thomas Hearns was a pro a little more than 28 years. Sugar Ray Robinson was a pro for 25 years. Both finished their amateur careers as lightweights and turned pro as welterweights. Robinson won a vacant welterweight title against Tommy Bell five years into his career. Hearns won the WBA welterweight title against Pipino Cuevas about three years into his career. Robinson won the middleweight title from LaMotta about 11 years into his career. Hearns faced Hagler about eight years into his career won a middleweight belt from Roldan about 10 years into his career. Robinson fought Maxim for the light heavy title about 12 years into his career, Hearns beat Andries 10 years into his career and beat Virgil Hill about 14 years into his career for their light heavy belts. How does Tommy Hearns do against Sugar Ray Robinson's opponents at the same stage (years into his career)? Same question with Robinson. How does SRR do against Tommy Hearns' opponents at the same stage (years into his career)? How does a young Hearns do against all the welterweights Ray Robinson fought before winning a title? How does Robinson do later in his career against all the bigger opponents Hearns faced?
Does a young Tommy Hearns (circa 1980) waste a 140-pound, 5'5" Henry Armstrong? How does the middleweight Sugar Ray Robinson who stopped Turpin and lost to Maxim fair against the Sugar Ray Leonard who faced Hearns at Super Middleweight?
Hearns, who was very we as k legged and chinned at middleweight, would be killed. Also, hearns never survives such an active schedule. He would be in Benitez~like shape by age 25.
I was never sure of this. It is easy to say. Something tells me Hearns is hell for him stylistically. Almost harder than Leonard would be since Robinson would beat Ray is most of the areas, but Robinson wouldn't have advantages over Hearns in some areas like he would over Ray.
I just think the combo of toms weak chin and body plus his off balance style once he doesn't get the early KO and starts feet off the ground boxing, gets him K Od. I think Hearns was hurt by every midlle he faced starting with the Sutherland fight. From Singletary on he definitely lost his power at 160. And the 40s welterweight were experienced and tough. Zivic thumbs him roughs him up and win or lose takes a lot out of hearns career. All those 40s fighter pound Toms thin body. Then up top. Hitman becomes Hurtman many times.
To fight 15 or more times a year against the guys Sugar Ray fought as a welterweight you must be like oak. Hearns no way is tough enough. Once the losses start piling up he is just a gatekeeper. Like I said, by 25 he's punchdrunk.