Hearns v Calzaghe at 168 or 175 in their respective eras who would win?

One of, if not the best fighter of a division, despite its relatively short history, isn't losing to a guy who's prime weight was 20 pounds below.

 

Interesting fight.

Joe was always a sucker for a right hand, all throughout his career.

Tommy always had that vulnerability.

Joe would probably have had to have a shoot out to get the job done.

I could envisage Joe catching him with his left and it getting stopped.

 

Calzaghe very wide

 

I agree. I like Hearns more overall but he was at his best at 147/154. Joe was a natural super middleweight.

 

Hearns was one of my favourite fighters, but at 168 - 175, he has no chance against Calzaghe I'm afraid.

 

Hearns great fighter! AGT at 147 but at super middle against an AGT Joe Calzaghe. I'd say Calzaghe would close the distance, use his angles which he was great at, throwing a shot stepping over and continuing to punch. One of the best i've ever seen at changing angles during a fight. Work rate was very good too and a solid chin. Would be to much for Hearns at Super Middle Weight!

 

at 168, Calzaghe by decision

at 175, Hearns by decision.


I know it sounds weird, but Hearns looked better at 175.

The version of Hearns that easily outboxed Virgil Hill could beat Calzaghe, in my opinion.

 

I agree. IMHO, prime JC stops any version of Tommy, as much as I respect the Hitman.

 

Id agree....the 168 hearns was still dealing with the dramatic implosion of his chin,legs and confidence v barkley in june 88....that tommy who struggled with olajide,kinchen and srl....would push joe very hard to the wire but get outworked in a very similar fight to barkley 2......however either the 1987 light heavy tommy or the 1991 hearns beats joe...the 1987 one knocks joe cold...the 1991 one smoothly outboxes him

 

Yes it was...tommy was probably only a ripped 164 v andries in 1987...and a more relaxed 170 in his later light heavy incarnation

 

Well in the early 160"s he brutally manhandled the brutally strong Andries....he ruined the chin of juan roldan too....in the process those 2 fights plus hagler ruined tommys chin and iron barkley dented a cocky hearns.

Barkley is considered a very strong chinned and willed fighter...i think the benn fight was stopped prematurely...barkley was rusty had had eye surgery but still im very suprised hearns didnt kayo him twice...he hit him with absolutely everything....i think the 1987 LH tommy hit harder than the 1991/1992 version.....as his fists were sore.....the proof is when he has hand surgery get himself right and comesback to knock out olympic gold medalist andrew msynard in one!!

I wish tommy had stayed very active in 94 &95 and fought czyz and nunn

 

I like Joe but feel he never came close to entering Hearn's class until he fought an old Hopkins and a shot Jones .. this is an interesting match up as Joe's strengths don't expose Hearn's weakness .. the rub is that Tommy was never at his best north of 154 let alone 160 .. I still say Hearn's would flatten him.