Hearns vs Benitez = a boxing masterclass vs a prime master boxer !

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bill Butcher, Aug 29, 2012.


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  1. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I`ve heard people talk about boxing masterclasses vs quality opposition before & I`ve agreed with most choices, performances such as Whitaker v McGirt 2... Leonard v Benitez... Chavez v Rosario... Duran v Palomino.... the list goes on.... BUT there is one fight that IMO deserves to be ranked at least on par with those fights... that fight is of course Thomas Hearns outboxing the brilliant (& very well prepared) Wilfred Benitez to win the LMW title.

    One judge actually scored this fight even (crack cocaine can be a terrible thing sometimes) but the other two judges were right on point, a clear points vicory for Tommy Hearns, a master boxer in his absolute prime that likely would have beat any modern day fighter that ever fought at 154 (Leonard included, possibly)

    Amazing performance by a truly outstanding boxer.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 29, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 29, 2012
    #1
  2. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hearns had the height and the punch.....Benitez lacked the punch.
     
    Longhhorn71, Aug 29, 2012
    Longhhorn71, Aug 29, 2012
    #2
  3. turbotime

    turbotime Hall Of Famer Full Member

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    Yeah, even though watching it again I'm surprised Hearns never got the KO. Benitez was tough. Shame he couldn't punch though 'cause he caught Hearns a few times
     
    turbotime, Aug 29, 2012
    turbotime, Aug 29, 2012
    #3
  4. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    Hearns is a beast for any conservative minded or average punching Welter-sized stylist to overcome.His reputation against boxer types is well deserved there, even if that choker Virgil Hill ended up blowing it a bit out of proportion later in Tommy's career.
     
    lora, Aug 29, 2012
    lora, Aug 29, 2012
    #4
  5. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Fights like this are gratifying, because it wasn't as if Benitez fought badly. That was as good as he was ever going to look against Hearns, whose skillset that night was similar, but he was just too big and rangy for the smaller Puerto Rican. Benitez couldn't get inside and wasn't going to win a jousting contest from outside.
     
    salsanchezfan, Aug 29, 2012
    salsanchezfan, Aug 29, 2012
    #5
  6. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Agreed salfan... & on a side note, I`d like to add both Sanchez-Lopez fights to my list in my 1st post.... absolutely masterful, punch-perfect performances.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 29, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 29, 2012
    #6
  7. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think the fight is a testament to Benitez defensive talent that a monster like Hearns couldn't take him out even though El Radar didn't have a great chin.
     
    LittleRed, Aug 29, 2012
    LittleRed, Aug 29, 2012
    #7
  8. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, though in fairness that was as much a truly awful styles matchup for Danny. Still, you have to execute the fightplan, and Sanchez did that to a tee. Both times.
     
    salsanchezfan, Aug 29, 2012
    salsanchezfan, Aug 29, 2012
    #8
  9. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Not as good as Kalambay-McCallum and IMO Benitez was a little bit past his best already.

    Incredible jabbing performance from Tommy though, love it.
     
    Flea Man, Aug 29, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 29, 2012
    #9
  10. African Cobra

    African Cobra The Right Honourable Lord President of the Council banned Full Member

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    People sometimes forget what a great master classical boxer Thomas Hearns could be.
     
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    #10
  11. African Cobra

    African Cobra The Right Honourable Lord President of the Council banned Full Member

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    People sometimes forget what a great master classical boxer Thomas Hearns could be.
     
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    #11
  12. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Fantastic perfomance by Tommy. But an awful stylistical match-up for Benitez. Outboxing Hearns with such a disadvantage in reach must be nigh impossible.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 29, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 29, 2012
    #12
  13. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Agree, hence why people think Floyd could outbox him ;)


    How are things going in preparation for Matthysse, Olu?
     
    Flea Man, Aug 29, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 29, 2012
    #13
  14. African Cobra

    African Cobra The Right Honourable Lord President of the Council banned Full Member

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    Very good. Just spoke to his trainer. Ajose is in the US as off a few days ago. I think it will be a good tough fight. Matthyse will be viewed as the favourite but Ajose has the technical skills and grit to win.
     
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    African Cobra, Aug 29, 2012
    #14
  15. African Cobra

    African Cobra The Right Honourable Lord President of the Council banned Full Member

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    I have never seen anyone including master boxers outbox Tommy Hearns. That is not the way to beat him.
     
    African Cobra, Aug 30, 2012
    African Cobra, Aug 30, 2012
    #15
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