Hearns vs McCallum at 154

Leonard proved one could get inside Hearn's reach and punish him.

If you have strength, handspeed, power and great chin, like Mike had, I don't see him having trouble eventually getting inside Hearns reach in the middle and late rounds.

 

And Hearns going the full distance with Luigi Minchillo wasn't overly impressive either.

Mannion and Minchillo just happened to have iron chins.

And Mike stopped Minchillo.

 

I thought Hearns was more impressive despite not stopping him. He didn't lose a round on two cards. McCallum was hit a surprising amount of times. Tho well on top at the end it was actually a corner stoppage at a time when the Hearns fight (12 rounder vs 15) had run out of rounds.

Minchillo took some great shots from Hearns and a lot of accumulation from McCallum without so much as wobbling from memory. Great chin.

 

McCallum in no way had Leonard's speed.

 

Crying shame this fight never happened.

I can see Mike's bodywork eventually wearing Tommy down, but Tommy could outbox him to a decision if he stuck to a plan.

 

McCallum is Hearns' stylistic kryptonite. Granite chin and the power to hurt Hearns' susceptible chin. The fab 4 ducked McCallum for a good reason

 

Hearns dominates early but his questionable stamina and McCallum's relentless pressure and body punching gradually wear Tommy down for a late stoppage.

 

Leonard getting inside Hearns does not mean Mike would. Mike was slower. Ray had the speed to counter more than get inside. I think Mike is a bit overrated in speed. I think speed was his weakness as is most fighters. I don't think Mike had the elite speed necessary to be a real all time great. I think he was a hall of fame fighter and a smart inside fighter who had great punching angles

 

Mike's chin was not as granite as Hagler. He was not hit often and he was aware of the punches, more than he took them. Fact is Mike is not fab 4. if he were as good as they were he would have been mentioned as much as them, and he is not.

 

I don't see it. If Hearns preHagler fights Hagler, I think he edges a decision with his jaband speed.. UD.

 

I thought Hearns dominated Minchillo more than Mike, and remember that fight went 12 not 15. And Minchillo fight for Mike was after Hearns,,, and maybe Luigi was not as sharp.

 

McCallum is stronger and more physical than Hearns he won't be able to tie him up.

 

Hearns tied big guys like Roldan and Kinchen up bigtime when he needed to, he'd tie McCallum up if the need arose.

 

Questionable. Hearns was strong upperbody... Mike had good style, but he was slower than Hearns.. And he lost to quick fighters..

 

Anyway you want to slice McCallum was much stronger than Hearns. Hearns speed is irrelevant because he would brawl and when they brawl Mike can take Hearns best shot but Hearns can't take Mike's shots. It is just that simple