Herol Graham v Thomas Hearns at 154lbs

Hearns was never outboxed you had to pressure him and take unbelievable punishment to beat Hearns, i don't see Graham's style being that effective vs Hearns. Benitez was a very slick defensive fighter like Graham, and his style was pretty ineffective vs Hearns.

I believe Hearns would stop Graham in 9-10 rounds, especially at 154 which was a very good weight for Hearns. Hearns is a just a level above Graham who despite his talent never won a big fight.

 

I still don't see Graham being that effective even at 160 TBH, to beat Hearns you have to impose your will on him and be aggressive. Leonard, Barkley, Hagler, had to walkthrough hellfire and brimstone to beat Hearns. Graham isn't the kind of fighter that is willing to put it all on the line and go all out and be aggressive.

Other than Graham being a puzzle Hearns would have to solve early on, i don't see Graham being that effective in regards to actually winning rounds against Hearns even at 160.

 

Think Julian Jackson. At 154, which well may have been Hearns best weight, The Hitman would have boxed Graham's ears off until he knocked his block off.

Two things ... 1. I know Hearns did not fight at 154 much I just believe it would have been his best weight had he fought there often. 2. I haven't used the term "knocked his block off" in 30 years. I think I'm regressing.

 

Herol got hit with unnecessary shots against McCallum at 160. Imagine Hearns in his prime weight class (154)!

 

Two of my favourite s, pal.
Herol has the skill to frustrate most of this weight.
It think he does, at least for a few rounds.
Just like with Jackson tho, Herol finds him self tasting a sickening shot that puts him down and out.
If only for poor Graham, the nearly man of boxing.

 

Timber!

 

He's had bad health issues too.
In the book 'Damage', he's in a psychiatric unit and way he's talking is really raw. Just bursting out crying for no reason.
He actually contribute s some of it to the Jackson ko.
Very sad, mate.

 

I think the Jackson KO really did effect him.
He took it really bad.

 

One of the worst ko s ever seen tbh

 

I can remember watching the fight at the time and seeing Graham outboxing Jackson before the Hawk produced the equaliser the only time I’ve seen the fight.
I watched it back a few months ago and hadn’t realised how much of a schooling Graham was putting on Jackson.
You’re right the KO was a shocker, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fighter so quickly rendered unconscious.

 

Yes, he was winning hands down really, JJ was close to Gettin stopped I believe.
If only he'd kept his guard up and not gotten silly.
But he did have that style I suppose.