HOW WOULD GOLOVKIN HANDLE THE HEARNS OF THE HAGLER FIGHT?

Almost certainly Golovkin would respect Hearns' power and box from behind the jab, seeking to box Tommy in and impose his pressure game as he always does against la creme de la creme. If he is able to pile up enough damage over the course of the fight using his jab we'd probably be looking at a late KO.

This matchup really comes down to footwork. If Hearns can stay out of Golovkin's way, he could potentially win a wide decision. I don't fancy his chances though, because nobody has managed to get away from GGG when he wants to close them down. Geale actually looked good briefly, but one has to recognize that he was expending an enormous amount of energy flying around the ring. And in the end, the inevitable happened.

Now if Hearns managed to box his heart out and build up enough of a lead in the early fight, he could potentially frustrate Golovkin to get reckless and try to blast him out late. Wouldn't fancy getting timed by Hearns ...

This could have been a mouthwatering fight, actually.

 

I'd like to have seen who'd win the battle of the jabs between Hearns and Golovkin.

 

Golovkin isn't exactly difficult to hit and if Hearns landed the kind of right hand that demolished Duran, GGG could be in a whole world of hurt. Yes, Geale didn't do to badly for a few rounds at keeping GGG at bay and Hearns is 10x the fighter that Geale is, so I give Hearns a very decent chance of being the only man ever likely to KO GGG. Although, if I had to bet my house on it, I'd favour GGG by stoppage in the 2nd quarter of a 12 rounder.

 

I dont think hearns jab would be enough, hed have to mix it up down to ggg's pressure and cutting off the ring...He just isn't durable enough at middle to last 12 with a fighter like ggg

 

A Hearns, who decides to fight at range is a very difficult target. A Hearns, who decides to get cavalier runs the gauntlet.

I don't doubt Hearns would have had to survive some close-range action and exchanges, at times. But let's not forget that Hearns carried some vicious power himself. Has Golovkin felt power like Hearns' before?

So, this fantasy match-up asks:

- Could Hearns have minimized the toe-to-toe, close-range exchanges, by keeping the fighting at a distance with his jab, using movement and his power at range?

- Could Hearns have defended well enough in any exchanges?

- Could Golovkin have taken Hearns power?

- How would Hearns' power have disrupted Golovkin's pressure?

- Could Golovkin have reached Hearns for sustained enough periods of time to have gotten the job done inside the distance?

 

Hearns is a great welter, h2h no1 or no 2 for me. Hes to fragile for great middles. He is also not a one shot ko specialist at middle like he is at welter/light middle. I think GGG has problems with Hearns boxing more than his power. Hearns could make it awkward if he tries to stick and move behind the jab but I cant see him lasting the course

 

Juan Roldan? James Kitchen?Dennis Andreas? Barkley? Shuler? Hearns fought many strong middles,(not on Triple. G's level of course) but strong never the less. Esp Roldan whom he knocked out in the 10th if I remember right in a physically tough fight.

 

Tripe G didn't like Jacob's power when he got hit, you could visible tell. Hearns hit harder than Jacobs and was more accurate. I'm not sure why people are discounting Hearns' chances here.

 

It's all really about Hearns' chin. I think Hearns could hurt any guy on the planet within his size range. I'm just not sure how well he'd handle the incoming. Golovkin has devastating power AND a great chin. Now, that's obviously not an "auto win" but I'd rather have both attributes in a firefight.

 

I don't like using transitive properties when discussing boxing, however the way Brook had Golovkin reeling from those uppercuts, I can see Hearns hurtling him badly.

 

I agree, to some extent, that Golovkin's bigger challenge is Hearns' Boxing, since the Hitman was markedly skilled. With that in mind, I think the only way Hearns loses this, is if he gets ahead of himself; becomes embroiled in the action and lets his flair take over his senses. When his composure and control gave way to the drama of the event (which, unquestionably, Golovkin would bring), this is when Hearns became vulnerable; defensively open and much easier to hit.

So, in facing Golovkin, it goes without saying that Hearns would need to remain mindful of his defenses, which he was quite capable of doing. If he could gather and maintain his poise for this Middleweight contest, in a similar way as he did for, say, the Benitez fight, at 154, then getting through the danger to the other side would not be beyond him.

I do think Hearns’ power was still very respectable at 160. I'm sure even iron-chinned Hagler would testify to that. Hearns carried his power to 175; perhaps not with the utter devastation it had at 147/154 - but, with enough pop to damage and, at the very least, deter his opponent. His hand a foot speed are also a factors to consider, as he was able to throw very fast combinations, set up with a great jab, whilst shifting position and or covering a lot of ground very quickly.

I think a Hearns, who took a cautious, offensive tack, would disrupt Golovkin's stalking style, both with his range, speed, power and movement. Golovkin remains in the game for as long as it lasts; whether it be within or for the full distance.

On the other hand, if Hearns goes into 'devil-may-care' mode, it is far less likely he makes it.

 

I think the mindset going in tells the tale. Hearns atg jab with his height and reach means a decision against him is unlikely. GGG would enter this match not thinking of winning a point contest, but of having 45 minutes to take Tommy out. If we were were to rate every middleweight champion's power and chin on a scale of 1-10, GGG's combined score would probably be the best in history. That does not bode well for Tommy. And we are not talking about the 35 year old GGG from the Jacobs fight, but the guy who annihilated Macklin with one body shot and stalked Murray like a rabid bloodhound for 11 rounds. GGG wins this by KO between rounds 5-8 after falling behind on the cards.

 

I think he'd play more of a long game while still applying pressure. He needs to do more than just sit back.

 

If it was a brawl l'd give the edge to GGG but if they fought and Hearns could fight how he wanted l think he'd win. Jacobs showed that GGG could have problems with a tall boxer who has power. Truth is l thought the fight was closer than the scorecards indicated and that knock down was more of a balance issue than a genuine knock down. That said it would be a very dangerous fight for Hearns and his chin could be his downfall once again.