I think Hearns is number one because of opposition. He beat Benitez and Duran at this weight, and both Benitez and Duran were champions when he beat them. Tommy has to be rated ahead of Mike. Hearns at that time was not as vulnerable as after Hagler when he seemed to slow down a little.
Mike was good but his wins are not that great and he lost some fights where he should have won if he was so great. The first Kalambay fight surprised me. I think he could be outboxed. He did well when he had an overmatched guy and they let him get his punches off. If you let Mike on the inside he would work the fighter inside and then come upstairs. You had to offset his inside fighting and he was ordinary. No way in the class of Hearns. Hearns beat better guys at the weight. No way to dispute this. How can Mike be better?
I guess he wasn't flashy so he was overlooked somewhat. For some reason fighters from the Carribean countries seem to get under-rated. I think he was one of the best of his era. http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Gans-Biography-American-Champion/dp/0786439947/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
McCallum's resume at 154 lbs: Donald Curry, Julian Jackson, Milton McCrory, Ayub Kalule, David Braxton, Luigi Minchillo, Sean Mannion Hearns' resume at 154 lbs: Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran, Luigi Minchillo, Fred Hutchings, Mark Medal