If Hearns entered the Olympics in '80.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by VG_Addict, Dec 25, 2012.

  1. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Could the Hitman have won a Gold medal?
     
  2. Danmann

    Danmann Well-Known Member Full Member

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    If he stayed amateur that long maybe, but in 1976 he missed out by losing in quarterfianls to Aron Pryor. He was pro for about 4 years by 1980.
     
  3. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    yeah he would have probably won, but to be honest he would have then missed out of Leonard,Cuevas,Benitez Duran and Hagler. Without Hearns the fab four would not have been as notable. He was sort of the excitement variable.
     
  4. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    I think we could all venture to say that he would be a dominant, gold medal winner...it goes without saying.
     
  5. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    I think the question is more would Hearns winning the 1980 gold medal do more for his career, than fighting Duran,Leonard,Benitez,Hagler,Cuevas and Hill. He would have probably fought guys like Curry,McCallum,Nunn, Starling,Honeyghan and been a little older obviously.
     
  6. Danmann

    Danmann Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Who won gold that year? If he was in 1980 olympics, who would he have fought?
     
  7. tommy the hat

    tommy the hat Active Member Full Member

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    The United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics so it is a good thing Hearns didnt set his sights on those games.
     
  8. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    Hearns has a lot of fights vs. Olympians or possibles. He fought Leonard 1976 Olympian. Beat James Shuler who would have been on the 1980 team. Beat Virgil Hill -silver medal 1984, beat Andrew Maynard 1988 medalist. fought Howard Davis. from 76 in the amatuers.
     
  9. Danmann

    Danmann Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think OP meant 'If" he had gone. Meaning he does not turn pro, and despite United States boycott (over USSR invading Afghanistan!!!) how Hearns would have done. I think he would have been at 154 by then, so depends how good Medal winners were at time.
     
  10. Danmann

    Danmann Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Did you mean 1976 Olympics?
     
  11. SP_Mauler

    SP_Mauler Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hearns was way better as a pro then he was a amatuer.

    In fact no one knew he had that power until his pro debut.

    Geez I miss those guys, Great fighters.
     
  12. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    IT was possible, but most likely, with guys like Bumphus, Lemuel Steeples, Davey Moore, and Donald Curry around, some who were stronger amatuers than he was, it wasn't a given.
     
  13. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Andres Aldama, the Cuban that Leonard beat in 76 beat John Mugabi in the Welterweight final.
     
  14. SILVER SKULL 66

    SILVER SKULL 66 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    NO- there were no Olympics in 1980, President Carter boycotted them:nut, why the hell would he have wanted to stay an Amatuer for 4 more long years and fight for free?? when at the pro level he was making serious money??:huh

    Not only that if he were in the 80 olympics, he wouldn't have enjoyed his greatest victory the 2nd round KO of Cuevas in his hometown Detroit...:deal