If Hearns had beat Leonard in 81 ,how soon a rematch ?

Agreed. With SRL having Hearns in trouble at a couple of points the public interest in a rematch would have been high. Hearns being Hearns absolutely would have given the public what they wanted. He would not have held out on Ray. There is perhaps a chance if Leonard had lost this bout the retina would not have kept him out long.

I'd be looking at an immediate rematch or one tune up each then boom.

 

Hearns would have rematched him quickly.

 

Hearns forces SRL to do what SRL originally promised to do.....: SRL vs a hungry Pipino Cuevas.
Pipino bombs out a disheartened SRL, then Cuevas gets a rematch with Hearns, but this time Pipino is prepared, and the fight is down in Mexico City.

Amazing how the fate of boxers shift quickly under the jurisdiction of the Boxing G0ds.

 

Wasn't it Hearns who caused Leonard's detached retina?

 

If Starling didn't get to him before that.