If Hearns had never defended against Barkley...

Above middleweight probably. Although the right hand of Hearns is always an issue. A younger Hearns is a problem for Toney, but that younger Hearns was years before Toney was fighting.

 

I think Mccallum beats him, he has to be real careful with guys like Benn and Jackson, I could see one of them pulling a Barkley on Hearns for sure. He was definitely best at 154

 

He was best at 147.

 

Ih Hearns never fought Barkley, then somebody else would have ultimately knocked him out.

 

I don't see that as evident. He was getting a little sloppy at that time I am not sure why. I think all the up and downs in weight made him less sure at weights and his power, but Barkley had a style of exchanging and throwing even when he was being hit, and Hearns style of lowering his guard when he was being offensive was not great with Barkley's style. Hearns should have employed the style he had in 1992 with more inside fighting against Barkley, but at 160 that offense was better and would have stopped Barkley. In 1992 he had a slowed a little and it was more of an even fight. I think Hearns was best when he could jab and control the action. Brawling? He even fought a guy like Ken Atkins in 1991 and was going at it with him. Atkins hit him more than Hill. Why not use the jab and counterpunch and maybe the fight will go 5 rounds instead of 3, but be better for him. And he might have had more classic knockouts setting them up more.

 

It's taking away from Iran what he accomplished that night to suggest Tommy The Hitman Hearns was some sitting duck ready to be taken by one of the young future guns. Hearns was the best boxer-puncher in the world of the 80s, best jabber, great feinter and most blistering combos. It's taking something special to beat him. Nigel Benn was unique but I'd still have my money on Hearns. Iran was another one-off, otherworldly toughness and actually a rangey brawler which is very rare

 

No

 

Yes

 

Much stronger, better stamina, better wins at 154.
He was way better at 154

 

He was the best boxer in the world in any weight going into the 80s, looking unbeatable.