Is there any version of Canelo that could beat Thomas Hearns?

Hearns is not stopping Canelo, we can pretty much put that idea to rest. Not because Hearns isn't a puncher, but because Canelo's ATG chin and how well he slips and rolls with punches. If anyone is getting hurt, it's Hearns. As far as winning a decision over Canelo at 154, yes I could see that. Considering how much success Trout and Lara had against Canelo, both close on the cards, and some thought Canelo lost those fights, Hearns was better than Trout or Lara, Tommy's work rate and rangy jab would be a big problem and I do think he's capable of outboxing Canelo at 154.

 

Unlike Bivol, Hearns had a weak jaw and Canelo would be able to hurt him. Hell, Iran Barkley destroyed him, and like him or not Canelo is better than Barkley.

 

Only if the fight is in Vegas. If Canelo can last the distance he'll get the decision.

 

No Bivol neutralized Canelo with his footwork and his distance.

 

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Also Tommy's power would bother Canelo, I could easily see him scoring a knockout. At any weight. Hearns was so much better as a boxer that he would be landing on Canelo like mad.

 

The 160-168 pound version of Canelo would have the best chance of beating The Hitman. He was alot better at those weights.

 

Hearns was a monster and imo would be a terrible stylistic match up for Canelo. At 154 I think he beats Canelo by wide decision (with proper judging not Canelo’s bought officials) or by late TKO. At middleweight I back him to also get the job done on points. At 168 and 175 it becomes a lot closer and I think Canelo would be in with a shout. Still a very tough fight for him.

 

There is no version of Canelo that could beat Hearns.

Not at 154, 160, 168 or 175.

Hearns had every attribute that Canelo has struggled with throughout his entire career................and not only held those attributes but was far superior to the men who gave Canelo Hell. And Canelo ain't stopping Hearns.

 

It ain’t like Hearns would simply walk all over Canelo and not ever get countered. I don’t see Hearns KOing Canelo. Winning on points yes, but what are the odds he’ll do that and not get his glass chin shattered before round 12?

 

I think the odds are very good his chin doesn't get shattered by Canelo. His chin failed only 3 times in his prime, against Leonard (a come from behind war of attrition that if it were modern day Hearns would've won by UD12) , Hagler (the 1,2 or 3rd greatest MW of all time in a war) and Barkley (the physically largest, most monstrous MW in history). Canelo does not have the engine to press and take it to Hearns like those 3 did. Hearn's chin didn't just fail outta nowhere, you had to beat on it.

As for outboxing and countering with any kind of sustained success, at no point in his entire career was Hearns outboxed and we've honestly seen Canelo outboxed a few times, and against guys that were nowhere near the boxer puncher that Hearns was. I do think Canelo has a sturdy chin, but he also wears down, he was actually stunned by Golovkin in the first two fights late. I would personally lean more towards a decision win though but I don't think a stoppage is out of the question.

 

Heres the thing Canelo is a methodical pressure fighter with a fairly low punch output that's not really the way to beat Hearns.

You have to be willing to walkthrough Hearns's punches like Barkley did, or jump straight on Hearns and engage him in a war like Hagler did.

Does Canelo really fight like that ? No. Canelo would be giving Hearns time and space to use his jab and right hand, and whilst Canelo does have a very solid chin I don't think hes fought a puncher quite like Hearns before. So if Canelo does start getting hit with those right hands how eager would he be to consistently apply pressure on Hearns ?

Overall I think 154 prime Hearns definitely beats pre prime Canelo at 154, at Middleweight Hearns was a bit more hit and miss so Canelo's best chance would be at that weight. At 175 the version of Hearns who beat Hill and destroyed Andries ? I see Hearns beating Canelo aswell.

 

Yes, his foot work coupled with the jab, very true. I still believe TH could do pretty much the same thing. Just don't know if the footwork is on the same level as Bivol.

 

That is very true. That chin could be cracked for sure. Hearns definitely doesn't want to slug it out too often with Canelo. As far as the Barkley fight goes, Hearns had already been in some wars and wasn't prime.

 

Maybe not, but Canelo also doesn't need an engine as good as theirs because his style isn't based on high intensity/volume output. Its landing accurate hard hitting shots that will weaken the other guys engine and he's shown great success with that approach against boxers. Correct me if I'm wrong but Hearns hasn't been to war with someone as hard hitting and sturdy as Canelo has he?

Can Hearns get Canelo out of there before Canelo weakens him with too many body shots? I'm gonna say no. Between the sturdier chin, better defense skills, better ring IQ, greater firepower and more experience against dealing with elite boxers who have better skills than Hearns (Floyd and Bivol), I don't see Hearns getting rid of Canelo before Canelo can get rid of him.

I think this would go much the way of the Saunders fight in that Canelo would be losing on the scorecards until he manages to slow down Hearns enough and eventually clips him late.

 

There's a reason that Hearns was anachronistically nicknamed "The Thin Kovalev" back when he'd moved up to LHW. Nobody would understand that reason for quite some time, but that's going to happen in those situations.