Kid Gavilan .Vs. Thomas Hearns

I'll take Hearns by Decision in a very intriguing styles matchup. I just don't feel Gavilan has the particular tools needed(which is saying something, as he's one of the most versatile fighters there has been) to take out Hearns, and he ain't out-boxing him.

 

Really difficult matchup to predict. I'm going go with a Hearns UD, but it would be close. I don't believe Gavilan had enough power to hurt Hearns but there is always the possibility Hearns could hurt virtually any welterweight; even someone with the whiskers of Gavilan. No one is in for an easy night against the cuban hawk. What a great fight this would have been.

 

I don't think there's such a thing as a steel chin against Thomas Hearn's at welterweight.

 

Hearns by decision, but if anyone has a chance of stopping the durable Gavilan it might be Hearns.

 

Super tough match-up to try and make a pick...Gavilan's record for quality and longevity is testament in itself to his greatness. Hearns at 147 was phenomenal, great boxer...great puncher. If Williams and Basilio could knock Gavilan down, Hearns problably could and would...But I don't think Gavilan would be down for long.
If the fight is fought at long range, Hearns is your clear winner. Can Gavilan press Hearns to get in closer? Robinson said Gavilan was the toughest and best opponent he ever faced. He said that he hit Gavilan with his hardest punch and the Keed came back at him harder than ever.
Gavilan is not a hard hitter, but he is fast and furious fighter...if you get hit enough times it does get more then your attention.
I like Gavilan to press Hearns into a closer range affair and take a decision in a great fight.

 

There is, and his name is Kid Gavilan.

 

Really think his chin was that good?

Where do you rank it all time then?

 

Has to be amongst the top 10 all-time.

He went 25 rounds with peak Welterweight Ray Robinson and was never dropped, and was never stopped in nearly 150 pro fights and only down two or three times. Plus, he was a brilliant and versatile fighter, so there is no way Tommy (or any other welterweight) is stopping him IMO.

 

Ray Leonard says different.

 

What, the guy who got knocked down twice once his speed and reflexes slowed down against Hearn's?

Not to mention Hearn's destroying his eye in their first match and effectively ending his career.

 

I think people do overrate Hearns personally in terms of h2h, not that i underrate him, and in this case, he can win imo. This bout will most definitely go to the trenches by my reckoning, and an on song Gavilan could be relentless as they come, i think Gavilan is more skilled in terms of infighting and combination hitting, but he wont stop Tommy imo, not the puncher for it, when the bout is a boxing match, which it will be at times, Tommy can get the upper hand, better boxer i think, but that is the area where i believe people overrate him, his defence was not great, and apart from a few times, he was an offensive minded boxer, not the mover most brand him as, in that light the speed of Gavilan together with a good eye for finding precise shots means he can do the scoriing here and get a decision if on song.

I'll take Tommy, but this can go the other way, i believe that.

 

Yes, because Leonard was relying on his reflexes and speed rather than his durability and perseverence in their first fight.:roll:

I must've imagined all of his success post-Hearns. And I clearly didn't take into account what a damaged eye has to do with having a strong chin.

 

Gavilan should be expected to survive Hearns' shots. It's a matter of probability, not certainty, but it was said that Robinson hit Gavilan with one of the best rights he ever threw and the Kid didn't blink and didn't stop punching. That's downright Hagler-esque. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt based on that and based on the fact that he was never stopped in over 140 fights.

Hearns and Gavilan would be a serious boxing match that would erupt often into exchanges. Gavilan's looping shots would be problematic for Hearns because they were sneaky and well-suited for tall lanky guys. However, Hearns would do well both outside and in the exchanges -and may shock Gavilan with that power... but I like Gavilan's style, will, experience, and especially his stamina here.

I'd expect him to be coming on at the end of a fifteen rounder against a tiring Hearns to take a close decision.