Hearns by KO also. I also believe he's at a different level to Benvenuti, as good as fighter as he was.
Indeed, although quite distracting... everytime I try and read a post my eyes seem to wander there. JT`s avatar does the same, damn you two! As for this fight I think Nino has a very good chance at beating Hearns actually, I`m surprised so many are selling him short in this matchup. Nino was a rugged and very strong guy, Emile Griffith once said that Nino was the strongest guy he ever fought in terms of physical strenght and the films of their three fight series prove this to be true. Nino always manhandled Emile like a ragdoll whenever they got into a clinch, and no one else did this to him as effectively as Nino did which is a testament to his strenght. Now Hearns was a devastating offensive force and one of the best long range boxers of all-time at any weight, but he wasn`t the sturdiest or most durable of fighters up at middle and while I do think he would be in the lead on points by the halfway point of the fight, my gut tells me that Nino`s clinching and roughhousing tactics whenever they get in close will steadily drain Tommy`s energy as the fight wears on and those skinny legs of his won`t hold up over fifteen rounds. Lets not forget Nino for all his whining at times was still a very competent fighter, people tend to only remember the Monzon fights but Nino was no slouch by any means, this is a guy who was an Olympic Gold medalist and Lineal Jr/Middleweight champ & TWO time Lineal Middleweight champ. This is no James Shuler, Doug Dewitt, etc... fighter were talking about here, those guys were good but Nino was a class above them guys. Nino who had great stamina, was strong, durable and while awkward was very skilled with a fine left jab and powerful left hook and right cross. I don't believe Hearns despite his huge frame and punching power has the durability at 160 to survive against the real strong and physical fighters at 160. I believe Hearns will be wearing down by the 8th from the constant body attack and Nino`s clinching/manhandling tactics in close, and he's not putting the Italian on ice early, no way. Tommy can win, but I wouldn`t favour him to do so, Nino is a bad style matchup for him I feel.
I think Heanrs was better at LMW personally, if anything it makes it more difficult for Nino, though 154 is better suited for Nino's size so i get your reasoning. I do pick Hearns aswell, but Benvenuti was a great fighter, i just think of Hearns as better slightly. This can be won by Benvenuti though at MW possibly.
If Benevuti lands a shot on Tommy's chin like the one he landed on LMR then it is over. Regardless I think it is a tough matchup for Tommy.
unless Tommy can get to Nino early a differcult fight...I can see Nino hitting the canvas and possibly dropping Tommy as well...could be a 3 fight series, either way a prime Nino erratic and not always in best shape but fit Nino could be a fit for Tommy....Tommy has a small shot early but Nino picks up momentum to make it close....Tommy Ud or SD
Have you seen tapes of Nino? His work ethic? Body, head, inside, out? Over at CBZ they posted this matchup a few months ago; interesting that no one had ever bought this one up before. I agree its an up in the air affair but, at MW, I would put my $$ on NINO...
I think this is a tough one to call. The fact that I just watched Benvenuti - Griffith I and Benvenuti - Rodriguez doesn't help me. Benvenuti was a tough guy. I think Tommy's height, reach and power would definitely present problems. Benvenuti's physicality and good punching power would be an issue for Hearns. The best I can come up with is to say Tommy takes 2 out of 3, but Benvenuti gets him outta there once. I think it would be an upset if this fight went the distance.
Nino was better than you guys who pick Hearns think he was. He appeared fragile at times, but when he was "on" he always avenged bad performances, with the exception of Monzon of course. An "on" Benvenuti would deck Hearns, maybe get decked himself, but would outfight and outpoint the Hitman over 15.
I'll make Hearns the favorite here, but I wouldn't rule out an "upset" by Benvenuti. Hearns' height, reach, jab, and right hand would all pose major problems for Benvenuti. However, Benvenuti was strong, tough, and resilient, win or lose. I can see Hearns winning by KO, perhaps within just 5 rounds, but if Benvenuti finds a way to stay in there he could be hell for Hearns in the later rounds. I could see scenerios in which Benvenuti comes on strong late to take the fight by KO.
