The battle of the really hard hitting stickmen. Size is equalised as always, and the fight takes place at 154. This is the real Hearns that beat Benitez and Duran against a prime Arguello whose natural weight happens to be at 154, in this scenario. Have at it.
Hearns strikes first & drops Arguello early with a fast right hand, but The Explosive Thin Man roars back to stop the Hitman in 4.
Wow! One heck of a hypothetical fight. If Arguello were a natural Jr.Middle that means he'd be roughly 6'1" 6'2" About the same height and reach as Hearns. Hearns advantages would be speed, better movement overall. Arguello would have the better chin and ability to withstand more punishment, also two fisted power with his deadly left hooks and uppercuts. Could Arguello, a usually slow, more calculated starter survive Hearns's initial blitzkrieg? if he survived how long would Hearn's survive Arguello's destructive body assault before he crumbled? I believe Arguello would survive Hearn's early onslaught, and slowly grind him down for the late ko victory. Say Arguello in 10 rds. A heck of a battle while it last and both would be put on their ass at least once.
I think Hearns would start faster and would take the early rounds. If Arguello can survive the early rounds and take Hearns power then he should be able to get on the inside and overwhelm Hearns who never really developed an inside game. I think Alexis chin is solid enough to do so so I'll take Alexis by late knockout.
I can’t see arguello standing a chance here. His best days were at super feather and lightweight . In the brief instance he even fought at junior welter he was beaten twice by Pryor ( cheating or not. ) I love Arguello but this is a mismatch. Edit: I saw the stipulations of Alexis now being a natural 154 pounder. I still favor Hearns
It is a mismatch insofar as both can bang but only one can take it as well as give it, & that will decide this fight. Arguello wins in eight.
And that Arguello gets a lot slower as he gains around 20lbs for this 154lb match up. I favour Tommy. We know what he can do at JMW and how blindingly fast he was. We don't know what Alexis can do and posters are only extrapolating his power and endurance - making him a heavier more durable fighter - without taking away any of his already fairly unspectacular speed. Also, how does he cope not being the taller man? Tommy kayoed Shuler and Hutchings when he faced men of similar stature. How does Alexis land his body shots against a man his own size who is so much faster than him? Meanwhile he's taking those hooks to the body, himself. Lot of factors point to Tommy for mine.
He was literally laid out unconscious by Hagler. Imagine what a 154lb Arguello could do to him. Would do.
Arguello had an ATG chin in his own right. Despite his boxing skill, Hearns' defense wasn't all that great - Hagler was able to hit him numerous times w/ jabs and looping punches from the outside despite being so physically disadvantaged against him. If Hagler can hit him so many times from the outside, I don't see why Arguello couldn't catch him as well.