[RING 1986 ] Shuler claims that Briscoe hit him a lot harder than Hearns

This is an excerpt from an article "Night of Knockouts," by Jack Welsh, on pp. 9-10 in the May 1988 Ring, where Hearns and Shuler talk about their fight. I found the overall discussion interesting but only mentioned the "hit harder" part in the title because that's what people seem to like arguing about around here.


"I used a couple of lefts to the body to make Shuler bring his hands down. Shuler came out shooting jabs, and he connected with a couple. In the last two punches, I threw a short right, then I had to do a skip to get the long right hand which finished Shuler off. No I didn't think he was going to get up.
"My legs were much stronger for this fight because I cut down on my road work and went back to work on the heavy bag. If there's a delay with Hagler, I'll defend my WBC title because it sure didn't come easy."
Shuler, wearing a black and white jump suit, came to the dais before Hearns departed. He embraced his conqueror and then reflected on the abbreviated ending.
"I was trying to push away from his left hook, and I just got caught with his right hand," James said. "I'll learn from this one. The weather wasn't any excuse. I just got caught. When he hit me with the first right hand, it didn't sting me, so I thought, 'Shucks, I'll take it to him.' The body punches didn't hurt me at all, and that's another reason why I decided to take it to Hearns.
"Bennie Briscoe hit me a lot harder when I used to spar with him in Philly, but Hearns is a great fighter, and a puncher as you can see. Another mistake I made was I had my hands low when I went at him. He was as fast as I thought he'd be so I expected it."
Futch agreed with Shuler on that aspect. "We thought Hearns would come out fast, so I warned Shuler before we left the dressing room, and again just before the first bell. But Hearns kept throwing those rights and one got through."

 

Yes.