S. Ray Robinson 1949 v Thomas Hearns 1984

At 154, I'd go with Hearns.by decision. Hearns would have given Robinson fits.

 

I agree mostly with McGrain, though I could see SRR winning on points with the aid of a couple of knockdowns (though the sentiment was that Robinson isn't going to outbox Hearns with which I totally agree).

I think I'll plump for SRR to catch up to him with a left-hook late in the fight, not too dissimilar to the Leonard fight, but Hearns winning this isn't out of the realms of possibility. If Hearns fights smart he could give Ray one hell of a long night, but I just wouldn't like to predict what sort of gameplan Hearns would go in with!!! He wants to be a warrior.

Hearns with a chin would beat any 147/154 fighter in history IMO. I think we'd be talking about the greatest!!!

 

Hearns chin is underrated bigtime but I still dont think he goes 15 with Robinson without either of Robinson`s hands cracking it.

Robinson by TKO10 in an outright tear-up, Hearns having a narrow lead on the cards before being stopped & Ray taking a brief trip to the canvas in rd 4 earlier.

:good

 

I like Robinson in this one. The right could resemble hearn's fight with leonard but i'd fancy Robinson to catch up with him a bit sooner as i feel he hit harder and was a slightly better attacking fighter than SRL. Robinson by tko 8-10

 

Hearns by KO.

 

Robinson. By knockout.

 

Robinson wins this fight far more often than not. You think Hearns is avoiding a tear-up at any point in this fight? When dealing with two fighters of equal firepower, durability and resolve prevails. Over 15 rounds, no question Robinson takes him out. My guess would be that this ends within 6 after a hell of a fireworks display.

 

Hearns certainly has the physical attributes at 154 to make it tough for anybody. Just the same, he also has some glaring weakness, namely, chin and suspect stamina.
On the other hand, Robinson is smaller, yet, as a fighter, basically has it all. Both fighters will give and take considerable punishment. However Ray's overall versatility and stamina prevails in the end, as he systematically grinds Tommy down and wears him out. Robinson by TKO 13.

 

Robinson was a lethal puncher. He would reach his opponents often and early. Many of those he faced could take his shots, and so he wore them down or won on points. Many others could not take his shots and were blown out. Unfortunately, Hearns would not have been able to take Robinson's shots. Robinson could take a tremendous shot. Even when hurt, he fought back. Indeed, Robinson was often at his best when hurt. It would be spectacular while it lasted, but in this shootout, Hearns would fall and he would fall early.

 

Why? :huh

I don't think his chin is underrated at all. I think many people often brush his punch resistance problems under the carpet because they revere his awesome offensive abilities.

There were points in the first Leonard fight where Hearns was swaying like a sapling in a hurricane after glancing blows. SRL was a very good puncher, but he was not... well, Hearns. If that fight does not display someone with a weak chin, not decent, not ok, but weak then I don't know what does.

I can understand why anyone would feel strongly about a fantastic warrior like Tommy, but just to write his obvious deficiency off as being 'underrated' is silly. There is clear, indisputable evidence from his fights that his chin was a glaring weakness.


And in response to the thread subject, Sugar Ray Robinson by knockout before round 8. You put one of the best offensive machines in history in with that chin, and there is only one result. Tommy, being the superb boxer he was, would of course hit Ray a lot while Ray was attempting to get close, he would hurt Ray and he would win rounds, BUT Ray Robinson would only need one opening to knock Tommy out cold. And a fighter of his quality would find that opening, undoubtedly.

 

I dont know if SRR really has that much of a speed advantage, Tommy had fast hands himself

 

Honestly, I can't pick an outright winner.
The difference in durability is noted, but SRR would have to walk through, evade or somehow escape some helacious fire, at least early on.

This may sound unthinkable, but if (IF) Hearns caught Sugar with the same right hand he caught Duran with for the final knockdown, it's over.

Ray's chances for a victory, which for me start out at about 50/50, will improve the longer the fight goes, and Tommy will have to face some pretty withering fire himself.

Blast it...Ray probably does win thinking about it...but it's by no means a certainty, imo.