Thomas Hearns 1983 - '85 v. McCallum and Mugabi at 154 pounds

Hearns stops Mugabi in the mid-late rounds in a pretty one-sided fight. Mugabi has his moments but Hearns would be in control most of the fight.

Hearns vs. McCallum would be close. A draw really wouldn't surprise me at all. I'm going to go with Hearns in a very close fight but my guess is people would be split on who they thought won.

 

Mugabi was ranked #1 by the IBF, WBA, and WBC at MW in 1986. He was also 25-0 (25) going into the fight with Hagler. At that point who had Mugabi beat? The biggest name on his resume was a 18-4-1 (12) Frank Fletcher who he stopped in 4 rounds. Fletcher only fought once more. He also beat Curtis Parker KO1 and James Green KO10 among others.

Hearns may have paid him step-aside money but that doesn't mean that Mugabi could have beat Hearns or any other top JMW or MW for that matter. Beating Fletcher and Rene Jacquot (KO1, twisted ankle) doesn't really impress me. Two of his most impressive fights were his losses to Hagler (LKOby11) and Bo James (L10).

Tough guy with heart and power no doubt but could he beat Hearns? Hell no!

 

Oh yes he did:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa42hSH5hhE[/ame]

Personally I think Hearns would stop Mugabi, and it's a coin flip vs McCallum. Hearns by points or McCallum stoppage.

 

Mugabi's chin is a bit overrated, and you need one heck of a chin vs Hearns. Look at the Norris fight for example, for what a quick fighter with power can do to him.

 

:good

 

Hearns is underrated when it comes to his pre-Hagler years at 154. He was fast and beat two ATG fighters Benitez and Duran in great fashion. People compare McCallum to the post-Hagler Hearns which was the one Tommy was when Mike was fighting Curry and at middleweight later. Hearns prime and McCallums prime was not at the same time even though Mike was older. Hearns fought tougher guys and was in harder fights earlier than Mike was. I think the best Hearns beats the best McCallum by an easy enough decision.