Thomas Hearns 1987 v Matthew Saad Muhammad 1979

6'4" Vonzell Johnson tried to stick and dance his way to a championship decision over Matt, with Gil Clancy repeatedly and resignedly reassuring Tim Ryan that "he can't" keep it up. Sure enough, Vonzell ran out of gas in the 11th. With his power, Tommy might be more likely to attempt to engage, but Matt was really smart, and would persistence hunt Tommy into eventual collapse at the very least. One didn't elude his way to a 15 round verdict over Saad Muhammad. Bull Martin attempted to attack him on the ropes with a downstairs assault, claiming in interviews before their match that he'd previously discovered as a sparring partner for Matt that, "Saad has no body!" His effort failed to pan out, and Matthew actually closed his reign with one of the easier defenses he had, outmaneuvering and outboxing Martin before closing the show.

Marvin Johnson was a monstrous and aggressive puncher who landed everything including the kitchen sink on Matt twice, only to succumb twice inside of 12 rounds. Kates, Jerry Martin (who decked James Scott twice), Billy Douglas, and Yaqui (2X) were also dangerous hitters. Hearns is not getting peak Matthew out of there before he gasses himself. Might he deck Saad cold? In the unlikely event he does score an early knockdown, it's not as if Matt never came off the floor to register a stoppage in short order.

 

Yep.

Tommy needs the 83 version of Saad, not the 79 guy. Actually Tommy needs the later version of old pops as well.

Actually, all of those Saad guys provide a lot more problems to Hearns than a Dennis Andries did. He'd have to break down a guy like Conteh or Martin or Johnson or Lopez and I don't think at lh Tommy absorbs well enough to pull it off. Andries was not an opponent that Hearns had to break down. Iran Barkley at 175 probably was and I think those Saad opponents, let alone Saad himself are the worst style for Hearns. He needs easy to hit face first guys like Andries or Boxer types like Hill or a Maske. I'd take Moorer at lh or the guy that followed in his footsteps, Barber over Tommy at 175. That's asking an awful lot out of a former 147 pounder to go through that line of competition.

 

Saad would make mulch out of Hearns by the 12th round. It would be a very good fight by and large for about 8 rounds with Hearns getting some good work done..outboxing Saad and getting in some good right hands....but...the inevitable would happen and Saad would come on like a lion from the 9th on...ignoring blood and pain to crumble Hearns with a fusillade of body punches before switching to the head...decking Tommy brutally in the 11th and stopping him in the 12th.

 

I like and respect Tommy as he was a gladiator and ducked no one,but he's in over his head here.Matt was a natural lightheavy that could punch bigtime and recover as well as anyone in recent history.Tommy was obviously not the fearsome puncher at 175 as he was at the lower weights as he's obviously hitting bigger men there.Hearns starts well early due to his height and reach advantages but gets worn down and stopped probably around the 8th.

 

:goodGreat post,Duo!!!

 

Dwight Muhammed Qawi and Michael Spinks would have,too.

 

Well put,zad!!:good

 

P4p,Tommy was probably better than Matt,but most certainly not at 175.Matt by mid-late ko.

 

Bump.
Hearns lights him up until his own lights go out.
Saad can’t afford to take too much punishment though which is a possibility if he becomes demoralised, he has to find the knockout punch before that happens, which I believe he would.
Hearns outboxes him, sets up power punches on the back foot, walks Saad onto punches, landing punches from all angles, jab, left uppercut cross, mixing in the body shots, timing Saad when Saad throws back, countering him, but eventually, Hearns throws something like, jab cross left to the body, left hook upstairs, but Saad beats him to the left hook and follows up and switches his lights out.
Saad can take a bit from Hearns, but not the other way around, Hearns can definitely hurt Saad, but Saad has the better chin here.

 

Saad would take Hearns head off and I love Hearns.

 

Saad would send Hearns to the stands. Probably the worst possible match-up at 175 for him.

He stands a slightly better chance against Pops, but most likely gets stopped by Pops as well.

 

Prime Saad could eat all kinds of punches and bombs like cherry bomb flavoured candies,if Hearns struggled vs guys who just won't give up and pressed him despite those storm of punches, he's in big trouble.

While looking at how Conteh managed to find some success vs him it could be competitive,you know how unpredictable Saad could be too,he can shift gears good as he had good experiences on most styles.

 

Hearns looks ok for a few rds until Matt physically imposes himself on him. Matt by KO befor 8

 

Saad might take punishment to get inside but, like Barkley, he should be able to do it. His power will be too much for Hearns. Saad by KO

 

His spindly legs impacted his ability to take a punch though.