Just re watched this for the first time in decades basically. Admittedly Bruce was a small welter but Hearns ATG jab, speed and power was on full display. He also showed great reflexes and was extremely hard to hit cleanly. His physical advantages over the welterweight division (especially supported by his ATG jab) were immense. His right hand is simply immense. This content is protected
It was impressive, but Curry was a far cry from, say, a Ray Leonard. He didn't have the lateral movement or defense to stay away from Hearn's power, or the chin to accept Hearn's power. Leonard had all the required attributes to engage Hearns, that Curry did not have. Hearns simply used his height and reach advantages to land first. If Curry could have landed something big, he did have the power in his 147 prime to hurt Hearns. But, he was outmatched physically and outgunned.
Wow only 20 years old... What talent, and meaning both guys. 20 amd 23 years old and being that good at something... It only took about 2 times of Curry's head taking a jab and tipping back so far he was looking straight up before he started to keep his head to the side and keep that glove there to catch it... Right in the center of his face those were landing. Must've felt like right hands landing.
I'm sensing a lot of negativity in there. No-one is saying Curry is SRL or an ATG. Being beaten by SRL after putting forth a mighty impressive effort is nothing to be ashamed of. Leonard would have beaten most ATG Welters. Via this level of scrutiny we can write off all of Hearns wins at 147 and his decimation of Duran at 154, which you actually did the other day. Nothing he did seems to impress you at all. It always comes back to negativity.
And Thomas immediately starts range-finding with the left hook after he moves the glove. Nice game of chess by two young guys with high ring IQs.
Bruce Curry was like Leon Spink who at first was seemed to be the more talented sibling but later was overshadowed by their younger and more mentally sound sibling. Curry showed incredible courage in this fight and is best remembered as still swinging as he goes down.
Yep. I've always said that if Hearns had the chin to go with all his other immense assets (skills, speed, killer instinct and awesome power) then he'd have needed to have been barred from this sport. He was downright dangerous anyway but it was those few chinks in his armour that made him not unbeatable and so eminently watchable. I can't pick against Hearns in many h2h matchups from Welter upwards with any certainty because of his damn fearsome attributes. He was a freak and a beast pure and simple.
Thats it precisely. He was outfought but never outboxed. Strangely thats why I always pick Hagler 10 times out of 10 to beat Hearns. People say if Tommy boxed Marvin he'd be able to beat him. But Tommy was a killer and would always try to knock a Hagler out and it would simply never happen. The Hearns psyche which made him so great was also his Achilles heal and I love him for it.
I'm not denigrating Hearns or Curry. I am simply analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of both guys to explain why Curry was overwhelmed, while explaining, in hindsight of course, the attributes that would be needed to exploit Hearns' weaknesses down the road. I know Hearns is one of your favorites. But, I am ambivalent towards him and see his strengths and weaknesses for what they were.
I disagree with much of your explanation and self assessment. I do agree with you the vast majority of times however and find you a top poster and a fine bloke
