Pernell wasn't the sort of stylist Tommy took out. Hearns would definitely have had to go the distance with an uninjured Shields at 147 if Randy's comparable stature hadn't resulted in him coming out on the short end of repeated incidental head clashes with Tommy. Head butts would be a non issue with the height disparity between Hearns and Whitaker. What would be an enormous issue though would be Pea's lack of height, reach and power. There's no question Tommy wins this. The chief question is whether or not Whitaker goes the limit. I think he does. Benitez was able to do it with a questionable chin at the Hit Man's most lethal weight. Pernell was more durable with a southpaw advantage. Defensively, I believe he's good enough to extend Hearns to the final bell, and Tommy would be perfectly content to outbox yet another ATG artisan. It's what he prided himself most on.
Good fight. Hearns would bring his Motor City Cobra rather than his Hitman personna into play in this one. Pernell would be forced onto the backfoot during several periods of the contest culminating in a close,yet convincing points verdict for Thomas.
