Thomas The Hitman Hearns vs Oscar De La Hoya, 147 lbs, Prime For Prime.

I got Hearns stopping him. Could be early too. The way DeLahoya liked to fight with his arms extended a bit. Hearns gets right through that.

 

Hearns by UD, or possible late round stoppage.

 

Hearns by UD. His right hand would make Oscar tentative and inactive, just like Oscar was for large portions of the Quartey fight. I remember Oscar saying Ike’s power made him cautious, and Hearns’s straight right hand was one of the greatest in boxing history. Hearns was also very difficult to outbox at long range, Hagler had to switch his style and turn into a bull.

There is a chance that Oscar could catch Tommy with his left hook and stop him, but it’s slim. It took awhile for Leonard to finally finish Hearns after hurting him, and Ray was one of the best finishers ever.

 

I'm not even giving Oscar chin in this. Tommy's chin was not bad at welter. It took a barrage to put him away.

Endurance is different. That takes into account body attack, too. Ray hurt Tommy badly to the body but Hopkins finished Oscar with one body shot and, although a bigger man, I don't think Hopkins' shot to the body was as wicked as Ray's. So I can't even give Oscar this advantage either.

In short, maybe ring IQ would be the only category where I'd favour Oscar. Tommy hadn't fully developed his skill set at 147 and was still maturing mentally while Oscar had been facing good opposition for a few years prior to appearing as a welter. It wouldn't be enough. Tommy in the championship rounds, well ahead on points but no reason for Oscar to be ashamed.

 

On paper Oscar has a solid chance. He wouldn’t be dwarfed the way most others were against Hearns. Tommy still holds the edges he normally does (height, reach, and power), but to a lesser degree than he’s used to. Speed, another of Hearns’ primary advantages, is pretty much a wash in this one.

Finally, Oscar had the better chin, which is often an important factor in a battle of punchers.

I wouldn’t fault someone for picking him based on styles or what have you.

 

A bad ending for Oscar, for sure.
It's not that he didn't have heart, he did, and the guy had skill.
But he's a good oppenent for Hearns, his chins gonna keep showing itself, till eventually it takes one too many shots.

 

One of my Personal favorites is Thomas Hearns. I think he was so damn close being the greatest fighter ever. I'm not sure he makes to 10 all time, but I LOVE Hearns. I think Loma has the potential to hit all time top 5, if he beats Teo in the rematch, then the third time, and then has a couple more accomplishments. But I don't really have a Full list or anything. I think Aaron Pryor was also one of those guys that was super close to top 5 all time great, but needed a FEW little things. Mike Tyson lb for lb and age, if you froze him in time when he became champ, and every other fighter in history had to be as good as Tyson was at that age or bust, no one would ever be better. I think there was a point in Mike Tysons career where if you measure him against every other fighter ever at the same age, he is bar none the best.