Tommy Hearns vs Mike McCallum @LMW

I don't know, Hearns is much better at this weight, more complete a boxer from a stylistic viewpoint, and more composed than at the lower weight also, along with the obvious physical settling at the weight that happened at that part of his career.

And Mike McCallum at 154 pounds is well, Mike McCallum at 154 pounds.

I'll lean towards Tommy, but i can see McCallum upsetting his rythm and taking a decision as a derivitive (spellcheck) from that

 

I take Tommy to be ahead on points going into the championship rounds, but I'm split on whether he holds on or whether McCallum lands something big like he did in the Curry fight.

 

IMO, at 154 Tommy may have been more sturdy, but he wasn't a better technician or mover than he was at 147. I think that's a myth, despite the arguments about his extra experience. He never looked better at any higher weight than he did against Cuevas and Leonard at Welter.

As for a bout with McCallum, I'm not sure McCallum would be able to put enough hurt on Hearns down the stretch to get the late TKO he'd need. He didn't really have that bone crunching power, he was just very well schooled in body punching. I think Hearns's range and ability to keep his distance with that jab (not to mention better hand and footspeed) would give him a distinct advantage in most of the boxing exchanges and allow him to fend off most of McCallum's attempts to get at his mid section.

That's all provided that Hearns doesn't try to bite off more than he can chew too early. Otherwise a late stoppage for McCallum is possible.

 

McCallum has enough power at this weight to at least floor Hearns. IMO, McCallum has problems at long range with Hearns's jab output and right hand down the pipe. While McCallum was also good at range behind the jab, he wasn't quite in the same league as Hearns in that vicinity. He does have the intelligence and arsenal of punches to cause Hearns problems. Sitting off Hearns and getting drawn into a boxing contest wouldn't be a wise move. He'd need to put on constant pressure, rely on his chin, work the body, and try to catch Hearns at mid-range when they both exchanged punches. This was the area where Hearns was vulnerable to being tagged and hurt. Leonard, Hagler, Kinchen, etc, all had their success during exchanges at mid-range or up close on the inside.

 

Certainlt Hearns employed more movement at the lower weight, but he seemed hypo over the stretch of his work at the weight imo. Like i say, more composed at 154 and seemed to have more awareness in the ring. Not sure how they weigh up against one another, because that 'hypo' style at 147 definitely worked for him.

 

Hearns certainly has the power to stop anybody at 154 or lower, but I'm leaning on McCallum for a late stoppage. If he can get under Tommy's jab and to the ribs, its only a matter of time before Mike wears him down.

 

McCallum was badly rocked by Julian Jackson and Donald Curry. IF Thomas Hearns had landed those shots, Mike would have never heard the count.

 

Over 12 I will tak Mccallum in a close decision, over 15 Mike stops him late!

 

One overlooked point in this matchup could be Tommy's body punching. McCallum was a guy who wasn't going to use his legs or lots of head movement to avoid exchanges. His defense was primarily employed by keeping a tight guard. I think Tommy could do some good work underneath McCallum's elbows set up by his hard jab and right hand.
I just think Tommy would be controlling things with that jab and the threat of the right hand. McCallum would be the one having to take all the chances coming across the gap. I'd say Tommy by decision or late stoppage.
But if you ran this one say 10 times, I think McCallum maybe catches Tommy late and gets him out of there 2 or 3 times. I think it would be hard for McCallum to win a decision fight.