Tommy Hearns vs Roberto Duran

It was a hellacious finishing right hand by Tommy Hearns. That was his $ punch and one of the great weapons in boxing history. Duran was already hurt before that last shot landed.

Think about the nightmare of facing Hearns. You have this laser like jab coming from a 6-1 Welter/Jr Middle and if you get blinded by it your gonna walk into that right. Being on the outside with Hearns was total suicide.

 

Steward had also put in place plans to combat Duran's superb defense. Have a look how early Hearns had Duran trying to parry jabs and feints to the body. At about 1.25 he shows his intention to follow the odd jab/feint to the body with lightning right hands to the head before Duran can adjust.

Numerous times he nails Duran (first kd etc) with right hands after jabbing or feinting the jab low. The KO punch is of course set up by throwing the left toward his midriff twice then BOOM.

 

Yes. I also remember Hearns coming out very aggressive and forcing Duran back on his heels. He applied the pressure to Duran and not vice versa which surprised me a little. Had Duran been able to get forward momentum he may have gained confidence and been more dangerous.

 

Hearns said in interviews before the fight he was going to go for an early knockout to test Duran's chin. He said he was going to come right out and if Duran couldn't take the punch it would be over fast. They asked him others have not knocked him out, and he said those people couldn't punch like he can.

 

Everytime Duran made a move or threw a punch Hearns countered fast and landed more. Just too fast. Duran did land a few good punches. I remember a right hand on Hearns chin which Hearns had to back up and reset and then come forward again. I don't think the fight was an insult on Duran it was more a demonstration of how hard Hearns could punch and how fast he was.

 

For sure, backing Duran up most effective.

 

in this fight whoever backed up would lose and Hearns moving forward means his full power was on his punches.

 

Duran just didn't have the reach to get inside and Hearns was too fast and accurate on the outside. I agree Duran needed to go to the body but it's kind of hard when you're getting picked off every time you try close the distance. I think that if Roberto managed to get past the first few rounds and Tomy slowed up a little, he'd have had a good chance of winning. Alas, Hearns took care of business like an assassin.

 

I think Hearns would go fine if he went the boxing route.

 

Tommy Hearns was all wrong for Duran.

Duran at his best was a lightweight.

He didn't train properly for Hearns fight and Tommy had arguably the best right hand in history.

IMO it takes nothing away from Duran, just adds to his legend.

 

Hearns was so sharp and fast in this fight and set about Duran right from the start I don't think Roberto could get going. Everything he tried Tommy had an answer for. That as well as size advantages done for Roberto.

 

Hearns was too fast, strong, powerful and big. Duran may have done better at another time but IMO he would never beat Hearns this was a bad matchup. Hearns was too fast for Duran's style of defense. I think his management didn't do their style study homework

 

I think it is always good when legends fight. I don't think it hurt Duran's legacy. It helped Hearns more than hurt Duran. Legends fighting legends is always better than never fighting at all. The thing I say about Duran and Hearns, when they both were knocked out badly they came back and won more titles. They didn't let that destroy them, they got back up and fought on. That was admirable of both. We never saw how Hagler or Leonard would do if they could come back from a knockout.

 

Great post on my favorite fighter of the fab 4. Followed the hit man in my home state as his closely.After the loss to Leonard in 81 I found him exciting to watch with the highs and lows of his knockouts.When the ko of Duran happened I thought this guy was incredible! Hagler sure fought the perfect fight with Hearns for the War.I wonder how Hagler would of fared against the Hearns right that toppled Duran,and the rematch that never happened.He sure looked great against Shuler. But then again maybe Hearns to Duran is the same as Hagler to Hearns as far as styles go.Then again ,I would have been more convinced if Hearn's hand didn't break..

 

I think Hearns showed he can hit Hagler and Duran did not show he can hit Hearns easily. Hearns was hitting Hagler easily. the fact Hagler took it because Hearns hurt his right hand. But if Hearns didn't break his right and Hagler was not moving forward as much. I think Hearns might get him or at least hurt him badly..