Hearns had a clear physical advantage: much longer reach and stronger punching power. Their speed was perhaps equal. In the first round Benítez didn’t land a single punch. There were a number of times during the fight where Benítez appeared to be cornered, and somehow just managed to slide out of Hearns’ barrage. What if Benítez had fought back more?
Well then he becomes more open to counters from Hearns, and countering was supposed to be his game. I think he tried; he came back some in the middle rounds, but he just couldn't get around that height and reach and quickness. He always seemed just a half-step behind.
Wilfred dictated, to a degree, the terms of the fight in that he made it a tactical test ... which is the only way he had a chance. Benitez was also a master of countering off the ropes, it was the best part of his game, and Hearns refused many times to follow him there ... just backed out to the middle of the ring and waved him back out. Emmanuel Stewart knew better than to let his guy fall into that trap so just took that away from the table for the most part.
Hearns had him trouble a few times right at the bells. May have finished him. His hand broke later on..
Hagler utilized his comfort at middleweight. Hearns was tall but he was not yet a natural middleweight in my mind. I think with Shuler, that was the first time he looked solid at middleweight.. But with Benitez, it was not his game. Not many guys can change a style like that. Usually they come out aggressive, get hit with a big punch and go back to defense. Hagler had a gameplan and he and Hearns had some heated press conferences. I think Benitez tried, but how do you get inside on Hearns? I think the same thing happened with Hill 9 years after Benitez. He couldn't get inside on Hearns or counter. That jab was just too controlling, and if you cannot work inside on Hearns or be willing to take big punches, you usually won't beat him.
No it wouldn't have 1st. It wasn't who he was, and Benitez didn't have the firepower and offensive skill Hagler possessed or the chin. It would've been a recipe for disaster if Benitez came at Hearns like Hagler did, and a 1st round knock out LOSS for him.
yeah and the fact is Hearns did not really open up like he could have. He remembered that Benitez knocked out Hope with one punch in 1981 to win the title at 154, and he beat Duran much of the fight with his back on the ropes. So he was cautious of being countered and he didn't want to be suckered with Benitez on the ropes. So Hearns fought carefully also.
