Was Hearns stopped prematurely against SRL?

I think the stoppage Leonard was given credit for over Benitez was a lot more questionable. I didn't disagree with this stoppage really. Maybe a little too soon, but would've come anyway.

 

No.. Tommy was a spent Bullett, and it's very doubtful he could have hung on for another 3 minutes,, Leonard was teeing off..
Nobody in Hearns corner complained so that was that..

 

It was 1981 not 1881, no one had an issue with the stoppage, seemed perfect to me.

 

would have gone in the 15 so no complaints

 

It was too early of an stoppage for me.

 

No. Hearns had trained down too much and was getting beat up.

He came back to have a great career.

Leonard knew Tommy was still a very dangerous opponent and made
him wait years for a rematch...that tells you something.

 

No ,it was a correct decision by the ref ,imo.

 

Hearns wasn't way ahead on points, and he definently wouldn't have been at the end, Leonard had just had a 10-8 round previously and the 14th would have more than likely been 10-8. Hearns' legs were gone and they didn't look like being able to take another round of battering from Leonard who at that point just let it all out.

 

Hearns wasn't quite running on half empty regarding stamina as made out be against Leonard. It's just a myth. He was tired, no question, but every fighter has a certain degree of fatigue about them during the late rounds of a gruelling fight. Its wasn't an all out war, but it was a physically demanding affair for both fighters up until the finish.

Watch the start of the 14th round and you'll see Hearns up on the balls of his feet, getting off with punches, and doing reasonably fine until Leonard caught him along the ropes.

IMO Leonard's fists were the main problem for Hearns during the 13th and 14th rounds, not tiredness.

 

It speaks volumes that neither Hearns or his corner protested the stoppage at the time.

 

I agree with Robbi on the tiredness thing.It's become something many seem to just accept without watching the fight.

Both fighters had slowed very slightly with it being late on obviously, but other than that Hearns was still going very strong until Leonard beat him from pillar to post.

Had Leonard not caught he would have gone 15 with ease.

 

When a fighter gets stopped during the late rounds of a fight or shows serious stamina problems down the stretch to lose a decision, its a viable and common excuse. It's hardly taking credit away from the opponent who conquered you. Injuries yes, and serious troubles outside of the ring leading up to a fight. Was it a fluke, because of certain circumstances in one being defeated?.

I have an old Ring magazine from a few months after the fight. Hearns awnsers questions regarding the fight, and specific questions include how he performed, Leonard's stratgey, and obviously what went wrong for him during the late rounds. Hearns said his stamina wasn't a problem, and even stated he never had problems making the weight.

 

Great stoppage IMO. Tommy had given his all i think.

 

No Hearns didn't know how to hold on when he was hurt. Those last couple of bodyshots Leonard hit him with really hurt. I'm not a Sugar Ray fan but it was a good stoppage.