Who do yer favour to beat Ray Robinson at Welterweight

You're missing the point. We were debating whether or not Hearns' power was equal to SRR's and I used Tommy's KOs at higher weights to reinforce my argument.The fact is that he does, in fact, have several KOs at LHW and Cruiser...not to mention a tremendous decision win over Virgil Hill. The fact that Hearns "commanded the respect" of fighters 50lbs above the weight class mentioned in this thread should prove my point...no?

 

I rate Leonard's power and offense highly, but more than anything it's the approach that makes him different to Robinson.The only fights he really had where he took a Robinson like approach to opponents that were better than decent was against Ranzany and Kalule(even the latter seemed more of a specific plan)

he was a lot more cautious and gameplan orientated, i get the impression a lot more afraid of losing or not being in constant control ring-generalship wise in a fight than Robinson was.Which may have to do with the difference in eras and Leonard being the one who brought in the start of the"superfight" mentality and way of hyping fights(when really his top fights against other major fighters and contenders were just top fights in the way the likes of Robinson had dozens).

Robinson would never reign himself in so self-consciously as Leonard did offensively against Benitez, Hearns or most obviously of all Duran 2.

Sure he would jab from the outside for a time, but it was done in a natural manner with an eye to imposing himself with viscious powershots at any opening which would appear.IN that sense he is a lot more comparable to Hearns, than Leonard who is more likely to really open up only if he sees he has the opponent hurt.

Robinson would fire back right from the start against Hearns and look to impose himself in a way few Tommy fought did.Doing only what was needed to ensure he doesn't get caught with something stupid...but never going safety first, or conceding the jab like Leonard did.

It would be awesome to watch, but there's no way Hearns defence or chin would hold up for too long imo and once Robinson hurts him he would be gone soon after.

Steward then says at the post-fight intervies his firm hands massaging Tommy's thighs before the fight just took much out of his boy.


Incidentally i would have liked to see Leonard fight a second time with Benitez.too see how he would approach it.Would he have fought freely offensively as againt kalule, knowing he had the measure of the patient boxing when he needs it, or would he still be over cautious and tactical.

 

Great post lora

 

sexy

Pretty big departure from the recent "da thai tyson" posts, i think i like this better. Good call, and agreed on the matchup.

 

Duran is a terrible mention. He'd be Hearns'd by an even better fighter than Hearns.

 

Very good post.

 

Hearns Chin & legs would not be able to withstand Robinson's Power. If Leonard could hurt Hearns, I'm sure Robbo could.

 

Lora, great dissection. Especially the part about how differently Leonard and Robinson reacted under fire.

 

Duran
Leonard
Both have a good chance.