whose the better fighter, sugar ray leonard or thomas hearns?

If you don't count Duran II then you cannot count Leonard/Hearns II for Hearns either.

Sugar Ray Leonard is superior to Hearns. Tommy was chinny and that was always a danger for him when he stepped up against big punchers or fighters more durable than himself (Leonard and Hagler). Leonard didn't have that problem and was only legitimately defeated in his prime against Roberto Duran, who he then defeated the next two times they met.

Leonard by clear decision.
​

 

Upon re-reading this, it's clear you're very biased toward Hearns.
​

 

leanord is better, but hearns is a classier person

 

SRL son

 

H2h I still think that Hearns was the better fighter. Obviously SRL is considered the better fighter. You have to look at it from the matching up perspective...Hearns was the most nightmarish matchup for any style in the history of boxing..He had that one flaw which is his chin... Its really hard to say purely who was better. Hearns may have the case simply by beating common opponents more convincingly(prime or not) He got foolish by trading with Hagler and engaging SRL in the first fight when he was clearly winning.

But like I say Legacy wise..Leonard

 

P4P no question Leonard, but...... at 147 its hard to say. Leonard knocked out the young Hearns, but then Hearns came back and beat (In my opinion) Leonard years later. Hearns had better power, jab, legnth and just overall more physically talented. Leonard though had the heart, chin and mind...not to mention that he was no slouch when it came to punching power and speed.
In my opinion Hearns is much more exciting and that sometimes make people think he is better, but I still believe that Leonard > Hearns @147, but not by much :good

 

Love Hearns. Found him to be more entertaining than SRL. But Leonard was greater. Better resume and plus, he beat a prime Tommy (although it could've gone the other way obviously).

 

well...based on the fact that, on paper, leonard has got a win and a draw when they met...i have to say leonard..
although i am reminding myself here of what hearns did to duran...i dont think anyone else in the world at that weight could have done to duran what hearns did to him...at that stage of durans career...hearns is rightfully regarded as a legend in this sport..

 

you know..the more i think about it..the closer it gets and the better this question becomes...
my opinion...hearns won the rematch {although what a great final round by leonard}...leonard won when they were both at their absolute peaks..
but...hearns had the better career..longer and more weight divisions..

ok...who's best doug??...er..leonard..just....based purely on the fact that he beat hearns when they were both at thier best...and i do take the point further back that that fight could have maybe continued and hearns was in front...

damn close when you really think about it..



something left of topic...when i got to have a chat with leonard he told me that he considered donny lalonde to be one of his toughest fights...i was surprised by that..

 

Thomas Hearns is my favourite fighter of all time, so its hard to judge, but while Ithink tommy had the greater strengths, he also had the most glaring weaknesses, and while he did have a poor chin it was his inability to tie Leonard up when hurt which cost him the fight.
Because of this Sugar Ray will always go down as the greater fighter as he beat tommy in his prime (although the hitman was arguably even better at 154).