Would Prime SRRobinson vs Prime Hearns have been fun or a mismatch?

Gun to my head I'll have to say yes, but if I watched their actual fight rest assured I'd score one Gavilan jab as equal to 3 straight right hands by Tommy.

I love Kid Gavilan, and think he is a greater fighter than Tommy, but Tommy probably just has enough to survive what the Kid can dish out and escape by a point or two victory.

 

I dont think Hearns was quicker than a Welterweight Robinson. He certainly didnt have Sugar Ray`s footwork and balance.

One thing that may be getting overlooked is that Robinson was taller and rangier than Ray Leonard. He isnt that much shorter than Tommy Hearns. The Hitman`s drastic height and reach advantage would be negated somewhat.

I think Robinson could use his silky side to side movement to catch an angle and end the fight before the drama gets too thick. Sugar`s lefthook was every bit as explosive as any punch in Hearns arsenal.

Definitley a dangerous fight thats why Ray gives him the George Costner treatment. Maybe not KO1 but inside 5.

 

I think the Hearns who fought Duran vs. Robinson at anytime would be competitive. I would almost favor Hearns if he fought the right fight and boxed.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson lacks footspeed? He had some of the fastest feet in the history of the ring. Unless your gauging it from films of a 36 or 37 year old version.

Hearns was a great offensive force and a freak of nature at Welter but Robinson had the tools to break him down sooner than RL. He had the speed, power, footwork, chin and smarts to get the job done.

 

This would be some fight. Great matchup. (Great post by Duo.)

Honestly, the greatest difference between the two here is chin. I nodded in agreement with everyone here who stated that their respective chins would decide the outcome eventually.

But Hearns took a piece out of every fighter he lost to, and he'd take a piece of Robinson too, I don't doubt it. Tommy would be among the best opponents for Ray at the weight.

At 154 I think Hearns could win this. He seemed much more comfortable at the weight, and stronger. He carried his punch up as well. Over 12, I'd pick Hearns.

 

Depends also what version of Hearns turns up, will he go balls to the walls and try and take SRR out early like with Duran and Hagler or keep range, and try and outbox him. Either way i think SRR is just too active, too fast, hits too hard and throws punches in combos that Hearns couldn't deal with. Hearns going the distance with SRR without getting tagged badly seems way to unlikely, SRR by brutal KO.

 

Hearns would take one in a series...probably one of the non-title fights.

 

It would have been as similar as you can get to Hearns' first fight with Sugar Ray Leonard.

 

Considering that Robinson was never KO'ed in twenty five years in the ring I doubt that a 22 year old Tommy Hearns does it .. I think Hearn's would be extremely dangerous early and then be stopped in the middle rounds ....

 

Hearns is no easy match for anyone at 147 or 154. It would have been a hell of a fight.

 

I voted late round stoppage for SRR. I can't see Hearns lasting. He was a great boxer, but as soon as Robinson gets his chance, boom. Lights out. I love Hearns, but he has to have one of the weakest chins of all of the ATG's. Even when he wasn't KO'd he was hurt so many times.

 

I'd expect Robinson to win inside of 8 rounds.
Hearns simply wasn't rugged and durable enough.