I lived and died with the two Hearns-Leonard fights. Saw the first on Closed Circuit TV in Lake Tahoe, going into Round 14 there was no way Hearns loses that fight but Leonard had that extra something I think Hearns lacked just a bit. The second fight was a robbery and the draw hurt Hearns legacy even though he deserved the decision. The Hagler fight was desperation. I think he went for it so early to either win it or lose it and not have to go through 12 or 15 rounds of hell. Great fighter, great skills, maybe just a bit short of the mental strength of Leonard and Hagler. But that right hand following the left jab - he KO'd some people big time in his day.
Joshua Leaves Questions
The Joshua-Ruiz drama was two strange fights that leave me confused. Joshua looked spooked in Fight One, Ruiz had the night of his life, Joshua said nothing about what was going on with him. Fight Two, with Joshua coming out of a long hibernation of training, he boxed, moved a bit, stayed away without running, and won a landslide without landing a significant punch. Weight on Ruiz? Skill or fear from Joshua? Who knows? Remember Roy Jones Jr. after the Montel Griffin DQ? Or Antonio Tarver after what he believed was a robbery against Roy Jones Jr.? That's what desire looks like after a loss. AJ is a great human being, a thoughtful, authentic, respectful dude. He didn't even get after Jarrell Miller when the out-of-line loudmouth tested positive for PEDs. AJ still speaks well of Dillian Whyte, who insults AJ in the worst ways every time the subject comes up. He's too cerebral, too much in his head to beat a madman like Tyson Fury; he'd go down from a Wilder right hand and Dillian Whyte would take him out at this point. AJ's big moment was against Klitschko -- now he's a wealthy and popular man who will have a great career post-boxing if he doesn't hang on too long and end up in an embarrassing verbal battle with Fury, Wilder and Whyte.
This Is The Fight
These are the best rivals in the sport not yet gone head to head. They’re both arrogant, fearless southpaws, able to switch, make changes mid-round — intelligent, full of heart, carry a mean streak — mirror images of one another. In the old days this would have been a 15 rounder, last round winner take all. I think of Spence as a bit stronger and I give him a close decision or a stoppage in 11 or 12. But I sometimes see something once they’re in the ring together that I can’t see beforehand, so I may change my mind in Round 2. Sign ‘em up, give me a date, I’ll host the PPV party.