Was Hearns v SRL the greatest possible fight that could've been made IRL?

[Nash out]

Still Rocky Balboa vs Hulk Hogan for me. Nash out

[JAB5239]

It seems, as best one can tell from reading about it, Greb-Walker was a sensation at the time. Not for the fight itself but was a highly anticipated fight, that fans were excited was happening.

According to a biography of Arnold Rothstein, big money was being bet on the fight.

P.S. Also the legendary post fight bar brawl helped make it special.

I do believe,if i remember correctly, that the bar fight never actually occurred, but was fabricated and only came out some time after Greb had passed away.

[QueensburyRules]

It doesnt need to be top 5 atgs only, but in my view thats what Hearn SRL was (at least in regards to ww). And they were both close to their primes.

Could there ever have been a better possible matchup?

- - Yeah, through no fault of his own Ray could've fought a properly trained Hearns instead of the drained 145lber who entered the ring.

Coulda given Duran the immediate rematch after NO MAS, but Ray Melted.

Ali coulda fought Wilt in an international blockbuster, but he fainted when time to sign the contract on Howard Cosell's ABC show arranged for just that purpose.

[GhostofDempsey]

Leonard/Duran, Barrera/Morales, Griffith/Rodriquez, come to mind.

[JAB5239]

- - Yeah, through no fault of his own Ray could've fought a properly trained Hearns instead of the drained 145lber who entered the ring.

Coulda given Duran the immediate rematch after NO MAS, but Ray Melted.

Ali coulda fought Wilt in an international blockbuster, but he fainted when time to sign the contract on Howard Cosell's ABC show arranged for just that purpose.

Your nonsense and lies know no boundaries. Hearns looked his absolute welterweight best against Ray, in my opinion. And Wilt never wanted any part of Ali, this has been proven over and over. Troll.

[mrbig1]

I would have bet my house on Hearns to win. glad I'm not a betting man. Leonard showed his championship heart.

[Anthony342]

I would have bet my house on Hearns to win. glad I'm not a betting man. Leonard showed his championship heart.

Supposedly some people did. As for best fights not being made, how about Lewis/Bowe? And yeah May/Pac has to be up there for happening too late. Possibly Leonard/Hagler was a little late. Could've maybe happened 2-3 years before instead of Leonard deciding to retire after the Kevin Howard fight or after the Hagler/Hearns fight.

[The D3vil]

What about Leonard/Duran?

Duran's a top 5 P4P player ever & in 1980, he was 72-1 and the best fighter of the 1970s.

Leonard had just beat Benitez and was about to face Hearns.

Sugar Ray Robinson & Henry Armstrong?

Those are 2 top 5 fighters of all-time.

Where were they in their careers when they fought.

You could also look at Ali/Liston or Ali/Frazier or Ali/Foreman as well

[Willow The Wisp]

This is a nice thread.

[Willow The Wisp]

Lots of good comments. I just want to reflect on, what Leonard did with his career was pretty incredible.