Hearns should be in the top 3 best ww's of all time

[them_apples]

He get's overshadowed by SRL but keep in mind had the fight been a 12 rounder he would have beat SRL, in his prime as well.

Hearns had everything, explosive power and speed, boxing skills...even his chin was decent before Hagler took that away from him.

His only real downfall was his tendency to rely on power at times which made him make mistakes. But who else, especially inside 12 rounds is going to beat him?

Any version of Duran up until the first SRL fight (following that a 2 month long party)

Ray Robinson was a phenomenal WW.

SRL was losing on the cards if it ended in round 12, but let's say he might have hit the gas sooner if he knew it was 12 rounds only.

Can't think of anyone else being able to beat Hearns.

[The Old LefHook]

He get's overshadowed by SRL but keep in mind had the fight been a 12 rounder he would have beat SRL, in his prime as well.

Hearns had everything, explosive power and speed, boxing skills...even his chin was decent before Hagler took that away from him.

His only real downfall was his tendency to rely on power at times which made him make mistakes. But who else, especially inside 12 rounds is going to beat him?

Any version of Duran up until the first SRL fight (following that a 2 month long party)

Ray Robinson was a phenomenal WW.

SRL was losing on the cards if it ended in round 12, but let's say he might have hit the gas sooner if he knew it was 12 rounds only.

Can't think of anyone else being able to beat Hearns.

One lefhook from Mickey Walker probably ends Tommy's night. But I agree, there are not many who could take him.

When were the weigh-ins in Tommy's era? Weren't they still a day before the fight? I can't remember. If that is the case, I do not see how he could make weight to fight any welterweights under the real rules. Today's rules are completely phony and negate the principle of weight classes. Why have weight classes at all? Let's have the weigh-ins one week before the fight so the fighters will have plenty of time to rehydrate from 135 to 160.

I am not sure Hearns was actually a welterweight in a real world. At middleweight he would not crack to the top five.

[young_robbed]

H2H he was a monster, thats for sure. Im not sure if he has enough fights at welterweight to be rated so highly on the basis of accomplishments (he did most of his other work at the higher weight classes) but against the all time great welters, not too many from the past would beat him on his best night. Hearns might even beat Sugar Ray Robinson.

[Mike Haynes]

I would say he's #3 but I think he wins 2 out of 3 against any WW in history.

[Redd Foxx]

Mad respect for Tommy. I think his refusal to retreat is the only thing that kept him from being higher. I personally think if you could have just tuned up that part of his game he would have been #1. But, would have, could have, should have so I'll accept #3.

[AlexKid]

It was a 10 round fight, so your point is inane. Im sure Hearns knew it was 10 rounds and he still failed.

[Bundana]

One lefhook from Mickey Walker probably ends Tommy's night. But I agree, there are not many who could take him.

When were the weigh-ins in Tommy's era? Weren't they still a day before the fight? I can't remember. If that is the case, I do not see how he could make weight to fight any welterweights under the real rules. Today's rules are completely phony and negate the principle of weight classes. Why have weight classes at all? Let's have the weigh-ins one week before the fight so the fighters will have plenty of time to rehydrate from 135 to 160.

I am not sure Hearns was actually a welterweight in a real world. At middleweight he would not crack to the top five.

At the time of the first Leonard-Hearns fight they still had same day weigh-ins... so even in the "real world" Tommy was a welterweight back then.

[The Old LefHook]

At the time of the first Leonard-Hearns fight they still had same day weigh-ins... so even in the "real world" Tommy was a welterweight back then.

Thanky for clearing that up, Bundy. I know Leonard takes him, because I saw it. I am also confident in Robinson's ability to take some fire, and Tommy's inability to take heavy fire. If the fight gets out of the first or second round, Robby is almost a sure, but if it doesn't, he is far from the sure loser.

People overlook so much of significance. For instance, that the medium punches of Ray Leonard wobbled Tommy and buckled his knees in the middle rounds. Robinson threw much heavier leather than Leonard.

Mickey Walker is another possibility, perhaps the only other feasible possibility. I will not list his resume in some kind of promotional campaign. He was well versed in the art of fighting bigger men. I would actually give the best vesrsion of welterweight Duran a better chance than most welterweight champions than most other welterweight champions I can recall champions I can recall. A big problem for most of them is that not only did Tommy enjoy signifcant height and reach advantages against them, in most cases he was faster than them as well.

While I am at it, I might as well throw in the welterweight version of Langford. That is how desperate one becomes when looking for someone to beat Tommy at welterweight.

Of the known commodities, I would say Tommy is a solid number three, capable of beating either Leonard or Robby if the cards fell right.

With the possible exceptions of Langford, Walker and Duran, Tommy rolls over everyone else. The lefhook of Walker was a thing of deadly beauty.

[Mr.MojoRisin']

Hearns is #2

I think Hearns could outbox Robinson over 10 but would get knocked out over 15. He's one of those fighters who either dominates or gets knocked out. I can't really see him losing a decision because his boxing skills were phenomenal and his power topped it off beautifully.

[Ray Corso]

1. Sugar Ray
2. Armstrong
3. Gavilan
4. Leonard
5. Naploes
6. Walker
7. Hearns
8. Ross
9. Griffith
10. Walcott


The only one I would be confident in all the time would be Robinson.
No one else has the complete package that he displayed.

Ray