Is Kovalev This Generation's Thomas Hearns?

[Kigali]

Very true. Hearns threw jabs like ATG's not some lunging lanky Euro Eastern conservative stuff... Hearns also threw graceful combinations.

can't believe these styles are even being compared

Consider the source...they don't **** about boxing.

[kafkod]

Nothing similar about them...not even close.
.

can't believe these styles are even being compared

But if Kovalev starts getting KTFO by MWs and WWs ... ?

[Tony Trick-Pony]

But if Kovalev starts getting KTFO by MWs and WWs ... ?

Haha. They'll be brothers at that point.

[Outwest Exp 355]

If you mean by coming up small in his biggest fights then yes, although I think he beat Ward.

[iamboxing]

What about chins? Kovalev has a stronger chin, no?

[Robbie Barrett]

Hearns was probably the greatest boxer ever, he had everything apart from a granite chin.

[2Slick]

Kovalev has never moved up in weight or faced a puncher. It's hard to tell how skillful he truly his when he never has to respect what's coming back.

[Brocklee]

He is so powerful and quick love it

[TOBYLEE1]

I do not see it that way. Kov has numbing power, Hearns was more active with the jab and could box when he wanted to

[HandsofIron]

I agree. I could only see the difference between Hearns and Kovalev is when Hearns sometimes telegraph his punches, especially his straight right hand where he will hold up his left hand on your face or shoulder while his right hand hold up at the rear. It does massive damage to the opponent, mostly knocking them out but it is easily avoidable.

Hearns didn't telegraph his punches, that technique he did with the jab to the face is called the blinder jab. Hearns did that so his opponents couldn't see what was coming next and he had a big plus with those freakishly long arms of his.

Just watch how Hearns measures the distance with the jab to set up the right hand in his signature win vs Pipino Cuevas.

He did the same with Leonard but Leonard, the genius fighter that he is, instinctively brushed or push Tommy's left hand away from his face.