Prior to Marvin Hagler, Hearns at 154

[them_apples]

How does he rank? the majority of his wins at this weight were by utter domination, before Hagler took something out of Hearns with his devastating knockout in the 3rd round, How does Hearns stack up at 154?

I'm trying to think of anyone at 154 that made any noise that Hearns couldn't beat. He brought up a lot of speed from WW, a ton of power and skill as well. He wasn't quite as hittable yet because he still had a lot of speed.

Considering Hearns size and age, by the time he made a move to 154 from 147 he actually probably felt stronger.

I'm also looking at the current lineup of 154 lb fighters we have today, Kirkland, Angulo, Lara and Canelo..they all seem like easy knockouts for this version of Hearns.

[Suckmedry]

There is no one from 147-60 who could beat Hearns. Golovkin has a punchers chance and thats it.

[rightsideup]

tommy imo great at 154

[them_apples]

There is no one from 147-60 who could beat Hearns. Golovkin has a punchers chance and thats it.

not just today. any era. Sorry confusing the way I worded it.

I see 154 Hearns sparking Norris.

Jackson has a punches chance as always, but the Hearns prior to Hagler get's to him first imo.

[The Old LefHook]

Hearns' chin is weak. The problem is getting to it. 154 is a phony division anyway, that is why you cannot find any competition there. At welterweight he is not the greatest ever and at middleweight he is not the greatest ever, but IMO he is chasing pretty close.

The first qualification to beat him is you have to be able to take a punch, I mean really take a punch.

Mickey Walker. He might be able to stand up to it and reach that chin. He had a great lefhook that was not telegraphed at all and he was superbly tough and rugged. Hearns might be unable to overwhelm him deja vu Duran, and trying could get him in trouble. A crowded Hearns is a handicapped Hearns.

[them_apples]

Hearns' chin is weak. The problem is getting to it. 154 is a phony division anyway, that is why you cannot find any competition there. At welterweight he is not the greatest ever and at middleweight he is not the greatest ever, but IMO he is chasing pretty close.

The first qualification to beat him is you have to be able to take a punch, I mean really take a punch.

Mickey Walker. He might be able to stand up to it and reach that chin. He had a great lefhook that was not telegraphed at all and he was superbly tough and rugged. Hearns might be unable to overwhelm him deja vu Duran, and trying could get him in trouble. A crowded Hearns is a handicapped Hearns.

Yeah but what era do they fight in? I;'m sure Mickey walker would keep getting up, but nowadays they would stop it.

[Suckmedry]

Hearns' chin is weak. The problem is getting to it. 154 is a phony division anyway, that is why you cannot find any competition there. At welterweight he is not the greatest ever and at middleweight he is not the greatest ever, but IMO he is chasing pretty close.

The first qualification to beat him is you have to be able to take a punch, I mean really take a punch.

Mickey Walker. He might be able to stand up to it and reach that chin. He had a great lefhook that was not telegraphed at all and he was superbly tough and rugged. Hearns might be unable to overwhelm him deja vu Duran, and trying could get him in trouble. A crowded Hearns is a handicapped Hearns.

Hearns didn't really have a weak chin. It was just average for a world class fighter imo. He was only ever stopped by good punchers.

[billeau2]

Hearns didn't really have a weak chin. It was just average for a world class fighter imo. He was only ever stopped by good punchers.

Good point.

interesting aside about Hearns: If one has ever fought against "rangy" stringbeans in the ring.....they are nightmare! I speak as one who fought in full contact karate, but guys with Hearn's build are so explosive and always it seems suprisingly strong. Its a diffrent kind of speed, very hard to guage. The explosive quality of rangy, snapping techniques is that it makes one very timid in countering.

I think what makes hearns so good is that because this quality is already so hard to counter...and then you throw in the jab which attacks at a distance, well....how many legitimate opportunities will one even have to test that chin?

[sonnyboyx2]

How does he rank? the majority of his wins at this weight were by utter domination, before Hagler took something out of Hearns with his devastating knockout in the 3rd round, How does Hearns stack up at 154?

I'm trying to think of anyone at 154 that made any noise that Hearns couldn't beat. He brought up a lot of speed from WW, a ton of power and skill as well. He wasn't quite as hittable yet because he still had a lot of speed.

Considering Hearns size and age, by the time he made a move to 154 from 147 he actually probably felt stronger.

I'm also looking at the current lineup of 154 lb fighters we have today, Kirkland, Angulo, Lara and Canelo..they all seem like easy knockouts for this version of Hearns.

Thomas Hearns was the Greatest 154lb fighter who ever lived (IBHOF)

[Ray Corso]

From 147 to 160 Sugar Ray Robinson is the best. He defeated LaMotta weighing 145 with Jake at 158.
His time at middleweight was a little over 14 years but the last 5 were without his prime conditioning that always out lasted his opponents condition.
At 154 Robinson could have campaigned there for 10 years easily.
Tommy would not be able to over come Robinsons talents and what Leonard accomplished late in their fight I see happening early. Tommy always has his shot but not getting to Leonard in their prime offords me to think he can't get to
Sugar. Sugar is bigger, stronger and vastly more experienced than Leonard.
I do like Tommy at 154 fighting the likes of Benitez, Duran, Camacho, Leonard
Moore etc..... I think he was healthier there than at 147!!
Ray