Thomas Hearns vs. Paul Williams

[AndreWardFan2006]

At 147...who takes the cake here? Williams has a 3 inch reach advantage and throws more punches in bunches. He fought Margarito who has the ability to drop people the same way Hearns did. I bet Williams would win by split decision

[Collins2000]

At 147...who takes the cake here? Williams has a 3 inch reach advantage and throws more punches in bunches. He fought Margarito who has the ability to drop people the same way Hearns did. I bet Williams would win by split decision

Hahahahaha, hilarious.

[HomicideHenry]

Hearns smashes Williams inside of six rounds.

[AndreWardFan2006]

Williams crushes Hearns inside 4

[ringsider]

The motor city cobra.........

[dempseyfire]

To compare Margarito to Hearns as a puncher is completly laughable.

Hearns wins by knockout.

[p4p1]

To compare Margarito to Hearns as a puncher is completly laughable.

Hearns wins by knockout.

[jezzamundo]

This is actually a very interesting matchup. Hearns and Williams are very similar physically and both have great speed and punch output. Interestingly, Hearns's greatest weaknesses were his stamina and chin, and Williams has both a very good chin and very good stamina.

However, Hearns has to go in as a big favourite, as he had much more power than anyone Williams has faced, and Williams's defense is not good. Hearns also has the better boxing skills, he would land several bombs on Williams and stop him in the first half of the fight.

[dajuggernaut]

Hearns KO 4.

[AndreWardFan2006]

This is actually a very interesting matchup. Hearns and Williams are very similar physically and both have great speed and punch output. Interestingly, Hearns's greatest weaknesses were his stamina and chin, and Williams has both a very good chin and very good stamina.

However, Hearns has to go in as a big favourite, as he had much more power than anyone Williams has faced, and Williams's defense is not good. Hearns also has the better boxing skills, he would land several bombs on Williams and stop him in the first half of the fight.

My exact thought...up until Hearns landing the bombs to stop Williams. At worst, Williams would lose a close decision, but to see him get knocked out by the shorter guy, at least so far in Williams' career..is had to say

[Datsue]

At worst, Williams would lose a close decision, but to see him get knocked out by the shorter guy, at least so far in Williams' career..is had to say

No offence but have you seen both these guys fight?

Fred Hutchings, about six-three, lasted three rounds with the Hitman at eleven stone. Now, Williams is no Hutchings, but FFS neither is he a Tommy Hearns.

For reference, here is that fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpmJiRaXnIY

[Tantum]

Williams crushes Hearns inside 4

When he gets knocked out and falls forward on top of Hearns?

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

At 147...who takes the cake here? Williams has a 3 inch reach advantage and throws more punches in bunches. He fought Margarito who has the ability to drop people the same way Hearns did. I bet Williams would win by split decision

- Conventional ninnies always confuse the legend of a fighter with invincibility against non legends.

99.9999% of fighters get beat at least once, if not at least 3-4x and often by lesser fighters. Those who make their livings on betting fights, know that styles, natural attributes, and timing make most fight results, not legend.

Williams has as good a natural attributes any anyone in history. Hearns would be in the rare position of being the smaller man by a good 2 ", thus losing a major advantage he always held. He's not as durable as Williams has shown, never having even been dented, much less hurt in the ring. I would not say Hearns has more natural power, what he has is better technique and application. Williams desperately needs a better trainer as his potential is off the charts.

Who wins is likely determined what game plan Williams shows up with. As a natural, he whoops Hearns hands down. Hearns was very well trained and developed at 147-154 which would be today's welt division, so I might favor Hearns slightly to box and move for a points decision. If he tries to trade with Williams, I could see Williams catching a tiring Hearns who could easily break his hand. I could also see Williams imposing size and strength on Hearns to wear him down from the start with a good boxing plan.

Be a really fun fight starting with the stare down as Hitman tries to intimidate the affable, implacable Williams.

[ringsider]

You guys are William's nut huggers.....he got beat by Quintana for christ sakes and he is going to beat Hearns?

[elmersalsa]

I could not see a poor quality fighter beat a legend like Thomas Hearns...This fight would be worst at 154 lbs. Hearns by KO no matter what round.

[jezzamundo]

I thought both Hearns and Williams are 6'1?

Having seen both, I agree that Williams looks the taller, but they are both HUGE welterweights.

[gambler49]

Hearns by KO

[alexpaterson]

Hearns smashes Williams inside of six rounds.

I agree with you Hearns far to big a puncher

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

I thought both Hearns and Williams are 6'1?

Having seen both, I agree that Williams looks the taller, but they are both HUGE welterweights.

- Williams is 6-3 easily. It's all smoke and mirrors as they lop off vital stats to make him appear less intimidating since most are averse to risking a fight with him.

As far as Hearns KOing Williams, well, Williams has never even stumbled much less been hurt in the ring. He would be a natural 154-160 lber in Hearns day, not Hearn's best weight. Hearns had a sub .500% KO ration in fights between 154-160. Both his losses 160 where he never sees the end of the 3rd rd.

Like I mentioned, too many bandwagon fanboys confusing the legend of a fighter with real blood, sweat and natural attributes in a ring face off. This is a highly competitive matchup and dismissing Williams out of hand is as silly as dismissing Hearns as glass jawed.

[BoxBuzz]

This could be very unpredictable, This might be an absolute cracker of fight, some real surprises probably in store for the crowd.

IF: Williams (due to a severe injury) was replaced at the last few moments before the fight by TBA,

[Grimm]

Interesting takes, I'd say it's too early to determine the status of Williams standings in history and how he'd fare with a great like Hearns.

[dempseyfire]

Interesting takes, I'd say it's too early to determine the status of Williams standings in history and how he'd fare with a great like Hearns.

I think the first Carlos Quintana fight already put Williams a level below that of Hearns . . .

[Seamus]

Going into the 14th round, Tommy Hearns led a prime Sugar Ray Leonard on all 3 cards. NUFF said.

[Grimm]

Interesting takes, I'd say it's too early to determine the status of Williams standings in history and how he'd fare with a great like Hearns.

I think the first Carlos Quintana fight already put Williams a level below that of Hearns . . .

Every fighter has his off nights.

He proved himself with the rematch.

[Goodnight, Irene]

"Every fighter has his off nights.

He proved himself with the rematch." - Grimm

Yes, I think that's a fair statement. Still, Williams is going to have to do a lot more in his career before this match-up secures validity...