Thomas Hearns vs Pernell Whitaker @ welterweight

[SUGARRAYSMELEE]

Is this a bridge too far for Pernell?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

You couldn't pick a worse opponent for Whitaker. Hearns by wide decision, 10-2ish. Pea would always try to win, so he might get face planted.

[gilgamesh]

I agree with Saad here, either Hearns by lopsided decision or knockout late due to Whitaker trying to pull it out.

[kwillymac]

I believe Hearns would win pretty easily. The reach advantage is big. Also Whitaker could get caught. Hearns was very fast at Welterweight.

[Crease]

What a great fight!!!

But Hearns wins.

[Goodnight, Irene]

What a great fight!!!

But Hearns wins.

It is nothing of the sort. Who the hell picked Whitaker in the poll? There is no greater Sweet Pea fan here (I know of) than myself, but Jesus, it gets no worse than this within a division Whitaker actually competed at. Whitaker is the greater fighter pound-for-pound, but that's absolutely as far as it goes. Hearns, one way or another, wins this going away.

This fight is BS, man :(

[crusader]

Whitaker is the greater fighter p4p? I don't know if I agree with that, although I think it is a close call. I believe Whitaker is a little overrated on here.

Hearns would win a wide decision in this one.

[I Feel Fine]

If Hearns could out box Benitez he could out box Whitaker. He out boxed Leonard too, for that matter, but Ray had the guns that Sweet-Pea didn't have.

No insult to Whitaker to say that Hearns beats him here; I would pick Hearns to beat Mayweather or Pacquiao or pretty much any Welterweight of the post-Leonard-Hearns era.

[Diamond WEAPON]

[BoxBuzz]

I"d say pound for pound it's Whitaker. But Hearns is naturally bigger, to the point that it's not really a sensible match up.

This would be Whitaker's heaviest and Hearns lightest division right?

[I Feel Fine]

Well Whitaker won the belt at 154 too. I'm not sure who I would rate higher pound for pound, maybe Whitaker by a hair.

[Diamond WEAPON]

I"d say pound for pound it's Whitaker. But Hearns is naturally bigger, to the point that it's not really a sensible match up.

This would be Whitaker's heaviest and Hearns lightest division right?

Whitaker had one bout at 154

[Crease]

It is nothing of the sort. Who the hell picked Whitaker in the poll? There is no greater Sweet Pea fan here (I know of) than myself, but Jesus, it gets no worse than this within a division Whitaker actually competed at. Whitaker is the greater fighter pound-for-pound, but that's absolutely as far as it goes. Hearns, one way or another, wins this going away.

This fight is BS, man :(

Perhaps I have choosen my words poorly and you have misunderstood me, sir. I would expect Hearns to win this fight comofrtably, I wouldn't be surprised if "The Hitman" stopped him.

But, in reagrds to seeing great fighters facing off in the ring, personally I think they are great spectacles.

Hell, I even enjoyed the Hatton/Pacquaio for as long as it lasted.
And I'm a Hatton fan.

[Syntax Error]

IMHO, a welterweight that has risen up from lower weights would stand little chance against Tommy Hearns.

The only weltwerweights that could hang in there are the big ones that started out at the weight, ie, the 2 Sugar Rays etc.

I'd even worry about Henry Armstrong up against Tommy & I think Henry's the greatest fighter ever.

[Diamond WEAPON]

IMHO, a welterweight that has risen up from lower weights would stand little chance against Tommy Hearns.

The only weltwerweights that could hang in there are the big ones that started out at the weight, ie, the 2 Sugar Rays etc.

I'd even worry about Henry Armstrong up against Tommy & I think Henry's the greatest fighter ever.

Oh my God. Armstrong would be in major trouble against Tommy.

I agree about Hearns. He was just such a physical enigma at WW with ridiculous speed and power that it's hard to favor many WWs over him, most of them simply would be outmatched physically. You really have to go to 154 or 160 to find more than a couple of guys who could match him in that regard and have the firepower necessary to hold him off from just vaporizing them with the right cross within the first few rounds.

[Ambling Alp]

Besides the loss to Leonard, his only other competitive fight at 147 or 154 was against Benitez. he rolled over Cuevas, Duran and just about everyone else.
How much trouble Whitaker would cause him is hard to say. It might be close for a few rounds but eventually Hearns should be able to take over.
Maybe Hearns would be too much trouble for Armstrong. Obviously he would have significant height, reach advantages.

On the flip side, Hearns could be in major trouble against Armstrong. Hearns might not be able to handle a guy who threw that many punches and had some power.

[jezzamundo]

IMHO, a welterweight that has risen up from lower weights would stand little chance against Tommy Hearns.

The only weltwerweights that could hang in there are the big ones that started out at the weight, ie, the 2 Sugar Rays etc.

I'd even worry about Henry Armstrong up against Tommy & I think Henry's the greatest fighter ever.

Leonard started at 140lb, Robinson at 135lb. But I agree with the sentiment - both were natural welterweights from early in their careers, which was necessary to stand a chance against Hearns - the guy was skilled, quick and very powerful for a 147-154lb fighter, his power even carried OK to Cruiserweight.

[IRLangmaid25]

I have got this one down as a knockout for the Hitman. Whittaker will spent most of the fight running and pot shotting but sooner or later Hearns will back him up and knock him out.

[Syntax Error]

I'm just wondering whether Pernell Whittaker posts on this forum, because he's got one vote!

[Evander]

If Whitaker came in at mid 140's against Chavez and performed like that I'd likely favor him to beat Hearns,ok there is a couple of pounds there but I didn't feel this to be a particularly hard call.

[Aftermath]

Thomas Hearns

[hurlock]

whittaker was slippery but hearns had too much range & power & size & speed.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Whitaker has two votes (& neither from me)!

Woot, woot!

[Idisagree]

I don’t see any sensible possibility for Pernell to win this fight

What I would like to know is who voted for Sweet Pea?