Mike McCallum v Tommy Hearns

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 29 Sep 2005, 15:21

I think Mike's style is just too much for Tommy. Mike has the chin and the defence to see him through the early rounds and the body punches and power to catch up with Tommy before the 15th.

Any thoughts?

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » 29 Sep 2005, 16:09

McCallum would get schooled from the outside.It's possible he could stop Tommy but if he doesn't he's going to lose widely.

Hearns huge advantage in handspeed just too much IMO.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 29 Sep 2005, 16:13

Great match up!. I can see this going both ways. If Hearns was in boxing mode I think he had the speed to outbox Mccallum. Kalambay showed that the way to beat Mike was to out box him. If Hearns traded with Mccallum then I see the bodysnatcher winning.
The question is whether Hearns could have withstood Mccallums body attack even if he was in boxing mode...... I think I'd have to edge towards a Hearns win on points. But this could really go either way!. 8)

Nile4000 · Post by **Nile4000** » 29 Sep 2005, 16:42

Tommy in a very close unanimous fifteen round decision, which would be based on his ability to box and keep McCallum at a distance.

tiredoldngrey · Post by **tiredoldngrey** » 30 Sep 2005, 03:30

McCallum beats Hearns. Tommy's best bet would be to come out fast and try to catch McCallum cold with a right but that isn't likely to happen. Mike was a sound defensive fighter and he countered well so Tommy's best chance could also end up being the shortest trip home.
But trying to box...Tommy could move around and have some success with the jab but McCallum isn't Virgil Hill; he was a very good fighter from the outside himself and was unique in how well he hit thew body from a distance. At some point it is inevitable that he would score a punch to the head or to the body that would affect Hearns and the fight would essentially end right then, even if it went on several rounds thereafter.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 30 Sep 2005, 05:17

I think over 12 Tommy can hold in there but over 15 Mike catches up with him.

I read that McCallum always gave Tommy a headache in the early Kronk days and so he never wanted to fight him. Of course not sure of it's true.

I think Mike could have made a number of top matchups with Hagler and Leonard too. I also think heshould have got at least oen decision in the Toney series.

theone · Post by **theone** » 30 Sep 2005, 09:41

Prime Tommy Hearns, before he fough Haglar had the ability to out box MaCullem from the outside, and the power to keep him there. Whether 12 or 15 rounds McCallum wouldnt be able to reach Tommy's body often enough to do any real damage.

I also think heshould have got at least oen decision in the Toney series.

Really? I thought he clearly lost all three fights, and recieved a gift draw in the first one.

dalek · Post by **dalek** » 30 Sep 2005, 09:51

i thought mccallum clearly outscored toney in their second fight.i thought he edged the first as well,as did a lot of europeans.many a fight in the states is scored very differently to how we see it over here.examples mosely-delahoya,delahoya-trinidad,delahoya-whittaker,whittaker-chavez,holyfield-lewis 1 and 2.delahoya-sturm.
i think mccallum has an excellent shot at winning this.i think he takes a sd over 12,or a clearer ud over 15.

Ambling Alp · Post by **Ambling Alp** » 30 Sep 2005, 10:28

This would be a battle of the two best Jr Middleweights ever. There would probably be some tense moments for Hearns, but he should be able to outbox McCallum and win a decision.

meade95 · Post by **meade95** » 02 Oct 2005, 14:05

Absolutely great match-up at JMW (only fight possibly better/more exciting would have been Julian Jackson Vs Hearns at JMW) -

As for this fight - a true "pick'em" - Hearns has the skills to probably pull out a close UNI DEC -

But McCallum could also grind out a close split Dec as well (especially over 15 rounds) - Over 12 Hearns might be the favorite via a Dec -

As for scoring a knockout - Hearns would probably have to get his "early" - 1-4 rounds - (but I don't see that happening with McCallum beard)

McCallum would also be in a position to TKO Tommy over the full 12 rounds -

Again a true "pick'em" in my mind -