What if Duran vs Hearns 2 in 1989

[elmersalsa]

Also let's not forget that Duran's win over Barkley was a dodgy decision, Duran was hugely popular as he got older, remember how the judges were only two rounds from giving him the decision over Marvin Hagler.

Duran won fair and square. But I believe if there were a rematch, Barkley wins. If they'd fought 10 times, Barkley will win most of the time. That Duran win against Barkley was a great win, but also a MIRACLE.

[TommyThomas3]

Either Hearns KO's Duran early, Duran weathers the storm and TKO's him, or both would weather storms (Duran survives early, Hearns survives a beating in the late rounds) for a decision that could go either way in a classic.

[Seamus]

Duran turned in some amazing performances above LW, but nearly every time he did, he had to land a high volume of punches. I just can't see him landing consistently enough against the Hitman, and since he didn't carry one punch knockout power at this weight, I can't imagine a scenario where he could pull it off.

[stevedoc]

Also let's not forget that Duran's win over Barkley was a dodgy decision, Duran was hugely popular as he got older, remember how the judges were only two rounds from giving him the decision over Marvin Hagler.

Duran won fair and square. But I believe if there were a rematch, Barkley wins. If they'd fought 10 times, Barkley will win most of the time. That Duran win against Barkley was a great win, but also a MIRACLE.

i remember scoring the fight and duran won the fight not a land slide but he won the fight and i broke my sofa jumping up when duran decked barkley

[Hairy Arse]

If Hearns would not had lose against Barckley he would had defended his title against Duran. Can the Duran that beat Barckley could had beat Hearns. I heard that against Leonard in the second fight he lost in 2 months 30 pounds and Leonard knew it i know now why the no mas fight, Against Hearns he lost 40 pounds in 2 months Nothing taking away from Leonard and Hearns But in those2 fights was not the real Duran.

Duran wasn't in shape or motivated to fight Leonard or Hearns, but when it came time to dealing with a shopworn, irrelevant Cuevas or thumbing Davey Moore in the eye, there was no one more determined or well prepared.

At 154lbs, Hearns legs were more sturdy. He was stronger and hit harder at 154lbs than at 147.

Those are facts sir.

No, it's just useless conjecture. Hearns never fought anyone at 154 that was capable of testing these new and improved sturdy legs. McCallum most likely would have, but Tommy didn't want anything to do with him.



Interesting you mention him punching harder at 154, because many thought he wasn't the same puncher up until the Duran fight. He was injuring his right hand a fair bit around this period and wasn't blasting guys out anymore.

[elmersalsa]

The great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns was a MONSTER at 154lbs. Nobody at the time that he was in, Benitez, Duran nor Leonard could have hang with him.

Hearns had trouble with hands at the beginning, but that was over when DECAPITATED Duran and DESTROYED Fred Hutchings. He did not fight a lot at 154lbs, but what he did at that weight class was ENOUGH.

[Ambling Alp II]

Actually Benitez did fight Hearns at 154 and gave him a competitive fight. He "hanged" with him.

[Seamus]

Luigi Minchillo, who was no Sugar Ray Leonard, went the distance with him as well.

[Hairy Arse]

The great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns was a MONSTER at 154lbs. Nobody at the time that he was in, Benitez, Duran nor Leonard could have hang with him.

Hearns had trouble with hands at the beginning, but that was over when DECAPITATED Duran and DESTROYED Fred Hutchings. He did not fight a lot at 154lbs, but what he did at that weight class was ENOUGH.

More useless conjecture. His one and only emphatic performance over a top level fighter was Duran, who was older, heavier and slower fighter at 33. Nice win and a great performance, but you're utterly deluded if you think that warrants some invincible tag.


And like I said, McCallum was a viable opponent, the next best fighter in the division - and Tommy didn't fight him.

[gilgamesh]

I think Hearns would've won again by KO inside the first 5 rounds. Might've had a slightly harder time than their 1st fight, but it would've ended the same.

[yancey]

I'm in the camp that sees this as just a bad stylistic match-up for Roberto. (similar to Frazier-Foreman)

Roberto has to get inside that punching radius of Hitman and that is a hell of a mine field to walk through.

Maybe he could have done it, but I give him considerably less than a 5 in 10 chance.

[elmersalsa]

Actually Benitez did fight Hearns at 154 and gave him a competitive fight. He "hanged" with him.

Hearns broke his hand...Remember? And even at that, Hearns won COMFORTABLY by decision.

[elmersalsa]

The great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns was a MONSTER at 154lbs. Nobody at the time that he was in, Benitez, Duran nor Leonard could have hang with him.

Hearns had trouble with hands at the beginning, but that was over when DECAPITATED Duran and DESTROYED Fred Hutchings. He did not fight a lot at 154lbs, but what he did at that weight class was ENOUGH.

More useless conjecture. His one and only emphatic performance over a top level fighter was Duran, who was older, heavier and slower fighter at 33. Nice win and a great performance, but you're utterly deluded if you think that warrants some invincible tag.


And like I said, McCallum was a viable opponent, the next best fighter in the division - and Tommy didn't fight him.

I have never said that Hearns was invincible at 154lbs. I said at 154lbs, he was a MONSTER. Of all the fighters that could have beaten him at that weight class would be the great Mike McCallum and I have said that many, many times. I do not see another 154 pounder other than McCallum to beat him. And even at that, I would be VERY CAREFUL to bet on McCallum.

McCallum and Hearns were from the Kronk stable before McCallum joined the Lou Duva camp. That is why they never fought.