Hearns was a very good boxer but relied on his height and reach - not on technique and defensive guile and versatile countering. Who did Hearns outbox who was the same size as him? Herol outboxed many men his size and taller with longer reach. That is the sign of a master boxer.[/quote]palooka wrote:I'm not sure what you're smoking; I'm Herol's biggest fan, and I have a minority opinion that hours skills belong in the same bracket as Hearns, but a BETTER boxer he was not. Also, who did Jackson ever outbox? Thomas Tate? Hearns, as had been mentioned, outboxed Leonard. Jackson was clumsy, with limited skills.
Hearns boxing skills were impeccable. Footwork, jab, reflexes, he had it all. Jackson had power. B level vs Elite level fighter IMO. Jackson's highlight reel looks good, but those guys he beat were not of the level of the guys Tommy beat.[/quote]
Hey tom
I agree he didn't have the size Tommy did, however Hearns went up through the weights and fought much better comp than did Herol often out boxing or out punching bigger men. I think Graham was good but not great. I rate hearts as great. I think Tommy would have outboxed Graham too, then stopped him mid rounds. His jab and movement was incredible when he wasn't getting into wars