Welterweights: Roberto Duran vs Thomas Hearns in 1980

[elmersalsa]

What if the great Roberto Duran that faced the great Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal fights the great Thomas Hearns that sensationally destroyed Pipino Cuevas in 2 rounds clash for the Welterweight unification showdown? Who wins?

[goose 5]

Duran wins. It wont be easy but he stops him late.

[oogiebe]

Tommy gets the same result. Styles.

[Woldemar]

Hearns by KO 6

[DrDuke]

Duran by KO after Hearns establishing the lead on the scorecards.

[elmersalsa]

In my view, that Duran that fought Leonard in Montreal was very difficult to be beaten. He was on point in all cylinders. Difficult to hit cleanly and was on fire, like a demon possessed, just like when he fought Ken Buchanan for the lightweight crown but much better and with much more experience. At Welterweight is a fairer fight than at 154lbs and beyond. Duran by knockout in between 8 and 10 rounds.

[Ambling Alp II]

Hearns KO2. We have already seen this movie.

[elmersalsa]

Hearns KO2. We have already seen this movie.

Yes. That was at 154lbs and in 1984, not 1980.

[oogiebe]

Hearns KO2. We have already seen this movie.

Yes. That was at 154lbs and in 1984, not 1980.

Doesn't matter. I love Duran, but Tommy is all wrong for him. Even at 154.

[elmersalsa]

Yes. That was at 154lbs and in 1984, not 1980.

Doesn't matter. I love Duran, but Tommy is all wrong for him. Even at 154.

At 147lbs, I pick Duran, especially the one in Montreal. At 154lbs and beyond, I will pick The Hitman.

[oogiebe]

Doesn't matter. I love Duran, but Tommy is all wrong for him. Even at 154.

At 147lbs, I pick Duran, especially the one in Montreal. At 154lbs and beyond, I will pick The Hitman.

Um, you just moved the goal post by 7 pounds.

[elmersalsa]

At 147lbs, I pick Duran, especially the one in Montreal. At 154lbs and beyond, I will pick The Hitman.

Um, you just moved the goal post by 7 pounds.

I don't see anyone beating The Motor City Cobra at 154lbs. Maybe the greats Sugar Ray Robinson and Mike McCallum, but that's it. Hearns was ridiculously great at 154lbs. I just wished if he would have made that title unification with The Body Snatcher.

[Nile4000]

Tommy gets the same result. Styles.

Concur.

[AntonioMartin]

Hearns KO2. We have already seen this movie.

Yes. That was at 154lbs and in 1984, not 1980.

+ Duran had to lose about 50 pounds in three months for that.Not sure Hearns could win that easy against a well fed Duran..

[gilgamesh]

Would've been a better Duran, so he would've made a better fight of it, but the result would've ultimately been the same.

Let's say Hearns by KO 6 or so.

[zuru]

Duran was an elite.Great great fighter .He beat Leonard who beat Hearns.
BUT had Leonard boxed that fight and not tried to fight Duran,would Duran have still won?

And Hearns was a force like no other at 147.
He was unbelievable.
As much as I like Duran and his accomplishments,I can't see him beating that Hearns.

Hearns loss to Leonard I think is a testament to how good Leonard was.
I don't think Hearns scores a ko cause Duran was crafty and a different fighter than at 154.

But I do see all the freakishness that was Hearns scoring a tko maybe by the 7th maybe on cuts. After thoroughly outboxing Duran.

[goose 5]

Duran would win but it wouldn't be easy.

[elmersalsa]

Once DURAN is inside, forget it. HE blows HEARNS away around the 8th round at 147lbs.

HEARNS beats DURAN at 154lbs and beyond. Why? Sturdier legs for The Hitman, more powerful at that weight than at 147. DURAN AT 154 was slower. HE didn't had enough movement at that weight. HE was at his best at 154lbs and beyond IF, IF you fighting him inside like Davey Moore did.

[Ambling Alp II]

Dream on.

[elmersalsa]

Dream on.

HE whips him the same way he whupped your boy in Montreal. AT least Tommy ain't going to clutch and grab for survival.

[Onetimeonly]

Dream on.

HE whips him the same way he whupped your boy in Montreal. AT least Tommy ain't going to clutch and grab for survival.

Your senility is worsening.

[elmersalsa]

HE whips him the same way he whupped your boy in Montreal. AT least Tommy ain't going to clutch and grab for survival.

Your senility is worsening.

TOMMY is not going to clutch and grab for survival. That's what SUGAR Ray did all night in MONTREAL.

[Onetimeonly]

Your senility is worsening.

TOMMY is not going to clutch and grab for survival. That's what SUGAR Ray did all night in MONTREAL.

That was one of Leonard's most impressive performances. He got beat up, but he clearly won the last two rounds and went toe to toe the whole fight.

Tommy didn't know how to clinch. No real need for it when he can just face plant Duran.