BoxRec

Mike "The Body Snatcher" McCallum or Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns?

Who was the greatest super welterweight/jr middleweight of all-time and why?

Both were trained at Kronk Gym at one point. McCallum always says that The 4 Kings of Boxing ducked him and didn't want anything to do with him.

Your thoughts.

Hearns for me-his win over Benitez is better than anything Mike did at the weight.

Mayweather won De La Hoya, Cotto, Canelo and Maidana at that weight. This probably tops McCallum's stuff. Yet Hearns also has a solid claim with winning Benitez and Duran. All of them had their wins over some past-prime opponents.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑13 Apr 2023, 18:11 Both were trained at Kronk Gym at one point. McCallum always says that The 4 Kings of Boxing ducked him and didn't want anything to do with him.

As much as he says it, it remains untrue.

Jaywheel wrote: ↑14 Apr 2023, 10:18

elmersalsa wrote: ↑13 Apr 2023, 18:11 Both were trained at Kronk Gym at one point. McCallum always says that The 4 Kings of Boxing ducked him and didn't want anything to do with him.

As much as he says it, it remains untrue.

He said it. Go to YouTube

Not disputing he said it, they didn't duck him. Ok, maybe Duran.

The Mayweather-Maidana bouts were not at 154 pounds.

I'd have to go with Hearns.

Seems like someone could've surpassed his achievements at the weight, but really most people never stick to this weight class particularly long.

I would lean towards Hearns as well. McCallum is a solid #2. Big drop off after that.
It would have been interesting if there would have always been a Jr. Middleweight division. Sugar Ray Robinson would have been the best. Emile Griffith would have been up there as well.

Jaywheel wrote: ↑14 Apr 2023, 13:41 Not disputing he said it, they didn't duck him. Ok, maybe Duran.

And why only Duran? When Mike said that Marvelous was in the program, too. Mike also told Manny Steward, "Give me Tommy!" Steward's reply according to Mike was that Steward gave him a pic of Tommy.

And with Leonard, Mike said that he told him right on his face "I beat your brother Roger. Let's fight!" Leonard looked the other way according to Mike.

I think Mike stops Hearns late if it's 15 rounds.

Ezzard wrote: ↑16 Apr 2023, 01:59 I think Mike stops Hearns late if it's 15 rounds.

I believe so, too. I think that Mike and the great Sugar Ray Robinson are the only guys that beat the great Thomas Hearns at 154lbs. Any other boxer at 154lbs, gets crushed by the Hitman.