BoxRec

For the big bout with Leonard in 1981 Hearns weighed 145 pounds, not 147 as he could have. His Trainer Emauneul Steward stated this was a solid reason for the loss by KO. Does anyone remember him stating this? Was Hearns playing softball before the bout and this made him a bit lighter. Anyone remember this being stated by Steward?

Yes. I have read it in a number of books and accounts. Steward could not stop Hearns training for the fight. Tommy would do press-ups when he was supposed to be resting. He was obsessed. He quite possibly over-trained.

Having said that... Hearns would go on to show a similar achilles heel in other fights.

The question that is fun to speculate on is whether Hearns could have won if not over-trained? Could he have managed another 3 minutes without hitting the canvas?

We will never know. But it's the sort of thing boxing fans love to discuss.

I thought he was playing softball when he was not supposed to be and was suppose to be simply resting.........

Ray was just too much for Tommy in this particular time frame.

And it was apparently a leg massage v Hagler. He just didn't quite have enough down the stretch, simple as that.

He was terrific for 12 rounds, who's to say if he hadn't trained so hard then he might not have been able to perform so well, we'll never know.

I believe Mr Stewart. I think Hearns over trained, but would have lost anyway.

Thomas Hearns' legs BETRAYED HIM in his first fight with the great Sugar Ray Leonard. He couldn't keep the fast pace in a long fight. He was too frailed for 147lbs.

A great win for Sugar Ray nevertheless.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 10:45 Thomas Hearns' legs BETRAYED HIM in his first fight with the great Sugar Ray Leonard. He couldn't keep the fast pace in a long fight. He was too frailed for 147lbs.

A great win for Sugar Ray nevertheless.

Or maybe he was just fighting one of the best boxers in the history of the sport.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 13:03

elmersalsa wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 10:45 Thomas Hearns' legs BETRAYED HIM in his first fight with the great Sugar Ray Leonard. He couldn't keep the fast pace in a long fight. He was too frailed for 147lbs.

A great win for Sugar Ray nevertheless.

Or maybe he was just fighting one of the best boxers in the history of the sport.

That, too. But, he was outboxing Leonard. If the fight was at 154lbs or higher, there's no way that Tommy would have gotten knocked out. His legs would have been stronger and sturdier.

Leonard beats Hearns at 147 and below
Hearns beats Leonard at 154 and higher

elmersalsa wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 12:06

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 13:03

elmersalsa wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 10:45 Thomas Hearns' legs BETRAYED HIM in his first fight with the great Sugar Ray Leonard. He couldn't keep the fast pace in a long fight. He was too frailed for 147lbs.

A great win for Sugar Ray nevertheless.

Or maybe he was just fighting one of the best boxers in the history of the sport.

That, too. But, he was outboxing Leonard. If the fight was at 154lbs or higher, there's no way that Tommy would have gotten knocked out. His legs would have been stronger and sturdier.

Leonard beats Hearns at 147 and below
Hearns beats Leonard at 154 and higher

You're right. Hearns was amazing at 154, I mean, look at what he did to Duran,

Not sure weight makes as much difference as duration. I like Tommy over 12 rounds. And Ray over 15.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 12:58

elmersalsa wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 12:06

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 13:03

Or maybe he was just fighting one of the best boxers in the history of the sport.

That, too. But, he was outboxing Leonard. If the fight was at 154lbs or higher, there's no way that Tommy would have gotten knocked out. His legs would have been stronger and sturdier.

Leonard beats Hearns at 147 and below
Hearns beats Leonard at 154 and higher

You're right. Hearns was amazing at 154, I mean, look at what he did to Duran,

It was a vicious knockout. One of the greatest knockouts of all-time. Thomas Hearns at 154lbs was invincible.

Maybe Mike McCallum could take him. I would have pick McCalllum in an unification title bout, though.

Ezzard wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 13:07 Not sure weight makes as much difference as duration. I like Tommy over 12 rounds. And Ray over 15.

Yes, it makes a big difference. Thomas Hearns was stronger over 147lbs. His legs were sturdier and stronger at 154 and above.