Kid Gavilan v Thomas Hearns

[Stevie G]

The Cuban Hawk v the Detroit Hitman. This one would have indeed been a classic,imo. I've a sneaking feeling that it would be extremely close with Hearns learning early not to mix it too much with the durable Gavilan,boxing at long range as much as he could,and winning by clear but hard earned decision.

[PowerPuncher]

Hearns would win he'd outscore Galivan with his better better jab and his speed would see him beating Galivan to the punch regularly. Hearns power may also make Galivan very defensive, I'm not sure if this would pan out as a boxing match or Hearns hunting his man down, but if any man could stop Galivan at 147 it would be Hearns

[turpinr]

hearns would have to out box the hawk.he's not knocking him out

[PowerPuncher]

hearns would have to out box the hawk.he's not knocking him out

If Hearns-Duran never happened you'd say the same thing about Duran ;)

[turpinr]

If Hearns-Duran never happened you'd say the same thing about Duran ;):goodyou are probably right.
i remember being made up when tommy ko'd duran:yep

[Ezzard]

Hearns either hangs on for a close decision or Gavilan comes on late to stop him.

No problems for Gavilan in going the distance. A better welter than Benitez who extended Hearns and Leonard.

This is a 50-50 fight.

[WhataRock]

Id go with Hearns to take out a hard earned decision..I think he would take it by 3-4 points.

[Flea Man]

Gavilan late stoppage.

[sweet_scientist]

I used to think Tommy, but now I don't know.

Gavilan didn't hit like Leonard, so if he's going to get Tommy out of there, he'll have to push a more hectic pace than Leonard was able to in order to land more and break Hearns down.

Will he be able to do it? I say he's got a good chance. I'm with Ezzard this is a a 50/50 fight for me.

[ricardoparker93]

A great match up but I lean towards Hearns. Whilst the Kid is big and durable he doesn't have the punch that is needed to exploit Hearns' weakness fully. So whilst I dont see Hearns getting him out of there i'd lean towards his jab earning him a decision by about 3 points.

[Flea Man]

Gavilan can punch hard enough

[ricardoparker93]

Gavilan can punch hard enough

Why does everyone assume that Hearns chin was china.. he got knocked out by Leonard when he was way up on the cards and overtrained. Gavilan doesnt punch as hard as Leonard, nowhere near!

[WhataRock]

Thats not really the point Ricardo...Gavlian had the kind of punch that chipped away at you which is the kind of punch that is needed in this one. I dont think there is a welterweight I would pick to blow out Hearns..his chin was sturdy enough and he was to quick and physically dominant.
But the kind of fight that Gavlian fights is essentially a more consistent and direct version of what Leonard used to eventually beat Tommy. He would be working from the start to wear Tommy down, not hoping he lands a showstopper out of left field.

I think it was as much his durability as the accumulative power of shots..Guys seem to wear themselves out on him because he made them work so hard for their rounds.

[ricardoparker93]

Thats not really the point Ricardo...Gavlian had the kind of punch that chipped away at you which is the kind of punch that is needed in this one. I dont think there is a welterweight I would pick to blow out Hearns..his chin was sturdy enough and he was to quick and physically dominant.
But the kind of fight that Gavlian fights is essentially a more consistent and direct version of what Leonard used to eventually beat Tommy. He would be working from the start to wear Tommy down, not hoping he lands a showstopper out of left field.

I think it was as much his durability as the accumulative power of shots..Guys seem to wear themselves out on him because he made them work so hard for their rounds.

He usually had a physical advantage over his opponents though, much as Hearns enjoyed and guys would have to come forward to win their rounds. If the pace slows then Hearns has the advantage I feel, I think that Gavilan can outpoint Hearns. But I think that it takes real power, which Hagler, Barkley and Leonard all had, to knock him out.

[Mr Butt]

hearns ud , hitman boxes early and makes it down the stretch with both fighters hhurt along the way if not down at some point

[McGrain]

I used to think Tommy, but now I don't know.

:yep