Hearns - Calzaghe... who wins??

[SOMERSETDURAN]

Not sure if this has been covered before, and apologies for adding to the endless list of Calzaghe threads, but this match up intrigues me.

I'm talking about the 1989 Hearns who 'drew' with SRL against the 2006 Calzaghe who battered Lacey. Both would be early thirties, both apparently past their best according to the media, and both underdogs with the bookies, yet they both put in great performances (though I am not for one second suggesting that you can compare SRL and Lacey.....)

[drvooh]

Not sure if this has been covered before, and apologies for adding to the endless list of Calzaghe threads, but this match up intrigues me.

I'm talking about the 1989 Hearns who 'drew' with SRL against the 2006 Calzaghe who battered Lacey. Both would be early thirties, both apparently past their best according to the media, and both underdogs with the bookies, yet they both put in great performances (though I am not for one second suggesting that you can compare SRL and Lacey.....)
JOE

[brooklyn1550]

Calzaghe

[MasterCalzaghe]

Hearns was awesome but Joe is too slick for him I mean how many times do we have to see the man utterly nulify his foes offence before it sinks in?

[Paulie]

Bute...

[mstar]

joe c, too slick for tommy

[jecxbox]

calzaghe

[Rock0052]

I'm a big Hearns supporter (I thought he won the "draw" against SRL), but I think Tommy would be too stretched at the weight to beat Calzaghe. Joe UD.

[196osh]

Calzaghe UD. Hearns is not a SMW.

[joe the great]

No one has ever outboxed Hearns except Barkley. Hearns would be past his prime at 168, but he'd give Joe a great fight. Hearns also outpointed Hill at Light Heavy. I thought that fight could've went either way.
I don't know if Joe could knock out Hearns or not and I'm not sure he could outpoint him or not. I'd pick a draw.

[Amsterdam]

No one has ever outboxed Hearns except Barkley. Hearns would be past his prime at 168, but he'd give Joe a great fight. Hearns also outpointed Hill at Light Heavy. I thought that fight could've went either way.
I don't know if Joe could knock out Hearns or not and I'm not sure he could outpoint him or not. I'd pick a draw.

Calzaghe in his prime hit very hard, too awkward a style for Hearns as well.

He'd get him early like Hagler did at SMW, Hearns is not a SMW.

[Toopretty]

Calzaghe in his prime hit very hard, too awkward a style for Hearns as well.

He'd get him early like Hagler did at SMW, Hearns is not a SMW.No he didnt. Big ass lie by the clown posse. We have footage, he was the damned same just more aggressive back then. More speed.

[pryorgatti]

Hearns close UD

[joe the great]

Calzaghe in his prime hit very hard, too awkward a style for Hearns as well.

He'd get him early like Hagler did at SMW, Hearns is not a SMW. Yeah but he won title at Light Heavy Weight. He beat the guy considered the best at the time. Virgil Hill. You could be right because Hearns chin sometimes betrayed him like it did against Barkley and Hagler. I do think this is a tough one to call. Hearns did learn how to grab and hold when hurt.

[Robbi]

Calzaghe would win, probably via late stoppage. Hearns would be competitive, make no mistake about it. But was past his prime while competing at super-middleweight.


Hearns' long range boxing ability would keep him right in the fight.

[Toopretty]

Hearns style would be a nightmare for Calzaghe. Fast jabs that can be tripled up on with ease. A huge straight right hand that he is open for and gets hit with ALL THE TIME. Calzaghe gets put on queer street, Hearns opens up on him. Or calzaghe makes the fight physical and tries to rough Hearns up. The fight can go either way. Hearns would out box Calzaghe though.

[dangerousity]

No one has ever outboxed Hearns except Barkley. Hearns would be past his prime at 168, but he'd give Joe a great fight. Hearns also outpointed Hill at Light Heavy. I thought that fight could've went either way.
I don't know if Joe could knock out Hearns or not and I'm not sure he could outpoint him or not. I'd pick a draw.

Barkley outboxed Hearns? I had Hearns clearly winning before he got KTFO on the 1st fight. Never seen the second, I see it was at LHW though.

[joe the great]

Barkley outboxed Hearns? I had Hearns clearly winning before he got KTFO on the 1st fight. Never seen the second, I see it was at LHW though.
The rematch Barkley won a split decision.

[Sweet Pea]

No one has ever outboxed Hearns except Barkley. Hearns would be past his prime at 168, but he'd give Joe a great fight. Hearns also outpointed Hill at Light Heavy. I thought that fight could've went either way.
I don't know if Joe could knock out Hearns or not and I'm not sure he could outpoint him or not. I'd pick a draw.I don't recall Barkley outboxing Hearns. That's like saying Rocky Marciano outboxed Jersey Joe Walcott.

[Sweet Pea]

The rematch Barkley won a split decision.By roughing him up at a weight Hearns was not suited as well too. He fought him and banged him up on the inside, he didn't outbox him.

[kg0208]

Calzaghe because Hearns is not big enough. Not because of Calzaghe being to "slick". No one is too slick for Hearns, and no one will outbox him P4P.

[chimba]

This weight is stretching it for Hearns so Id say its a toss up....p4p Hearns by miles

[Addie]

shocked by everyone going for Calzaghe.

I think Hearns is hard a hitter.

[Sweet Pea]

shocked by everyone going for Calzaghe.

I think Hearns is hard a hitter.Hearns was also at his best at 147 and 154. Not nearly as good a hitter at the higher weights, nor was his punch resistance(which was not that good in the first place) as strong. Calzaghe has the perfect style to beat him at a higher weight, being the bigger man. I'd take Joe by stoppage.

[kg0208]

shocked by everyone going for Calzaghe.

I think Hearns is hard a hitter.

At 168, his power would be nothing compared to what it was at 147 and 154. He got beat by some decent but not great MW's.

[Robbi]

No one has ever outboxed Hearns except Barkley. Hearns would be past his prime at 168, but he'd give Joe a great fight. Hearns also outpointed Hill at Light Heavy. I thought that fight could've went either way.
I don't know if Joe could knock out Hearns or not and I'm not sure he could outpoint him or not. I'd pick a draw.

Outboxing someone?. Thats when a jab is used. People can have different interpretations of what a fighter has to do throughout the course of a fight or round for it to be classified as boxing.

However, nobody can claim a fighter throwing wild power punches from either hand for the vast majority of a fight, ala Mayorga, was boxing.

The best and most simple weapon for a fighter to box, the jab. A fighter throwing various combinations, especially flurries, would also be the ingredients to determine a boxing performance. But IMO the jab is a must for any boxer.

If you watch Hopkins against southpaws, he never boxes them. Well, he never uses the jab. Against Tarver and Wright he threw about half a dozen jabs over both fights. Against Tarver it was straight right hands, left hooks, body punches, and uppercuts. When he fought Wright it was mainly getting inside, working the body, then away again. Thats not boxing in my eyes, not pure boxing anyway.

[joe the great]

By roughing him up at a weight Hearns was not suited as well too. He fought him and banged him up on the inside, he didn't outbox him.
Call it what you want. Barkley did not wack Hearns out. He still won on points.:deal

[joe the great]

Outboxing someone?. Thats when a jab is used. People can have different interpretations of what a fighter has to do throughout the course of a fight or round for it to be classified as boxing.

However, nobody can claim a fighter throwing wild power punches from either hand for the vast majority of a fight, ala Mayorga, was boxing.

The best and most simple weapon for a fighter to box, the jab. A fighter throwing various combinations, especially flurries, would also be the ingredients to determine a boxing performance. But IMO the jab is a must for any boxer.

If you watch Hopkins against southpaws, he never boxes them. Well, he never uses the jab. Against Tarver and Wright he threw about half a dozen jabs over both fights. Against Tarver it was straight right hands, left hooks, body punches, and uppercuts. When he fought Wright it was mainly getting inside, working the body, then away again. Thats not boxing in my eyes, not pure boxing anyway.
The defeninition of boxing is to hit without being hit. I respect your view though.:deal

[Amsterdam]

Yeah but he won title at Light Heavy Weight. He beat the guy considered the best at the time. Virgil Hill. You could be right because Hearns chin sometimes betrayed him like it did against Barkley and Hagler. I do think this is a tough one to call. Hearns did learn how to grab and hold when hurt.

Calzaghe is a harder fight for a guy like Hearns than Hill though. Joe's excellent on pouncing on a hurt opponent and showering them with punches. Barkley was a B- grade fighter, but was an awkward style for Hearns, is there anyone more awkward than Calzaghe?

Hearns would be especially vulnerable to Joe's left hook when hurt and he doesn't have the chin to take it.

Think it over, we aren't talking the 154, or even 160 version of Hearns here.

[Amsterdam]

Calzaghe would win, probably via late stoppage. Hearns would be competitive, make no mistake about it. But was past his prime while competing at super-middleweight.


Hearns' long range boxing ability would keep him right in the fight.

Does anybody realise how fast a prime Calzaghe was, with power involved?

A lot quicker than anyone Hearns faced 154 and up, Leonard at Welter barely edges Calzaghe with handspeed. There is no way this goes past the early rounds, considering the styles, intangibles and weight range.

And I am a HUGE fan of Hearns that picks him over a lot of guys.

[joe the great]

Calzaghe is a harder fight for a guy like Hearns than Hill though. Joe's excellent on pouncing on a hurt opponent and showering them with punches. Barkley was a B- grade fighter, but was an awkward style for Hearns, is there anyone more awkward than Calzaghe?

Hearns would be especially vulnerable to Joe's left hook when hurt and he doesn't have the chin to take it.

Think it over, we aren't talking the 154, or even 160 version of Hearns here.
True Hill lived by the jab and in Hearns he found a boxer with just as good of a jab. So it was very tough for him. Hill was a bigger man than Joe though. The fight is still a tough one for me to call. Hearns was past his prime but still a damn good fighter. Hearns was still tough for guys at cruiserweight when he was past his prime. Hearns is a tall guy I think 6' 1.5" or at least 6' 1" and he filled out good at the heavier weights.

[Addie]

At 168, his power would be nothing compared to what it was at 147 and 154. He got beat by some decent but not great MW's.

Are we talking about prime for prime?

Calzaghe does not stop Hearns.

[Robbi]

The defeninition of boxing is to hit without being hit. I respect your view though.:deal

Your wrong. Mike Tyson in his prime. He went out there, seldom got hit, and KO'd opponents with both hands. You trying to tell me he was boxing while throwing hooks and straight right hands with serious intentions?. Tyson could box, but lets say he never during one of his fights.

The definition of boxing isn't about "to hit without being hit", although thats a characteristic which mainly defines a boxer than a slugger/puncher more often than not.

[kg0208]

Are we talking about prime for prime?

Calzaghe does not stop Hearns.

Prime Hearns, by age and peak of his physical skills would have been entirely too small to fight a SMW. In his prime, Hearns wouldn't have faired well at SMW.

[joe the great]

Your wrong. Mike Tyson in his prime. He went out there, seldom got hit, and KO'd opponents with both hands. You trying to tell me he was boxing while throwing hooks and straight right hands with serious intentions?. Tyson could box, but lets say he never during one of his fights.

The definition of boxing isn't about "to hit without being hit", although thats a characteristic which mainly defines a boxer than a slugger/puncher more often than not.
Yup. Did you change your avatar? I like it Winky is one of my favorite fighters of all time.

[Caliboxing]

Since Calzaghe in not a huge puncher, Hearns can possibly outbox him.

[welshwonder]

so your telling me based on the fact that calzaghe is not a huge puncher that hearns would outbox him this makes no sense, hearns would not outbox calzaghe, at smw calzghe is too quick and has too much work rate for hearns, i doubt that calzaghe would KO hearns but a TKO is possible.

[Caliboxing]

so your telling me based on the fact that calzaghe is not a huge puncher that hearns would outbox him this makes no sense, hearns would not outbox calzaghe, at smw calzghe is too quick and has too much work rate for hearns, i doubt that calzaghe would KO hearns but a TKO is possible.


There is little chance to beat Hearns if you can't stop him, he was outboxing Leonard.

[joe the great]

so your telling me based on the fact that calzaghe is not a huge puncher that hearns would outbox him this makes no sense, hearns would not outbox calzaghe, at smw calzghe is too quick and has too much work rate for hearns, i doubt that calzaghe would KO hearns but a TKO is possible.
What are the odds that Calzaghe's work rate will be high if Hearns starts tagging him with some big shots? When you get tagged you tend not to throw as much.

[Sweet Pea]

There is little chance to beat Hearns if you can't stop him, he was outboxing Leonard.Calzaghe will overpower him and outwork him at 168. Hearns was not impossible to outbox at higher weights, just very hard. Calzaghe's speed and workrate are his advantages here, against a Hearns with less power and speed, and strength as well. P4P, Hearns takes this matchup likely, but not at 168.

[welshwonder]

at times he was outboxing SRL, but leonard was not a natural SMW wheras calzaghe is, SRL workrate was not as good in this fight as calzaghes would have been, and like i said a TKO is possible, Calzaghe has got 32 KOs from his 44 fights not exactly too shabby.

[cardstars]

This should be an obvious choice. At SMW Calzaghe wins every time

[Caliboxing]

Calzaghe will overpower him and outwork him at 168. Hearns was not impossible to outbox at higher weights, just very hard. Calzaghe's speed and workrate are his advantages here, against a Hearns with less power and speed, and strength as well. P4P, Hearns takes this matchup likely, but not at 168.


Hearns was a little thin for 160 and that's why somethimes he lost his legs. Who is to say that he won't be stronger at 168.

[Caliboxing]

at times he was outboxing SRL, but leonard was not a natural SMW wheras calzaghe is, SRL workrate was not as good in this fight as calzaghes would have been, and like i said a TKO is possible, Calzaghe has got 32 KOs from his 44 fights not exactly too shabby.


Leonard was not a SMW but he was faster than Calzaghe. I don't know how Calzaghe is gonna react to Hearns' power, Cal has also been dropped a few times.

[Toopretty]

Does anybody realise how fast a prime Calzaghe was, with power involved?

A lot quicker than anyone Hearns faced 154 and up, Leonard at Welter barely edges Calzaghe with handspeed. There is no way this goes past the early rounds, considering the styles, intangibles and weight range.

And I am a HUGE fan of Hearns that picks him over a lot of guys.


HAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...HAAAAAAAAAAA:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

[Sweet Pea]

Hearns was a little thin for 160 and that's why somethimes he lost his legs. Who is to say that he won't be stronger at 168.Uhh, the people who saw him fight there? He was at his best at 147 and 154. Do you even know what you're talking about? Are you insinuating that Hearns is better at 168 and higher? His style revolved around his length and body type. His legs were better at 147 and 154 than at 160. That doesn't tell you he gets better as he moves up, it tells you that he gets worse.

[Sweet Pea]

Leonard was not a SMW but he was faster than Calzaghe. I don't know how Calzaghe is gonna react to Hearns' power, Cal has also been dropped a few times.Hearns doesn't have as much power at 168 as Kessler does. You're off base with your view of Hearns being this good at higher weights. His best by far was pre-MW.

[Hank]

That is great match to think up. Since hearns would be moving up, I lean towards Calzaghe, but Hearns would be toughest he ever faced. A fight I would love to have seen.

[Caliboxing]

Uhh, the people who saw him fight there? He was at his best at 147 and 154. Do you even know what you're talking about? Are you insinuating that Hearns is better at 168 and higher? His style revolved around his length and body type. His legs were better at 147 and 154 than at 160. That doesn't tell you he gets better as he moves up, it tells you that he gets worse.


He was at his best at 147 till he met Leonard and found out that he was weak at 147 and moved up.

[LockDog387]

These are these fantasy matchups that is very hard to pick a winner. Calzaghe has never faced a fighter in the calibur of Hearns, (and no, Kessler is no Hearns) but Hearns has never faced a calibur of Calzaghe. Their is this misconception that Hearns is small. He's not small by any means, Hearns had a large frame and very broad shoulders, he was only thin in the legs. I noticed a lot of fighters who were thin in the legs had bad chins, probably because it was easy for their opponents to knock them off balance. (ie Iran Barkely) IMO this fight could go either way, it could Calzaghe outboxing Hearns or Hearns outboxing Calzaghe.

[kartog]

These are these fantasy matchups that is very hard to pick a winner. Calzaghe has never faced a fighter in the calibur of Hearns, (and no, Kessler is no Hearns) but Hearns has never faced a calibur of Calzaghe. Their is this misconception that Hearns is small. He's not small by any means, Hearns had a large frame and very broad shoulders, he was only thin in the legs. I noticed a lot of fighters who were thin in the legs had bad chins, probably because it was easy for their opponents to knock them off balance. (ie Iran Barkely) IMO this fight could go either way, it could Calzaghe outboxing Hearns or Hearns outboxing Calzaghe.Are you serious? Leonard is the best fighter Hearns has faced and I'm sure Leonard's caliber is at least comparable to Calzaghe's.