Hearns VS Leonard at 154: Who wins?

[Sister Sledge]

I was curious what everyone feels. I have my own opinions, but both of these guys have one titles at 154. Hearns looked really comfortable at this weight, but there weren't many big money fighter at 154. Leonard retired. Who do you think would have won had they met after both moved up?

[redrooster]

Sistersledge, all you need do is compare the two of them one month apart. Hearns quickly did away with Duran while Leonard struggled to defeat Kevin Howard. Hearns had come a long way since the days of Cuevas and Leonard. His durability and speed were never better, he was more experienced, and I think by 84 he was much better suited to this weight. Leonard I'm not sure about; all he had was this one fight and the Kalule match in which he jumped straight into the division and won. So with more experience under his belt, Leonard could have developed into a decent contender for the title.

However talented he may have been, I don't see him getting past Hitman Hearns the second time around. Tommy still has the reach on him and could probably still outbox Leonard. Tommy is just too sharp and as in the first fight, will win the exchanges but unlike the first fight this time, Tommy will be able to put enough behind his punches to seriously hurt Leonard.

So either by decision or by knockout, Tommy is going to win. I don't see it going the distance though.

[Sister Sledge]

Sistersledge, all you need do is compare the two of them one month apart. Hearns quickly did away with Duran while Leonard struggled to defeat Kevin Howard. Hearns had come a long way since the days of Cuevas and Leonard. His durability and speed were never better, he was more experienced, and I think by 84 he was much better suited to this weight. Leonard I'm not sure about; all he had was this one fight and the Kalule match in which he jumped straight into the division and won. So with more experience under his belt, Leonard could have developed into a decent contender for the title.

However talented he may have been, I don't see him getting past Hitman Hearns the second time around. Tommy still has the reach on him and could probably still outbox Leonard. Tommy is just too sharp and as in the first fight, will win the exchanges but unlike the first fight this time, Tommy will be able to put enough behind his punches to seriously hurt Leonard.

So either by decision or by knockout, Tommy is going to win. I don't see it going the distance though.

I think he would win, also. I thought this was Hearns' best weight, actually, but he had so many hand problems during this time that he never truly got to show his power during this time.
I believe Tommy would have put a hurting on Ray at 154. As good as Ray was, he would always have a tough time with Tommy, and with the Hitman at a much healthier weight, he might have stopped Leonard.

[Sardu]

At this weight I would like Hearns. Possibly even inside the distance. I saw Hearns annihilate Duran at 154 and it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. No one had ever done that to Duran until Hearns.

[laxpdx]

I definitely give Hearns the edge here.

[Holmes' Jab]

Hearns, by decision.

[JohnThomas1]

I've always thought Hearns was at his peak at 154, and the version who beat Duran and The Pumper would have also beaten Leonard most times.

[pryorgatti]

Thomas Hearns by late TKO

[markedwardscott]

Hearns by TKO, cuts Leonard who had eye problems are that time

[dpw417]

Are we talking about the Leonard from the Kalule fight, or from the Kevin Howard fight?

[Robbi]

Are we talking about the Leonard from the Kalule fight, or from the Kevin Howard fight?

You would need to combine both. The Leonard of the Kalule and Howard fights was in with two different styles compared to Hearns. He'd obviously react differently to a different style. Thats the hard thing about fantasy match-ups. They both faced each other at welterweight, which obviously needs to be used as a gauge to a certain degree.

[dpw417]

You would need to combine both. The Leonard of the Kalule and Howard fights was in with two different styles compared to Hearns. He'd obviously react differently to a different style.
Well the Leonard from the Howard fight has no shot against the prime Hearns...and even if it is a combination of the two...it still doesn't bode well for Ray...due to the fact he'd been out of the ring for what close to two years?
If it would be the SRL from the Kalule fight against say the Hearns from the Duran/Hutchings fights then you've got a battle...

[Mantequilla]

I saw almost no difference in the Hearns of 147 and 154, as would relate to fighting Leonard.

If anything Hearns power decreased and his hand problems started at this weight.

That's not saying he won't win, but he wouldn't have anymore of an advantage over Ray at this weight than when they did fight.

Very close and tough to call.

[JohnThomas1]

I saw almost no difference in the Hearns of 147 and 154, as would relate to fighting Leonard.

If anything Hearns power decreased and his hand problems started at this weight.

That's not saying he won't win, but he wouldn't have anymore of an advantage over Ray at this weight than when they did fight.

Very close and tough to call.

Tho he may not have proved it at 154, Hearns had indeed learned to clinch when hurt, and this would have made a bit of difference. IMO he was also a little more robust and would have undoubtedly been a little more suited to the weight. Small gains that in a close pairing may make the difference. I agree it's still a tough one to call. A Hearns right post Duran i would make even money.

[enquirer]

Lets remember that ray was a biggish welter and would have been suited at 154 as well,with possibly more power and little dimnition of speed. Hearns was better in some ways at 154 but was tommy ever faster,more powerful or quicker round the ring than in the leonard fight/cuevas 147 fights? Also in a rematch ray would know that he could hurt hearns if he exchanged,which he didnt know in the first fight. He also knows that he can take some of tommys shots.I think the fight is a toss up,but i would favour ray over 15 and maybe tommy over 12. No way hearns stops ray,leonard is too defensively adept,solid chinned,iron willed and posesses survival skills in abundance.

[JohnThomas1]

Lets remember that ray was a biggish welter and would have been suited at 154 as well,with possibly more power and little dimnition of speed.

We saw Ray at 154, he lost a little power if anything.

Hearns was better in some ways at 154 but was tommy ever faster,more powerful or quicker round the ring than in the leonard fight/cuevas 147 fights?

Tho he never had to prove it at 154, Hearns had gone to school and learnt how to clinch. This could be a key factor in the rematch, as it was indeed even way later in their draw.

Also in a rematch ray would know that he could hurt hearns if he exchanged,which he didnt know in the first fight.

Ray knew in round 6 or wotever it was he could hurt Hearns badly in their 147 fight, yet couldn't stop him for ages due to Hearns boxing skill and immense power threat. It would be even tougher at 154 IMO.

I think the fight is a toss up,but i would favour ray over 15 and maybe tommy over 12.

Decent call bro.

No way hearns stops ray,leonard is too defensively adept,solid chinned,iron willed and posesses survival skills in abundance.

I 80% agree, but it's definitely not impossible.