Tommy Hearns vs. Floyd Mayweather

[spion]

As talented as Mayweather Jr. is, does he have the firepower to deal with Hearns? Against Leonard, Hearns battered Ray but it was Leonards punching power that was able to turn the tide. Would Hearns be able to connect with Mayweather and get him out?

Interesting matchup. Hearns very tall for welterweight as is Mayweather. Floyd cannot lay back and wait for a counter as Hearns can punch from a distance and his jab and right hands are exceptionally fast, the jab presenting a big problem for Floyd. Mayweather has had success fighting tall fighters but none with the speed and power of Hearns. I see the Hitman carrying out a contract on the Pretty Boy.

[pryorgatti]

Hearns by murder at 147.

[TBooze]

Mayweather was a tough cookie at his best, but Leonard easily outboxed him, Tommy in 80/81 probably stops him.;)

[Holmes' Jab]

I can't think of a worse matchup for Mayweather, to be honest. Hearns, with his height, reach and snapping jab would keep Floyd on the defensive. Though he can adapt, on the outside; he'd be on the end of Hearns big punches. On the inside; he'd be invading the choppers of a helicopter and he was not as big / strong as Leonard was, who was able to take those punches and break Hearns down. He did not possess the same firepower that Leonard did.

He's a great defensive fighter, so I think he will last the distance here, but stylistically, I don't see him mounting too much of an offense to really threaten Hearns.

Hearns UD, 8-4


Wholeheartedly agree with all of this. Good post. :good

[Sweet Pea]

I can't think of a worse matchup for Mayweather, to be honest. Hearns, with his height, reach and snapping jab would keep Floyd on the defensive. Though he can adapt, on the outside; he'd be on the end of Hearns big punches. On the inside; he'd be invading the choppers of a helicopter and he was not as big / strong as Leonard was, who was able to take those punches and break Hearns down. He did not possess the same firepower that Leonard did.

He's a great defensive fighter, so I think he will last the distance here, but stylistically, I don't see him mounting too much of an offense to really threaten Hearns.

Hearns UD, 8-4Agreed, but if he does last the distance I really doubt the scores would be even that close.

[Robbi]

Mayweather doesn't have the same mobility at welterweight as he did at super-featherweight and lightweight. He'd need the same kind of movement he showed against Corrales and thats simply not possible. His reflexes aren't quite as sharp as they once were either. He has the option of dropping inside against Hearns, which he'd need to do when it comes to hurting him. No way could Mayweather hurt Hearns at long range. Leonard couldn't do it, so no reason Mayweather could go one better.

The major weapon for Hearns would be the jab.

If Mayweather was a serious banger at welterweight his chances increase. But its still going to be a tall order for him. Bad style match-up here for Mayweather.

Hearns TKO10

[Robbi]

Agreed, but if he does last the distance I really doubt the scores would be even that close.

Mayweather's punch out-put would drop with Hearns. He'd be thinking too much on how to get past the jab. Not only was Hearns' jab lethal, It was used regularly.

[ChrisPontius]

It's like W. Klitschko vs Byrd: terrible matchup for Mayweather. He lacks the power and size to bank on Heans' sole weakness and his defensive style won't work well enough against such a rangy, speedy and powerful fighter.

[richie leon]

As talented as Mayweather Jr. is, does he have the firepower to deal with Hearns? Against Leonard, Hearns battered Ray but it was Leonards punching power that was able to turn the tide. Would Hearns be able to connect with Mayweather and get him out?

Interesting matchup. Hearns very tall for welterweight as is Mayweather. Floyd cannot lay back and wait for a counter as Hearns can punch from a distance and his jab and right hands are exceptionally fast, the jab presenting a big problem for Floyd. Mayweather has had success fighting tall fighters but none with the speed and power of Hearns. I see the Hitman carrying out a contract on the Pretty Boy.

Mayweather is very tall for a WW? At 5'8 he was a tall SFW, but at WW he's a smallish guy at best. Hearns was huge at the weight, and was really more at home later on at 160 and 168. This is a physical mismatch, plus a hard style match-up for PBF. If they matched up better physically, it would be interesting.

[Ezzard]

Style and physicla make up make this a great fight for Hearns who was all but unbeatable at 147 and 154 over 10 rounds.

[JohnThomas1]

It's like W. Klitschko vs Byrd: terrible matchup for Mayweather. He lacks the power and size to bank on Heans' sole weakness and his defensive style won't work well enough against such a rangy, speedy and powerful fighter.
It's Nightmare On Elm Street for poor Floyd. Great fighter but he's so badly matched in this one.

[SteveO]

Hearns UD 7-5 or 9-6.

[brooklyn1550]

I see Floyd having difficulty winning more than a round or two at welterweight, let alone the fight itself. Hearns is just a stylistic nightmare for him; the mastery of distance, left jab, and speed would be far too much to overcome.

[Doppleganger]

Double post.

[Doppleganger]

It took a special fighter (and SRL at 147 was a truly special fighter) to come through the valley of death and eventually wear down a Hearns who was still young and had not properly filled out.

To quote Mr T:

"What's your prediction of the fight Clubber?"

Evil glance to camera.

"PAIN..."

[Sardu]

Don't think Maywhether was as agressive as Sugar Ray Leonard. Leonard forced his will on Hearns after trailing on points and rallied for the TKO victory. I don't Hearns was as strong at WW as he was at junior-middleweight. But he is still a much larger man and Maywhether would not have answers in this match-up.


Hearns UD or possibly late stoppage in a 15rd fight.

[booradley]

Mayweather is the best welter NOW. Only one guy has a real chance with him, and that's Cotto. When you bring up guys from the past there are 3 welters against whom Mayweather would lose nearly every time; Robinson, Leonard, and Hearns. Duran/Mayweather is a pick-em fight at 147. At 135 Duran wins hands down. At 130 a prime Arguello would take Mayweather out late in a 15 rounder. PBF is p4p #1 in the world right now, but he is a far cry from the best ever at any weight he has fought at.

Boo

[OBCboxer]

Hearns UD. Tall fighter with lots of reach would give PBF fits.

[RockyJim]

Hearns charged with attempted murder after this one...