Now i must warn the trigger happy Hearns lovers/Oscar Haters like Xplosive to not jump the gun and say something like "Hearns KO2". :warning: Oscar in his prime had never been stopped. Very rarely even hurt. He's only been stopped twice..one was at Middleweight by the great Bernard Hopkins and from a bodyshot. The other was when he was past prime and just soaking up punishment round after round with no return fire prompting his corner to halt the action. Oscar had a great chin, good heart etc. now Hearns is better than Oscar in most categories: handspeed, reach, height, power...but Oscar had the better chin and had decent power, reach and handpseed of his own. I pick Hearns by unanimous decision...dropping Oscar at least once on route and possibly climbing off the canvas himself.
I think ODH would lack the courage he'd need to beat Hearns. He'd go into a shell and lose a decision, like you say. Not that ODH didn't have courage. It's just, his only chance to win would be to fight Hearns the way he fought Mosley. It's doubtful he'd have it in him (most fighters wouldn't in his position).
Oscar's only advantage in this fight if you go by "on paper" type stats is his chin. That doesn't often prove to be a huge edge between two guys who are boxers first and punchers second. I can certainly see one well timed left hook from De La Hoya separating Tommy from his senses and ending it. Oscar was a terrific boxer, with good timing, speed and craft. This isn't some kind of 1 in a million "puncher's chance" type of situation like it's matchup between Julian Letterlough vs Roy Jones. That said, even if De La Hoya could compete with Hearns over 12 roundsi can't envision him winning by any way other than via KO. Oscar's a live dog but 8-9 times out of 10 you just have to favor Hearns.
I think Hearns wins a clear decision. De La Hoya said the reason he was so inactive for rounds against Quartey was because he was nervous about his punching power. Well what's going to happen when he gets hit with Hearns's right hand (or left hook to the body)? De La Hoya had a sturdy chin so I doubt he gets stopped without sustained punishment or it's an absolutely perfect shot, but he'll get more defensive and not let his hands go much. As said above, De La Hoya could conceivably stop Hearns by landing a timely left hook and then following up. But the chances are against it. De La Hoya may land it and hurt Hearns, but like Hearns did against Leonard, he can switch it up and box on his toes. If Hearns decides to fight in that manner, it's going to be extremely tough for DLH to deal with. And I don't think DLH would have enough in the tank to pull off a late come-from-behind stoppage like Leonard did. Leonard had better stamina.
Hearns was so, so fast. It's just interesting to see how complete he is on the tapes. But also sort of amazing that Leonard was his father. I pick Hearns by wide decision, controlling the fight with the jab.
I just can't see Oscar being able to deal with Tommy's boxing ability. Nobody could box with Hearns, you had to attack him... and outside of Barkley's million-to-one shot against him at 160, the only guys who ever did it were Hagler (who's head was made of steel) and Leonard, who was faster and ultimately tougher than Oscar What whiskey said, Oscar had that great left and he was a smart talented fighter so yeah he could maybe hurt Tommy beyond repair... but it ain't easy... People forget that there were a couple of rounds where Leonard shook Tommy something fierce and really belted hima lot and he still couldn't get him down until the 14th... And DLH has got to fear and respect TOmmy's punches, especially that right hand that can end anybody's night early... Oscar would compete, but I cant see him doing anything better than what Benitez did... get widely outboxed over the long haul, unable to get enough meaningful shots in because of having to repect Tommy's power
Yes indeed. Hearns was nowhere as fragile, ESPECIALLY at Welter, as some folks try to make him out to be. Leonard had Hearns in trouble in rounds 6 & 7 of their first fight. He pounded Hearns from pillar to post, as they say, and not only did Hearns not hit the canvas, but fought his was through it, and then recovered and regained control of the fight until tiring in the later rounds. Hearns was stopped one time in his entire career with one punch in a fight (that he was on his way to winning) two divisions up from where this match up takes place. I suppose anything is possible, but I find the scenario where DLH puts Hearns out on his feet from a single shot and then somehow manages to accomplish what Ray Leonard couldn't in the same situation to be highly unlikely.
You are the only poster around who not only picks every upcoming fight wrong but every MM wrong too. Hearns wins a clear decision but he would not KO Hoya, much less that early
Oscar would be pretty lucky to last the distance with Tommy at 147. If he does, he losses by VERY clear UD. At 154, I have no doubt that Tommy stretches him.
The thing that amazes me about Hearns is that he was quite clumsy in the ring. Often getting his legs tied up. That aside, Hearns beats ODH. Too skillful and I don't believe Oscar would take the chances needed to KO Tommy. Decision for Tommy with a possible late KO if ODH throws caution to the wind.
I think Hearns stops him. Ike Quartey was able to land right hands on De La Hoya and he hurt Oscar in their fight. Even if De La Hoya comes out the same way he did against Trinidad, I still think Hearns is too fast and too powerful. Hearns TKO 9
