I like Dawson here. It'd be a fire fight, I suspect - two guys who are used to being able to exploit range but would have that advantage taken from them. I trust Dawson's chin more at 175, especially in combination with the strength advantage he'd have. Dawson TKO 6.
I never saw anyone out box a prime Hearns. Even the ultra slick Virgil Hill couldn't do it. Barkley out pointed him, but that was more of the KO hangover than boxing skill. I can see Hearns keeping things at range with his straighter, stiffer jab and landing enough big right hands to keep Dawson from being too aggressive. If Tommy's legs and stamina don't fail him in the later rounds, he could win a clear decision.
I'm a Dawson fan as all of you know, but I think the Hearns of the Andries fight sparks Chad. Chad always has lulls, and can be tagged with right hands, and can be hurt. Those 3 things arent a good combination when facing Tommy.
I'll take Hearns here... god, people act like the guy was made out of alumminum foil... did you guys see him kick the hell out of Dennis Andries? did you see him easily outbox Virgil Hill when he was arguably very near SHOT? this is a guy who boxed better than Dawson, arguably hit harder even at this advanced unnatural weight and in just three fights there, faced easily comparable opposition
