Hearns v Pipino Cueves

I've long known of this great spaghetti legs KO, but I only recently learned that Pipino is a HOF boxer. I don't know much about him, but he appeared to be in his prime when he lost to the Hitman. You can see the full fight here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS_AQK2idU8

This strikes be as an extremely important part of Hearn's legacy. Is it me or has history minimized the importance of this fight in comparison to the SRL, Hearns, and Duran bouts?

This means Hearns had 2 of the most dominating performances, against a prime or near-prime HOFer, in Boxing history. And both Pipino and Duran had great chins. The most dominating, imo, was Foreman over a red-hot-prime Frazier.

Thats quite an accomplishment: 2 dominating KOs against HOFers in their prime. Who else can make that claim?

Yeah, unfortunately Hearns is known to casual boxing fans as much for his losses to SRL and Hagler as he is for his many great wins. Personally I love the Hitman and I think he is one of the most devestating punchers in history who was not a heavyweight(yeah I said it). His chin was questionable but he had fight changing power, one of the few boxers who no matter who he would've beaten you couldn't be too suprised because when he touched you it hurt your soul. I will never forget the image of him dropping Duran the way he did.

At the time of that fight a lot of people thought Hearns was going too far too fast. IIRC it was a pick'em fight.

Pipino Cuevas was on a run throught the welters that made Tyson's run through the heavies pale in comparison. Pipino really only had a single punch, a left hook, but it was one of the savage punches the sport has ever seen. Something like ten defenses nine by KO and he'd broken two jaws, one eye socket and knocked out teeth along the way. That's not hyperbole. His punches literally broke bones time after time.

Pipino started his career slow and he finished it badly. He partied hard all along the way. But at that time? Hewas viewed as perhaps the most dangerous puncher in the sport.

An unquestionably great win.

But historically the way you phrased two dominating wins over HOFers isn't actually that rare.

Joe Louis absolutely DRILLED HOFers Billy Conn (second fight), Max Baer, Max Schmeling, Jack Sharkey and John Henry Lewis.

Jack Dempsey drilled HOFers Jess Willard, George Carpentier, Billy Miske and Battling Levinsky.

Ezzard Charles dominated and stopped HOFers Archie Moore, LLoyd Marshall (twice) and Jimmy Bivins.

Sandy Saddler dominated Willie Pep and Old Bones Joe Brown, stopping both.

Those are just off the top of my head. My guess is there are 25-30 guys who have done that.

But that's not a lot. Dominating HOFers, except at the end of their careers, is unusual.

The win over Pipino I have always thought was a central part of Hearns' greatness.

This was a huge mismatch and Hearns at his very best, Pipino Cueves didn't have a prayer in this fight. It looked a little to me like Tommy was swatting a fly.

Problem with that big left hook...when you start getting in position to throw it, you end up in line with the other guy's right hand. Factor in how long and tall Hearns was and it couldn't have really gone any other way, though I desparately wanted Cuevas to win.
As for records, when it comes to bouts against guys that were top 10 at fight time, went on to become world champs and/or HOFers, Ezzard Charles is practically in a class by himself.

I have seen the fight and it seems Cuevas had trouble gripping the canvas with his shoes. Also thought Cuevas was from a lower weight and was on the slide until I heard what you said. Hearns is a legend, his right hand could break buildings (except Hagler’s head) and he did not just rely on his boxing skills and height. He likes to entertain the fans and lay it all on the line which is why he is loved by the majority of fans.