Could Hearns have ever beaten Hagler?

[LobowolfXXX]

There's no reason to automatically rule out Hearns in a rematch. Of course, he'd have to change tactics, seeing as to how his Plan A in the 1st fight didn't work out very well. He came out like gangbusters in Round 1 to try to impose his will and his power on Hagler, who always had a good chin. He lost that battle. Who's to say he couldn't come out in a second fight and just use his jab and boxing skills for a few rounds until he warmed up... and THEN start throwing some ill-intentioned right hands at Hagler? It's possible.

I agree that it's "possible," and I don't "automatically" rule it out; the problem I see with it is that it's essentially the plan that didn't work against Leonard. Again, why assume that he would make it to the final bell against Hagler, when he couldn't do it against Leonard? Especially given that 1) Hagler hit harder than Leonard, and 2) Hearns had more KO power at 147 than at higher weights.

Hagler DID NOT HIT HARDER THAN LEONARD.................... Maybe equal. Ray had knock out power in both hands and proved it above 160. Hearns floored Leonard above 147, Duran above 147, Andres above 147 (WBC Light Heavy title), Roldan above 147 (WBC middle weight title) Get you facts straight

Leonard proved it in his one fight above 160? Please. Hagler clearly had more power than Leonard, and it's reflected in their knockout percentages. Leonard knocked out 62.5% of his opponents, and Hagler knocked out 77% of his.

As for Hearns, rather than cherry-picking his decision wins (Singletary, DeWitt, Sutherland, Minchillo), just look at the numbers. Fortunately, he had about as many fights at or below 147 as he did above, so the comparison is simple: At 147 and below, Hearns had 33 fights and 30 knockouts. That's over 90%. Above 147, he had 34 fights and 18 knockouts. That's barely over 50%. And it started IMMEDIATELY after he went over 147. He scored knockouts in 2 of his first 4 fights over 147. Or 4 of his next 8. Or 6 of his next 12. Or 8 of his next 16. He went from knockout out almost everybody to knocking out about half of his opponents. It's silly to suggest that he had as much power at higher weight classes as he did at 147 and below. Like just about EVERY fighter who moves into higher weight classes, his punching power diminished.