Had 12 round fights been brought in sooner would Hearns be Greater than Leonard

[atomic bull]

I've always said that Hearns was good chin short of being better than Hagler and Leonard - and that his long legs let him down by going to jelly when he got hit.

Somebody (Stebs) on the other Hearns thread mentioned that Hearns was well ahead after 12 rounds of the first fight with Leonard, and I think there is little doubt he won their 2nd fight.

So if 12 round fights came in sooner, would history have Hearns above Leonard in the all time great stakes?

I think the answer is YES

BIG H, just think about this,.....if 12 rds were always the Championship distance do you realize how many major fights would have been changed? Conn would have dethroned Louis, Walcott would have retained his title vs. Marciano, Lamotte would had lost his title to Dauthile, Hearns would have been Undisputed Wwelterweight champ, Cooney would have beaten Holmes, just off the top of my head.