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

[BIG H]

I here all your points, but I still don't think that any strategy, training or advice from the corner, would've allowed him to be so far behind after 13 rounds, if he actually was able to do anything about it!

[Unknowndonor]

Hagler was still better than both of them.

[Taeth]

How do you figure? Hagler had a hard time with Duran, he relied on Hearns weak chin, and lost to a far more aged Leonard... so what exactly do you mean Hagler was better than both?

[raleights]

I think SRL showed up to fight the way Calzaghe did with Lacy. Hagler losing to him doesn't mean all that much in terms of how great he is p4p. When one of the greatest fighters of all time shows up with more focus and determination than he's ever had, and you lose a CLOSE decision. Well it's not something I read into a whole lot

[means2184]

Maybe ,...but try o remember you pace your self differently the 1st 5-6 rnds if you know your goin 15 instead of 12 ....WE"LL NEVER KNOW FOR SURE...but if u just take the fight and stop it at rnd 12 and judge it then maybe

[cockey cockney]

This is a case of ifs and buts though. Leonard turned on the heat when he needed to and won the fight. I believe he wouldda done the same in a 12 rounder, he just always seemed to have a way to win any fight.

[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.

[BIG H]

Fair point - not sure about Cooney and Holmes though

[BIG H]

Just checking out some old threads