Could Hearns have beaten Hagler if he didn't try to knock him out?

[Sleepwalker]

I've always wondered what would have happened if Tommy had paced himself instead of trying to brawl with Marvin. There's no doubt in my mind that Tommy knocking out Duran had an influence on his approach in this fight. Would Hearns have had a shot at winning?

[Dia bando]

No I dont think so Tommy would have found it hard to keep away from Marvin for 12 round's may have gone 6 or 7 round's?

[roberto duran legend]

Impossible at Middleweight , how could Hearns keep Hagler at bay , its not what Tommy could do to win its what Hagler wanted to do , and that was to flatten him, still two Absolute legends and a fight for the ages.

[Master]

Yes he could have, he was disciplined to do it against Benitez and certainly later against bigger opponents. He just had a right hand from the gods that could strike people down and he wanted to use it. Problem was Hagler had a granite chin and too the punches no one else could have taken.

[Dark Lord Al]

Im not sure , Marvin was just a bad style for Tommy , rock chin and power , it really was my favorite fight even though Tommy lost.

[generalbulldog]

As someone said, I just think Hagler was all wrong for Tommy. Eventually I think Hearns if he had fought the way op said would have succumbed to Hagler's power, might not be the 3rd round with a different strategy but eventually yes Hagler would have gotten to him in the later rounds.

[gest12645]

Agreed, Hagler had just a bad style for Hearns. Btw dia bando, use some punctuation m8, cause it's tough reading some of your posts.

[Dia bando]

I like Hearns but Hagler was a bit to much for him two great fighter's

[jdonaher1]

Tommy's chin always let him down in his biggest fights (Leonard & Hagler). Hagler would have gotten there sooner or later. 15 rounds is a LONG time to stay away from Marvin. It's disappointing the Hagler let his ego get in the way with Sugar Ray and allow the fight to be 12 rounds instead of 15. Hagler would have KO'd Sugar in the 13th or 14th if he would have.

[Jody Lane]

I've always wondered what would have happened if Tommy had paced himself instead of trying to brawl with Marvin. There's no doubt in my mind that Tommy knocking out Duran had an influence on his approach in this fight. Would Hearns have had a shot at winning?

I think Tommy, with his size and reach, could have won a decision had he fought a stick and move fight. Problem was that was not his style. Seek and destroy was Tommy's game plan and well, we saw what that got him.

[Master]

Hearns went for the knock out and he should have used his boxing more. Manny Steward also said that Hearns legs were weak so he could not try to box, he also injured his right hand so circumstances were him. Hearns did nearly win because the fight was about to be stopped so his aggressive tactic nearly worked.