Tommy Hearns vs Felix Trinadad 4

 

At first, I thought this was going to be tossup — after all, both Hearns and Trinidad are roughly the same prototype: tall, rangy knockout artists with somewhat questionable chins. But after a meticulous analysis of both fighters’ styles, strengths and weaknesses, I came to the conclusion that Hearns has a big edge in this match. First, Hearns holds the advantage in just about everything: size, reach, speed, power, and boxing skills (by a mile). Another thing going for Hearns is that he is a fast starter, and I can see Trinidad (a noted slow starter), fighting tooth and nail in the first three rounds of this match. Hearns can box and punch, fight forward or backward, while Trinidad has trouble against polished boxers, and cannot fight going backward. Hearns likes to start by putting his foes on the defensive with his jab and relentlessly unload power punches from a safe distance, and I think Trinidad does not the boxing ability to avoid this kind of a situation. Trinidad’s chances, however, increases as the fight goes on as he gets in sync. Still, even if both fighters are their top form, I can’t see cruder Trinidad getting the better of the polished Hearns. In fact, the only scenario where I can see Trinidad winning is by engaging in a slugfest up close and land his vaunted left hook. But even then, it’s still a risky proposition for Trinidad because Hearns has the faster hands, and is the bigger puncher.  I feel this is a bad matchup for Trinidad.

Tommy Hearns vs Felix Trinadad 5

Trinidad has the sturdier chin and better stamina, but he has shown that he can be knocked out. Hearns has the bigger punch and has proven hinself to be an excelleant boxer and he has a terrific jab (IMO he outboxed Sugar Ray twice) when he chooses to use it, but his chin and legs are not so sturdy. In a fight between Hearns and Trinidad I would lean toward Hearns by middle rounds knockout. Oscar De La Hoya has already shown that Trinidad can easily be outboxed and Bernard Hopkins has proven that Trinidad can be KO'ed. But Hearns would have to act fast because after the sixth round Trinidad's odds increase.

Tommy Hearns vs Felix Trinadad 5

This fight would have been intriguing in that both Tommy Hearns and Felix Trinidad were/are known for their brutal punching power. But the fight would come down to pace. 'Tito' Trinidad, a notoriously slow starter, was never comfortable coming out with a fast pace outright at the start of the opening round whereas the 'Hitman' had a penchant for landing powerful, accurate blows early. Chances are that if Trinidad could weather the firestorm for the first four or so rounds of the fight, he would probably beat Hearns. Trinidad, historically, picks up the pace. And against a winded 'Hitman', Trinidad would be able to land efficiently. And if Hearns stayed careless in front of Trinidad, he would possibly be KO'd. Reversely, Trinidad would never be not in danger during the entire fight as one shot from Hearns would put him out cold. As long as Tommy Hearns was still fighting, he could always land the one shot to end the fight.

Tommy Hearns vs Felix Trinadad 5

For about three rounds,it's tough to think of anyone more dangerous than Hearns(in history) at 147.After that,he just wasn't quite as dangerous-which was obviously the strategy Leonard used succesfully in their great first fight-and it may also have worked for the very talented Harold Weston-who was coming on ,when he apparently was thumbed and the fight was stopped.Outside of Hearns,there haven't been many more dangerous punchers than Trinidad-who could be a very slow starter-and who also didn't have the foot speed of Leonard...Very explosive fight.Very iffy...I'm slightly leaning toward Hearns..but if it went the other way,it wouldn't surprise me.