De La Hoya-Mayweather or Hearns-Leonard?

Question

Is De La Hoya-Mayweather more eagerly anticipated now than Leonard-Hearns was back in 1981? My buddy seems to think so, but i say no! What do you think?

Answer 1

Not even close. Back in those days you had those amazing scripted fight commercials that got you totally amped for the upcoming bout. Anyone remember the one for Hearns/Leonard? Duran/Leonard 1 & 2? Pryor/Arguello? Holmes/Cooney? For some reason they just don't make 'em like that anymore. A shame cuz I remember how crazed with anticipation they made me, even as a kid.

Answer 2

That's an interesting question, but i have to say Leonard-Hearns because it was the two best fighters in the same division and they really had no choice but to fight each other. That fight had been building and building for nearly two years, and they even fought on the same card a few months before their September showdown to even make it more anticipated.
I remember i had just started my Jr. year in high school back then, and i couldn't even focus in class the day of the fight. That was back when the big mega-fights were held on a weekday, which would seem mighty strange these days. While the upcoming De la Hoya-Mayweather fight may be the most anticipated since Leonard-Hearns or Leonard-Hagler, i don't think it surpasses either in terms if anticipation. Especially with De la Hoya being a bit past his prime at 34 and Floyd moving up in weight and being 30 himself. Hearns and Leonard were both in their 20's and in the prime of their careers when they met the first time, and Tommy was an undefeated KO artist who a lot of people believed would knock Ray out, so a lot of people wanted to see that happen badly. The anticipation for that fight was one of the best in the history of the sport.

Answer 3

I think Leonard-Hearns I was more anticipated than the upcoming De la Hoya-Mayweather bout. In Leonard-Hearns, we're talking about two great current champions and future Hall of Famers who were at the peak of their respective careers and whose styles were perfect for each other. Leonard was a young and cocky master-boxer who was very fast and highly skilled in the sweet science that he was hailed as Ali's heir-apparent. Hearns, on the other hand was a big puncher who used his long stiff jab to set up his devastating right hand.

The much-hyped promotion we're about to see is just a fight between an aging champion who has concentrated more on promoting fights the past few years and an extremely overrated champion. But it gets much attention because of modern promotional tactics and the wider base of media mileage. But if this fight were to take place in the Leonard-Hearns era it won't generate that much hype.

Answer 4

No way! The upside to Leonard or Hearns was huge! On a good night, either could beat anyone. I would place De La Hoya in that category. Mayweather is overrated. He hasn't even proven himself at welter yet, and this is Jr. Middle. He ONLY was though of as "great" when he beat a waaaay over-the-hill Arturo Gatti.

Answer 5

Not even close. Hearns vs Leonard was a fight of all fights they brawled with each other and they boxed with technique. Plus it was a unification match. De La Hoya vs Mayweather will be a one sided affair one will try to brawl while the other will be the thinker and out move and box the other, or it might be boring fight with a lot patient waits before a punch happens. Example Whittaker vs McGirt I, good fight but both fighters skilled fought the whole 12 rounds which sweet peat won anyway. Just my opinion....

Good Question

Answer 6

Dela Hoya -Trinadad was more anticipated than Hearns-Leonard!

Answer 7

De La Hoya-Mayweather that is gonna a good fight

Answer 8

de la hoya is a little girl,
go mayweather

Answer 9

I'll go with Dela Hoya. Simple. Humble. He will surely surprise his foe expect that. Watch his left hook and straight right punch

Answer 10

DE LA HOYA VS MAYWEATHER - FIGHT OF THE YEAR

HEARNS VS LEONARD - FIGHT OF THE CENTURY