Who would win if Thomas Hearns fought Carmen Basilio in their prime?

Question

Who would win if Thomas Hearns fought Carmen Basilio in their prime?

Answer 1

The Upstate Onion Farmer would put Hearns to sleep.

Answer 2

at welter, i will go with tommy hearns, and i didn't arrive at that conclusion lightly, but i believe that based on all his performances at welter, particularly against leonard, that the hit man had the edge here.

at middleweight, they would probably split two fights...a-la basilio vs robinson.

Answer 3

Thomas Hearns

Answer 4

Hearns was much taller amd much faster but it would be a good fight. Basilio wouldn't go quietly but Hearns would land enough punches to win on the cards.

Answer 5

Great matchup.  Basillio is one of the toughest fighters ever to step into the ring and feared nobody giving great accounts of himself particularly against the great Sugar Ray Robinson and beating him once for the title.  Hearns was a great boxer and of course is well known for the dynamite in his right hand.  Hearns is well known for his great fights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran.  In this fight, I could see Hearns using his jab effectively against the aggressive Basillio who would press forward and land hard punches against the Hitman.  I believe in the early part of the fight, Hearns would win most of the rounds with Basillio coming on strong from about round 7 on.  The biggest difference between these two is endurance and stamina and Basillio had more than Hearns.  I can see Basillio winning by split decision in a great fight.