Hardest punchers in boxing - Tommy Hearns vs Roberto Duran, (second round knockout) presented by MosleyBoxing! Hearns and Duran were at diametrically opposed positions on the arcs of their respective careers. Duran, at 33, came into the ring past his peak and something less than highly motivated, while Hearns, just 25, was primed and arguably never sharper. From the opening bell, “The Hitman” took control, backing the smaller man up with aggressive footwork and a hard left jab, making excellent use of his 12 inch reach advantage. Generally a slow starter, Duran looked to take his time and find his rhythm but the taller, stronger, more assertive Hearns never gave him a chance.

With a minute left in the opener Hearns struck with two hard rights and chased Duran into the ropes. While the clearly uncomfortable Panamanian smiled and mugged, Hearns stalked and threw heavy punches with abandon, opening a cut over Roberto’s left eye. All in all, it was a disheartening opening round for Roberto and his fans, but it was about to get worse. Forcing Duran to retreat, Hearns got home a hard right to the head followed by a left to the body, and the combination clearly shook the smiling Duran. A jab to the belly landed flush and a second one brought Roberto’s hands down to parry it. Anticipating the opening, Hearns immediately smashed Duran on the jaw with a vicious straight right that floored the former lightweight terror for only the third time in his long career.

Duran beat the count but his body language and facial expression told everyone he was in deep trouble. His legs were gone, a fact confirmed when he tumbled to the canvas a second time as Hearns threw a relentless torrent of punches. Roberto rose again and, saved from further punishment by the bell, provided a comic image as he waved defiantly at Hearns while marching on unsteady pins to the wrong corner. Round two saw the fulfillment of Hearns’ prediction. Give Duran credit: he bravely stood his ground with his bigge..