Thomas Hearns

Thomas Hearns
Hearns at Planet Hollywood, 2009
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Hitman Motor City Cobra
Weight(s)	Welterweight Light middleweight Middleweight Super middleweight Light heavyweight Cruiserweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach	78 in (198 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1958-10-18) October 18, 1958 (age 62) Grand Junction, Tennessee, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	67
Wins	61
Wins by KO	48
Losses	5
Draws	1

Thomas Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra", and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns's tall, slender build and oversized arms and shoulders allowed him to move up over fifty pounds in his career and become the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.

Hearns was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1980 and 1984; the latter following his knockout of Roberto Durán. Hearns was known as a devastating puncher throughout his career, even at cruiserweight, despite having climbed up five weight classes. He is ranked number 18 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.^[1] He currently ranks #92 in BoxRec ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.^[2] On June 10, 2012, Hearns was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.^[3]

Early life[]

Hearns was born in Grand Junction, Tennessee, on October 18, 1958,^[4] the youngest of three children in his mother's first marriage. With her second marriage, six children joined the first three. On her own, Mrs. Hearns raised Tommy and his siblings in Grand Junction until Tommy was five years old; then the family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Hearns had an amateur record of 155–8. In 1977, he won the National Amateur Athletic Union Light Welterweight Championship, defeating Bobby Joe Young of Steubenville, Ohio, in the finals. He also won the 1977 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Championship.

Professional career[]

Hearns began his professional boxing career in Detroit, Michigan, under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward in 1977. Steward had changed Hearns from a light hitting amateur boxer to one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history.

He won six major world titles in five weight classes during his pro career, defeating future boxing hall of famers such as José "Pipino" Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez, Virgil Hill and Roberto Durán. In addition, he won the IBO title at Cruiserweight.

Hearns started his career by knocking out his first 17 opponents. In 1980, Hearns carried his 28–0 record into a world title match against Mexico's Cuevas. Hearns ended Cuevas's 4-year reign by beating him by TKO in the second round. Hearns was voted "Fighter of the Year" by Ring Magazine in 1980.

Hearns vs. Leonard[]

Hearns, center, in Detroit, December 1981

In 1981, Hearns the WBA Champion, with a 32–0 record (30 KOs), fought WBC Champion Sugar Ray Leonard (30–1) to unify the World Welterweight Championship in a bout dubbed "The Showdown." In this fight, Hearns suffered his first professional defeat when Leonard stopped him in the 14th round. In the 13th round, Leonard, behind on points on all 3 judges scorecards, needed a knockout to win. He came on strong and put Hearns through the ropes at the end of the round. Hearns was dazed, totally out of gas and received a count but was saved by the bell. Leonard, with his left eye shut and time running out, resumed his attack in the 14th. Hearns started the round boxing and moving, but after staggering Hearns with an overhand right, Leonard pinned Hearns against the ropes. After another combination to the body and head, referee Davey Pearl stopped the fight. Hearns and Leonard banked a combined 17 million dollars for the fight, making it the largest purse in sports history at the time. The following year, Leonard retired due to a detached retina, and there would be no rematch until 1989.^[5]

Light Middleweight Champion[]

Hearns moved up in weight and won the WBC Super Welterweight (154 lb) title from boxing legend and three-time world champion Wilfred Benítez (44–1–1) in New Orleans in December 1982, and defended that title against European Champion Luigi Minchillo (42–1) (W 12), Roberto Durán (TKO 2), no.1 contender Fred Hutchings (29–1) (KO 3) and #1 contender Mark Medal (26–2) (TKO 8). During his reign at this weight, the 2 round destruction of Roberto Durán, in which he became the first boxer to KO Durán, is seen as his pinnacle achievement, earning him his second Ring Magazine "Fighter of the Year" award in 1984.^[6]

Hagler vs Hearns[]

While remaining super-welterweight (light-middleweight) champion, Hearns ventured into the middleweight division to challenge undisputed middleweight champion Marvin Hagler in 1985. Billed "The Fight" (later known as "The War"),^[7] this bout has often been labeled as the three greatest rounds in boxing history.^[7][8] The battle elevated both fighters to superstar status. Hearns was able to stun Hagler soon after the opening bell, but he subsequently broke his right hand in the first round.^[9] He did, however, manage to open a deep cut on Hagler's forehead that caused the ring doctor to consider a stoppage. The fight, however, was allowed to continue at this point, with the ringside commentators remarking on the fact that, "the last thing Hagler wants or needs is for this fight to be stopped on a cut."^[10] The battle did go back and forth some, but Hearns was unable to capitalize on his early successes against Hagler. As a result of breaking his right hand, Hearns began to use lateral movement and a good jab to keep Hagler at bay as best he could. This tactic worked fairly well, but in the third round Hagler staggered Hearns and managed to catch him against the ropes, where a crushing right hand by Hagler knocked Hearns down. Hearns beat the count but was clearly unable to continue and the referee decided to stop the fight. Despite the loss, Hearns garnered a tremendous amount of respect from fans and boxing aficionados alike.^[11] Considering the popularity of the fight and the level of competition, a rematch seemed to be a foregone conclusion and was highly anticipated, but it never took place.^[12][13]

Comeback[]

Hearns quickly made amends by dispatching undefeated rising star James "Black Gold" Shuler with a devastating first-round knockout in 1986. One week after the fight, Shuler was killed in a motorcycle accident. Hearns presented the NABF championship belt to Shuler's family at his funeral, saying he deserved to keep the belt as he had held it longer than Hearns.

In March 1987, Hearns scored six knockdowns of Dennis Andries to win the WBC light-heavyweight title with a tenth round stoppage at Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan. Later that year, his four-round destruction of Juan Roldán (63–2) to claim the vacant WBC middleweight title made Hearns a four-weight world champion.

In a huge upset, Hearns lost his WBC middleweight title to Iran Barkley via a third-round TKO in June 1988 in a bout Ring Magazine named 1988 Upset of the Year. In November that year, Hearns returned to win another world title, defeating James Kinchen (44–3) via a majority decision to win the inaugural WBO super-middleweight title. Hearns became the first boxer to win a world title in five weight divisions.

Rematch with Leonard[]

Hearns had to wait until 1989 for a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, this time for Leonard's WBC super-middleweight title and Hearns's WBO title. This was Hearns's sixth Superfight, a fight which much of the public believed Hearns won, flooring Leonard in both the 3rd and 11th rounds. However, the judges scored the fight a controversial draw.^[14]

Later career[]

Hearns had one last great performance in 1991, as he challenged the undefeated WBA light-heavyweight champion Virgil Hill. In Hill's eleventh defense of the title, Hearns returned to his amateur roots and outboxed the champion to win a convincing decision and add a sixth world title to his illustrious career.^[15] On March 20, 1992, Hearns lost this title on a split decision to old foe Iran Barkley but continued to compete and won his next 8 bouts.^[16]

On June 23, 1997, Hearns appeared on a WWF telecast, performing in a storyline where he was taunted and challenged by professional wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart, who claimed that Hearns "stole" the "Hitman" nickname. Hearns ended up "attacking" Jim Neidhart and knocking him down with a series of punches before officials entered the ring and broke up the "confrontation."^[17]

On November 6, 1998, Hearns had a boxing fight which featured a rare, . In it, Hearns and opponent Jay Snyder landed punches simultaneously during the very first round, Hearns a devastating right hand to Snyder's chin and Snyder a left jab to Hearns's chin. Hearns was able to get up before the referee's count reached ten seconds; Snyder was not and Hearns won by first round knockout.^[18]

On 10 April 1999, Hearns travelled to England and beat Nate Miller by unanimous decision to win the IBO cruiserweight title.^[19] In his next fight in April 2000 he lost the title to Uriah Grant. The first round was competitive, with Hearns appearing hurt by a solid right to the jaw. Both fighters traded blows in the second round until Hearns appeared to injure his right ankle. He was forced to retire injured at the end of the round.^[20] The crowd booed and Hearns took the microphone and promised his fans that he would be back.^[21] Hearns fought twice more, winning both fights by TKO. His final fight was on 4 February 2006 against Shannon Landberg.^[22]

Personal life[]

Hearns signs autographs in Houston in January 2014

Hearns's family is a fixture on the Detroit sports scene. His mother, Lois Hearns, is a fight promoter. Their company, Hearns Entertainment, has promoted many cards, including the Mike Tyson–Andrew Golota bout in 2000. His son Ronald Hearns is also a boxer, and he fought on the undercard of his father's last couple of fights. Hearns lives in Southfield, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit). Hearns serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Detroit Police Department.

Due to personal financial issues, Hearns was forced to auction off his possessions at The Auction Block of Detroit, Michigan, on April 3, 2010. Items included were a 1957 Chevy, 47' Fountain boat, and a slew of collectible memorabilia. His debt to the IRS was $250,000. He took responsibility for repaying the entire debt, which he said was accrued from being overly generous toward his large extended family.^[23]

Professional boxing record[]

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
67	Win	61–5–1	Shannon Landberg	TKO	10 (10), 1:35	Feb 4, 2006	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
66	Win	60–5–1	John Long	TKO	9 (10)	Jul 30, 2005	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
65	Loss	59–5–1	Uriah Grant	RTD	3 (12), 3:00	Apr 8, 2000	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Lost IBO cruiserweight title
64	Win	59–4–1	Nate Miller	UD	12	Apr 10, 1999	MEN Arena, Manchester, England	Won vacant IBO cruiserweight title
63	Win	58–4–1	Jay Snyder	KO	1 (10), 1:28	Nov 6, 1998	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
62	Win	57–4–1	Ed Dalton	KO	5 (10), 2:47	Jan 31, 1997	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
61	Win	56–4–1	Karl Willis	KO	5 (10), 2:45	Nov 29, 1996	Civic Center, Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
60	Win	55–4–1	Earl Butler	UD	10	Sep 26, 1995	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
59	Win	54–4–1	Lenny LaPaglia	TKO	1 (12), 2:55	Mar 31, 1995	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won vacant WBU cruiserweight title
58	Win	53–4–1	Freddie Delgado	UD	12	Feb 19, 1994	Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.	Retained NABF cruiserweight title
57	Win	52–4–1	Dan Ward	TKO	1 (12), 2:09	Jan 29, 1994	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant NABF cruiserweight title
56	Win	51–4–1	Andrew Maynard	TKO	1 (10), 2:34	Nov 6, 1993	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
55	Loss	50–4–1	Iran Barkley	SD	12	Mar 20, 1992	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBA light heavyweight title
54	Win	50–3–1	Virgil Hill	UD	12	Jun 3, 1991	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBA light heavyweight title
53	Win	49–3–1	Ken Atkins	TKO	3 (10), 2:08	Apr 6, 1991	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
52	Win	48–3–1	Kemper Morton	KO	2 (10), 2:02	Feb 11, 1991	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
51	Win	47–3–1	Michael Olajide	UD	12	Apr 28, 1990	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Retained WBO super middleweight title
50	Draw	46–3–1	Sugar Ray Leonard	SD	12	Jun 12, 1989	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBO super middleweight title; For WBC super middleweight title
49	Win	46–3	James Kinchen	MD	12	Nov 4, 1988	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Won NABF and inaugural WBO super middleweight titles
48	Loss	45–3	Iran Barkley	TKO	3 (12), 2:39	Jun 6, 1988	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC middleweight title
47	Win	45–2	Juan Roldán	KO	4 (12), 2:01	Oct 29, 1987	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBC middleweight title
46	Win	44–2	Dennis Andries	TKO	10 (12), 1:26	Mar 7, 1987	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won WBC light heavyweight title
45	Win	43–2	Doug DeWitt	UD	12	Oct 17, 1986	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained NABF middleweight title
44	Win	42–2	Mark Medal	TKO	8 (12), 2:20	Jun 23, 1986	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles
43	Win	41–2	James Shuler	KO	1 (12), 1:13	Mar 10, 1986	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won NABF middleweight title
42	Loss	40–2	Marvin Hagler	TKO	3 (12), 1:52	Apr 15, 1985	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring middleweight titles
41	Win	40–1	Fred Hutchings	TKO	3 (15), 2:56	Sep 15, 1984	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.	Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles
40	Win	39–1	Roberto Durán	TKO	2 (12), 1:05	Jun 15, 1984	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles
39	Win	38–1	Luigi Minchillo	UD	12	Feb 11, 1984	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles
38	Win	37–1	Murray Sutherland	UD	10	Jul 10, 1983	Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
37	Win	36–1	Wilfred Benítez	MD	15	Dec 3, 1982	Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Won WBC and vacant The Ring light middleweight titles
36	Win	35–1	Jeff McCracken	TKO	8 (10), 1:29	Jul 25, 1982	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
35	Win	34–1	Marcos Geraldo	KO	1 (10), 1:48	Feb 27, 1982	The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
34	Win	33–1	Ernie Singletary	UD	10	Dec 11, 1981	Queen Elizabeth's Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas
33	Loss	32–1	Sugar Ray Leonard	TKO	14 (15), 1:45	Sep 16, 1981	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBA welterweight title; For WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
32	Win	32–0	Pablo Baez	TKO	4 (15), 2:10	Jun 25, 1981	Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S.	Retained WBA welterweight title
31	Win	31–0	Randy Shields	TKO	12 (15), 3:00	Apr 25, 1981	Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.	Retained WBA welterweight title
30	Win	30–0	Luis Primera	KO	6 (15), 2:00	Dec 6, 1980	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained WBA welterweight title
29	Win	29–0	José Cuevas	TKO	2 (15), 2:39	Aug 2, 1980	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won WBA welterweight title
28	Win	28–0	Eddie Gazo	KO	1 (10), 2:41	May 3, 1980	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
27	Win	27–0	Santiago Valdez	TKO	1 (10), 2:56	Mar 31, 1980	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26	Win	26–0	Ángel Espada	TKO	4 (12), 0:47	Mar 2, 1980	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won vacant USBA welterweight title
25	Win	25–0	Jim Richards	KO	3 (10), 2:27	Feb 3, 1980	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24	Win	24–0	Mike Colbert	UD	10	Nov 30, 1979	Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
23	Win	23–0	Saensak Muangsurin	TKO	3 (10), 2:31	Oct 18, 1979	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
22	Win	22–0	José Figueroa	KO	3 (10), 1:17	Sep 22, 1979	Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
21	Win	21–0	Inocencio De la Rosa	RTD	2 (10)	Aug 23, 1979	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
20	Win	20–0	Bruce Curry	KO	3 (10), 2:59	Jun 28, 1979	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
19	Win	19–0	Harold Weston	RTD	6 (12)	May 20, 1979	Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18	Win	18–0	Alfonso Hayman	UD	10	Apr 3, 1979	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Segundo Murillo	TKO	8 (10), 2:25	Mar 3, 1979	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Sammy Ruckard	TKO	8 (10)	Jan 31, 1979	Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Clyde Gray	TKO	10 (10), 2:03	Jan 11, 1979	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Rudy Barro	KO	4 (10)	Dec 9, 1978	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Pedro Rojas	TKO	1 (10), 1:09	Oct 26, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Bruce Finch	KO	3 (10), 2:01	Sep 7, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Eddie Marcelle	KO	2 (10), 2:59	Aug 3, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Raul Aguirre	KO	2 (10), 2:08	Jul 20, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Jimmy Rothwell	KO	1 (10), 1:49	Jun 8, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Tyrone Phelps	TKO	3 (10), 2:08	Mar 31, 1978	Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Ray Fields	TKO	2, 2:15	Mar 17, 1978	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Billy Goodwin	TKO	2, 1:18	Feb 17, 1978	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Robert Adams	TKO	3 (6), 2:45	Feb 10, 1978	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Anthony House	KO	2, 2:00	Jan 29, 1978	Hyatt Regency, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Willie Wren	TKO	3 (6), 2:41	Dec 16, 1977	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Jerry Strickland	KO	3 (6), 1:27	Dec 7, 1977	Hillcrest Country Club, Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Jerome Hill	KO	2 (4), 1:59	Nov 25, 1977	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

See also[]

• List of boxing quintuple champions

References[]

External links[]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Thomas Hearns

• Official website
• Boxing record for Thomas Hearns from BoxRec
• Thomas Hearns amateur boxing record
• Thomas Hearns profile at Cyber Boxing Zone