Thomas Hearns

Thomas Hearns

File:Thomas Hearns 2.jpg

Personal information

Real name: Thomas Hearns

Nickname(s): The Hitman Motor City Cobra

Nationality: American

Date of birth: (1958-10-18) October 18, 1958

Place of birth: Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Personal Statistics

Rated at: Welterweight Super Welterweight Middleweight Super Middleweight Light Heavyweight Cruiserweight

Reach: 78 in (198 cm)

Boxing career information

Thomas Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is a retired American professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra" and more famously "The Hitman," Hearns became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions. Hearns was named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 1980 and 1984 and is best known for his fights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Durán.

Early life

Born in Grand Junction, Tennessee on October 18, 1958, Hearns was 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.

Amateur career

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 world titles in five weight classes during his pro career, defeating future boxing hall of famers such as Pipino Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez, Virgil Hill and Roberto Durán. 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 Pipino 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

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 legendary 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. The following year, Leonard retired due to a detached retina caused by Hearns' jab and there would be no rematch until 1989.

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 (KO 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 the legendary 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.

Hearns vs. Hagler

During his time as Super Welterweight Champion, Hearns also ventured into the middleweight division, losing a legendary battle to Undisputed Middleweight Champion Marvin Hagler in 1985. Billed "The Fight" (later known as The War), this Superbout is commonly known as the 3 greatest rounds in history. The legendary 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. He did, however, manage to open a deep cut over Hagler's nose 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." The battle did go back and forth some, but Hearns was unable to capitalize on his early successes against Hagler, and the hand injury ultimately contributed to his undoing. After the injury, he was unable to throw the type of devastating right hand power punches for which he was known. As a result he began to use lateral movement and a good jab to keep Hagler at bay as best he could under the circumstances. This tactic worked fairly well, but in the third round a smiling Hearns turned his back on Hagler after an exchange. This grave mistake allowed Hagler to trap Hearns on 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 stopped the fight. Despite the loss, Hearns garnered a tremendous amount of respect from fans and boxing aficionados alike. Considering the popularity of the fight and the level of competition, a rematch seemed to be a foregone conclusion but never materialised.

Comeback

Hearns quickly made amends by dispatching undefeated rising star James "Black Gold" Shuler with a devastating first round knockout in 1986. Two weeks 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.

Other notable world title fights included the 6 knockdowns of three-time world champion Dennis Andries to win the WBC Light Heavyweight title in March 1987, his four-round destruction of the feared Juan Roldán (63-2) later that year to claim the WBC Middleweight title, his TKO "Ring Magazine 1988 upset of the year" loss to Iran Barkley in his first defense of that same title, and his win against James "the Heat" Kinchen (44-3) for the newly created WBO Super Middleweight title.

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. 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. Leonard later admitted that he believed Hearns had beaten him and that he was gifted the draw, stating the fighters were 1-1 in his book.

Later career

1991 would see one last great performance by the aging Hitman as he challenged the undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Virgil Hill. In Hill's 11th defense of the title, Hearns would return to his amateur roots and outbox the champion to win a convincing decision and add a sixth world title to his illustrious career.

On March 20, 1992, Hearns lost this title on a split decision to Iran Barkley but continued to compete and won his next 8 bouts.

On June 23, 1997, Hearns appeared on a WWE telecast, performing in a storyline making use of kayfabe, where he was taunted and challenged by professional wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart. Hearns "attacked" Jim Neidhart and knocked him down as he was standing in front of Hart. Officials then entered the ring and broke up the "confrontation."

On 10 April 1999, Hearns travelled to England and beat Nate Miller by unanimous decision to claim the vacant IBO Cruiserweight title. His first defense of this title was held on 8 April 2000, when he faced 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 survived the round but was forced to retire injured at the end of it. The crowd booed its displeasure and Hearn's took the microphone and promised his fans that he'd be back.

Hearns fought twice more, winning both fights by TKO. His final fight was on 4 February 2006 against Shannon Landberg.

Personal life

Hearns' 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 currently lives in Southfield, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit). 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 collectors 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.

Professional boxing record

61 Wins (48 knockouts), 5 Losses (4 knockouts), 1 Draw
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	61-5-1	Shannon Landberg	TKO	10 (10), 1:35	2006-02-04	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	60-5-1	John Long	TKO	9 (10)	2005-07-30	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Loss	59-5-1	Uriah Grant	RTD	2 (12), 3:00	2000-04-08	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Lost IBO Cruiserweight title.
Win	59-4-1	Nate Miller	UD	12	1999-04-10	M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester	Won vacant IBO Cruiserweight title.
Win	58-4-1	Jay Snyder	KO	1 (10), 1:28	1998-11-06	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win	57-4-1	Ed Dalton	KO	5 (10), 2:47	1997-01-31	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win	56-4-1	Karl Willis	KO	5 (10)	1996-11-29	Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke, Virginia
Win	55-4-1	Earl Butler	UD	10	1995-09-26	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	54-4-1	Lenny LaPaglia	TKO	1 (12), 2:55	1995-03-31	Detroit, Michigan	Won vacant WBU Cruiserweight title.
Win	53-4-1	Freddie Delgado	UD	12	1994-02-19	Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win	52-4-1	Dan Ward	TKO	1 (12), 2:09	1994-01-29	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won vacant NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win	51-4-1	Andrew Maynard	TKO	1 (10), 2:34	1993-11-06	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss	50-4-1	Iran Barkley	SD	12	1992-03-20	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost WBA Light Heavyweight title.
Win	50-3-1	Virgil Hill	UD	12	1991-06-03	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won WBA Light Heavyweight title.
Win	49-3-1	Ken Atkins	TKO	3 (10), 2:08	1991-06-03	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win	48-3-1	Kemper Morton	KO	2 (10), 2:02	1991-02-11	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
Win	47-3-1	Michael Olajide	UD	12	1990-04-28	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
Draw	46-3-1	Sugar Ray Leonard	PTS	12	1989-06-12	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBO Super Middleweight title. For WBC Super Middleweight title.
Win	46–3	James Kinchen	MD	12	1988-11-04	Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won NABF & vacant WBO Super Middleweight titles.
Loss	45–3	Iran Barkley	TKO	3 (12), 2:39	1988-06-06	Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost WBC Middleweight title.
Win	45–2	Juan Roldán	KO	4 (12), 2:01	1987-10-29	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won vacant WBC Middleweight title.
Win	44–2	Dennis Andries	TKO	10 (12), 1:26	1987-03-07	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan	Won WBC Light Heavyweight title.
Win	43–2	Doug DeWitt	UD	12	1986-10-17	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Retained NABF Middleweight title.
Win	42–2	Mark Medal	TKO	8 (12), 2:20	1986-06-23	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBC & The Ring Light Middleweight titles.
Win	41–2	James Shuler	KO	1 (12), 1:13	1986-03-10	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won NABF Middleweight title.
Loss	40–2	Marvin Hagler	TKO	3 (12), 1:52	1985-04-15	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	For WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring Middleweight titles. The Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year" (1985)
Win	40–1	Fred Hutchings	TKO	3 (15), 2:56	1984-09-15	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan	Retained WBC & The Ring Light Middleweight titles.
Win	39–1	Roberto Durán	TKO	2 (12)	1984-06-15	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBC & The Ring Light Middleweight titles.
Win	38–1	Luigi Minchillo	UD	12	1984-02-11	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Retained WBC & The Ring Light Middleweight titles.
Win	37–1	Murray Sutherland	UD	10	1983-07-10	Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained WBC & won vacant The Ring Light Middleweight titles.
Win	36–1	Wilfred Benítez	MD	15	1982-12-03	Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana	Won WBC Light Middleweight title.
Win	35–1	Jeff McCracken	TKO	8 (10), 1:29	1982-07-25	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan
Win	34–1	Marcos Geraldo	KO	1 (10), 1:48	1982-02-27	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	33–1	Ernie Singletary	UD	10	1981-12-11	Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau
Loss	32–1	Sugar Ray Leonard	TKO	14 (15), 1:45	1981-09-16	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost WBA Welterweight title. For WBC & The Ring Welterweight titles. The Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year" (1981)
Win	32–0	Pablo Baez	TKO	4 (15), 2:10	1981-06-25	Astrodome, Houston, Texas	Retained WBA Welterweight title.
Win	31–0	Randy Shields	TKO	12 (15), 3:00	1981-04-25	Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona	Retained WBA Welterweight title.
Win	30–0	Luis Primera	KO	6 (15), 2:00	1980-12-06	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Retained WBA Welterweight title.
Win	29–0	José Cuevas	TKO	2 (15), 2:39	1980-08-02	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Won WBA Welterweight title.
Win	28–0	Eddie Gazo	KO	1 (10), 2:41	1980-05-03	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan
Win	27–0	Santiago Valdez	TKO	1 (10), 2:56	1980-03-31	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	26–0	Ángel Espada	TKO	4 (12)	1980-03-02	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Won vacant USBA Welterweight title.
Win	25–0	Jim Richards	KO	3 (10)	1980-02-03	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	24–0	Mike Colbert	UD	10	1979-11-30	Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win	23–0	Saensak Muangsurin	TKO	3 (10), 2:31	1979-10-18	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	22–0	Jose Figueroa	KO	3 (10), 1:17	1979-09-22	Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California
Win	21–0	Inocencio Mao De la Rosa	RTD	2 (10)	1979-08-23	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win	20–0	Bruce Curry	RTD	3 (10), 2:59	1979-06-28	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	19–0	Harold Weston	RTD	6 (12)	1979-05-20	Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	18–0	Alfonso Hayman	UD	10	1979-04-03	The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	17–0	Segundo Murillo	TKO	8 (10), 2:25	1979-03-03	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	16–0	Sammy Ruckard	TKO	8 (10)	1979-01-31	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	15–0	Clyde Gray	TKO	10 (10)	1979-01-11	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	14–0	Rudy Barro	TKO	4 (10)	1978-12-09	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win	13–0	Pedro Rojas	TKO	1 (10), 1:09	1978-10-26	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	12–0	Bruce Finch	TKO	3 (10), 2:01	1978-09-07	Detroit, Michigan
Win	11–0	Eddie Marcelle	KO	2 (10), 2:59	1978-08-03	Detroit, Michigan
Win	10–0	Raul Aguirre	KO	3 (10)	1978-07-20	Detroit, Michigan
Win	9–0	Jimmy Rothwell	KO	1 (10)	1978-06-08	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win	8–0	Tyrone Phelps	KO	3 (8)	1978-03-31	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	7–0	Ray Fields	TKO	2 (8)	1978-03-17	Detroit, Michigan
Win	6–0	Billy Goodwin	TKO	2 (8)	1978-02-17	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	5–0	Robert Adams	KO	3 (8)	1978-02-10	Detroit, Michigan
Win	4–0	Anthony House	KO	2 (8)	1978-01-29	Knoxville, Tennessee
Win	3–0	Willie Wren	KO	3 (6)	1977-12-16	Detroit, Michigan
Win	2–0	Jerry Strickland	KO	3 (6)	1977-12-07	Mount Clemens, Michigan
Win	1–0	Jerome Hill	KO	2 (4)	1977-11-25	Detroit, Michigan	Hearns' professional debut

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

• WBA Welterweight Champion (147 lbs)
• WBC Light Middleweight Champion (154 lbs)
• WBC Light Heavyweight Champion (175 lbs)
• WBC Middleweight Champion (160 lbs)
• WBO Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
• WBA Light Heavyweight Champion (175 lbs)

Minor World Titles:

• WBU Cruiserweight Champion (200 lbs)
• IBO Cruiserweight Champion (200 lbs)

The Ring/Lineal Championship Titles:

• The Ring Light Middleweight Champion (154 lbs)

Regional/International Titles:

• USBA Welterweight Champion (147 lbs)
• NABF Middleweight Champion (160 lbs)
• NABF Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
• NABF Cruiserweight Champion (200 lbs)

See also

• List of boxing triple champions
• List of boxing quadruple champions
• List of boxing quintuple champions
• List of boxing sextuple champions

External links

• Thomas Hearns' Official Website
• Professional boxing record for Thomas Hearns from BoxRec
• Thomas Hearns' Amateur Boxing Record
• Highlight Video

Sporting positions
Preceded by Pipino Cuevas	WBA Welterweight Champion August 2, 1980 – September 16, 1981	Succeeded by Sugar Ray Leonard
Preceded by Wilfred Benítez	WBC Light Middleweight Champion December 3, 1982 – 1986 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Duane Thomas
Vacant Title last held by Sugar Ray Leonard	The Ring Light Middleweight Champion May 1983 – September 1986 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Oscar De La Hoya
Preceded by Dennis Andries	WBC Light Heavyweight Champion March 7, 1987 – November 27, 1987 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Donny Lalonde
Vacant Title last held by Sugar Ray Leonard	WBC Middleweight Champion October 29, 1987 – June 6, 1988	Succeeded by Iran Barkley
Inaugural Champion	WBO Super Middleweight Champion November 4, 1988 – April 28, 1990 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Chris Eubank
Preceded by Virgil Hill	WBA Light Heavyweight Champion June 3, 1991 – March 20, 1992	Succeeded by Iran Barkley
Vacant Title last held by Robert Daniels	IBO Cruiserweight Champion April 10, 1999 – April 8, 2000	Succeeded by Uriah Grant
Awards
Preceded by Sugar Ray Leonard	Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 1980	Succeeded by Sugar Ray Leonard & Salvador Sánchez
Preceded by Sugar Ray Leonard	BWAA Fighter of the Year 1980	Succeeded by Sugar Ray Leonard
Preceded by Marvin Hagler	Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 1984	Succeeded by Marvin Hagler & Donald Curry
Preceded by Marvin Hagler	BWAA Fighter of the Year 1984	Succeeded by Marvin Hagler