Thomas Hearns

Thomas Hearns
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Hitman Motor City Cobra
Rated at	Welterweight Light middleweight Middleweight Super middleweight Light heavyweight Cruiserweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach	80 in (203 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1958-10-18) October 18, 1958 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	67
Wins	61
Wins by KO	48
Losses	5
Draws	1

Thomas "Tommy" Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is an American former professional boxer. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra" and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns' slender build allowed him to move up over fifty pounds in his career and become the first boxer in history to win world titles in four weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight. By later winning a super middleweight title, he also became the first to win five world titles in five weight divisions. Hearns was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1980 and 1984; the latter following his one-punch knockout of Roberto Durán. Hearns was known as a devastating puncher throughout his career, even at cruiserweight, despite having climbed up five weight classes.

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. 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

Main article: Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns

File:Tommy Hearns ca. Dec. 1981, Detroit Michigan USA.jpg

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 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, 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.

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), this Superbout is often labeled as the three greatest rounds in boxing 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. 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 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 materialized.

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 the 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' 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. 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

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. 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.

On June 23, 1997, Hearns appeared on a WWE 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."

On 10 April 1999, Hearns travelled to England and beat Nate Miller by unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout. In his next fight in April 2000 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 was forced to retire injured at the end of the round. The crowd booed and Hearns took the microphone and promised his fans that he would be back. Hearns fought twice more, winning both fights by TKO. His final fight was on 4 February 2006 against Shannon Landberg.

Hearns signs autographs in Houston in January 2014.

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 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 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 KOs), 5 Losses, 1 Draw
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, 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	3 (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), 2:45	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
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	1991-04-06	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	SD	12	1989-06-12	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBO super-middleweight title. For WBC super-middleweight title.
Win	46-3	James Kinchen	UD	12	1988-11-04	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won vacant WBO super-middleweight title. Won NABF super-middleweight title.
Loss	45-3	Iran Barkley	TKO	3 (12), 2:39	1988-06-06	Hilton Hotel, 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	Marvelous Marvin Hagler	TKO	3 (12), 1:52	1985-04-15	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	For WBC/WBA/IBF/The Ring middleweight titles.
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	KO	2 (12), 1:05	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
Win	36-1	Wilfred Benítez	UD	15	1982-12-03	Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana	Won WBC & vacant The Ring light-middleweight titles.
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.
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), 0:47	1980-03-02	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan	Won vacant USBA welterweight title.
Win	25-0	Jim Richards	KO	3 (10), 2:27	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 (?), ?	1979-01-31	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	15-0	Clyde Gray	TKO	10 (10), 2:03	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 (?), 2:59	1978-08-03	Detroit, Michigan
Win	10-0	Raul Aguirre	KO	3 (?), ?	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 (?), ?	1978-03-31	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	7-0	Ray Fields	TKO	2 (?), ?	1978-03-17	Detroit, Michigan
Win	6-0	Billy Goodwin	TKO	2 (?), ?	1978-02-17	Saginaw, Michigan
Win	5-0	Robert Adams	KO	3 (?), ?	1978-02-10	Detroit, Michigan
Win	4-0	Anthony House	KO	2 (?), ?	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	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