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Thomas Hearns
Ronald Reagan with boxer Thomas Hearns (cropped).jpg
Hearns at the White House in 1987
Statistics
Nickname(s)
  • The Hitman
  • Motor City Cobra
Rated at
  • Welterweight
  • Light middleweight
  • Middleweight
  • Super middleweight
  • Light heavyweight
  • Cruiserweight
Height 6 ft 1 in
Reach 78 in
Born (1958-10-18) October 18, 1958 (age 66)
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 a retired American professional boxer who fought from 1977 to 2006. He had two famous nicknames: the "Motor City Cobra" and "the Hitman." Hearns was tall and had long arms, which helped him a lot in the ring.

He was the first boxer in history to win world titles in five different weight classes. This was a huge achievement because it meant he could compete against both smaller and much larger opponents. The weight divisions he conquered were welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight.

Hearns was known for his incredibly powerful punches. He was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1980 and 1984. Because of his amazing career, he was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Thomas Hearns was born in Grand Junction, Tennessee. When he was five, his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. It was in Detroit that he started his boxing journey.

As an amateur boxer, Hearns was very successful. He had a record of 155 wins and only 8 losses. In 1977, he won two major championships: the National Amateur Athletic Union Light Welterweight Championship and the National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Championship.

Professional Boxing Career

Hearns turned professional in 1977 in Detroit. His trainer, Emanuel Steward, helped him change his style. He went from being a light-hitting boxer to one of the most powerful punchers the sport has ever seen.

During his career, Hearns won six major world titles. He defeated famous boxers like José "Pipino" Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez, Virgil Hill, and Roberto Durán. He started his career with a bang, knocking out his first 17 opponents.

In 1980, with a perfect record of 28 wins and 0 losses, Hearns fought José Cuevas for the world title. He won by TKO (technical knockout) in the second round, ending Cuevas's four-year reign as champion.

The Showdown: Hearns vs. Leonard

Tommy Hearns ca. Dec. 1981, Detroit Michigan USA
Hearns, center, in Detroit, December 1981.

In 1981, Hearns faced another champion, Sugar Ray Leonard. The fight was called "The Showdown." Both boxers were trying to unify the World Welterweight Championship. It was a huge event, and both fighters earned a lot of money.

Hearns was winning the fight on the judges' scorecards. But in the 13th round, Leonard came back strong and knocked Hearns through the ropes. In the 14th round, the referee stopped the fight, and Leonard won. This was Hearns's first loss as a professional.

Champion at Light Middleweight

After the loss to Leonard, Hearns moved up to a heavier weight class. In 1982, he fought the legendary Wilfred Benítez and won the WBC Super Welterweight title.

One of his most famous victories came in 1984 against Roberto Durán. Hearns knocked out Durán in just two rounds. He was the first boxer ever to knock out the tough and experienced Durán. This amazing win earned him his second "Fighter of the Year" award.

The War: Hagler vs. Hearns

In 1985, Hearns challenged the undisputed middleweight champion, Marvin Hagler. Their fight was simply called "The Fight," but it's now known as "The War." Many people say its first three minutes were the most exciting in boxing history.

Hearns started strong and even cut Hagler's forehead. But in the first round, Hearns broke his right hand. This made it very difficult for him to continue fighting with his usual power. In the third round, Hagler knocked Hearns down. Although Hearns got up, the referee stopped the fight. Even though he lost, Hearns earned a lot of respect for his bravery.

Comeback and More Titles

Hearns didn't let the loss to Hagler stop him. He came back and won more championships.

  • In 1987, he won the WBC light-heavyweight title.
  • Later that year, he won the WBC middleweight title. This made him a four-weight world champion.

In 1988, Hearns lost his middleweight title in a surprise upset to Iran Barkley. But he came back again. He defeated James Kinchen to win the WBO super-middleweight title. This was his fifth world title in a fifth weight class, a new record in boxing.

Rematch with Leonard

In 1989, Hearns finally got his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard. This time, they fought for the super-middleweight title. Hearns knocked Leonard down twice during the fight, once in the 3rd round and again in the 11th.

Many people who watched the fight thought Hearns had clearly won. However, the judges scored it as a draw. This result was very controversial, and fans still debate it today.

Later Career and Final Fights

Hearns continued to have great moments even late in his career. In 1991, he defeated the undefeated champion Virgil Hill to win the WBA light-heavyweight title. This was his sixth world title.

He lost the title in a rematch with his old rival, Iran Barkley, in 1992. Hearns continued to fight until 2006. One interesting moment happened in 1998 when he and his opponent, Jay Snyder, knocked each other down at the same time. Hearns got up and won the fight.

He also had a fun appearance on a WWF show in 1997. He got into a storyline with wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart over who was the real "Hitman."

Personal Life

Tommy Hearns signs autographs in Jan 2014
Hearns signs autographs in Houston in January 2014

Hearns's family is very involved in the Detroit sports world. His mother, Lois Hearns, is a fight promoter, and his son, Ronald Hearns, is also a boxer.

Hearns lives near Detroit and serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Detroit Police Department. He is also known for supporting U.S. soldiers by visiting them during the Gulf War.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
67 fights 61 wins 5 losses
By knockout 48 4
By decision 13 1
Draws 1
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 (12), 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.

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

  • WBA welterweight champion (147 lbs)
  • WBC light middleweight champion (154 lbs)
  • WBC middleweight champion (160 lbs)
  • WBO super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
  • WBA light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)
  • WBC light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)

The Ring magazine titles

  • The Ring light middleweight champion (154 lbs)

Minor world titles

  • IBO cruiserweight champion (200 lbs)
  • WBU cruiserweight champion (200 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Thomas Hearns para niños

  • List of boxing quintuple champions
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