Legends Of Boxing: Thomas Hearns

Detroit is home to numerous sports legends, which is great for a blue-collar town in the Rust Belt. Take your pick from the various names associated with the Motor City: Steve Yzerman, Miguel Cabrera, or even Calvin Johnson. The list of superstar athletes is endless, with another star at the helm: Thomas Hearns (61-5-1).

“Hitman” has made his living using his tall, lanky frame as a strength. With sweeping crosses and jabs, he would decimate his opponents in the ring. Mixing in fast combinations, Hearns was a tough foe to beat.

What made the “Motor City Cobra” special in the ring? What were his most memorable fights? In a blue-collar town where hard-working athletes are honored for their craft, Hearns is one of the most underrated people in Detroit sports history.

Thomas Hearns’s Accomplishments and Strengths

For a super welterweight fighter, Thomas Hearns was surprisingly tall. He stood at 6’1″ and had a 78″ reach, making him a challenge for any opponent. But his physical attributes weren’t the only thing that made “Hitman” stand out.

As mentioned earlier, he had a unique fighting style. With his overarching frame and quick movements, Hearns would move around the ring, punishing opponents with his lightning-fast jabs. Once they were weakened, he’d hit them with a devastating cross, winning the fight.

That’s a testament to the 48 career knockouts he has, making him one of the most dangerous boxers around. That’s how he won championships in five major divisions, making him the first fighter in boxing history to achieve this.

“Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns

The most famous rivalry for Thomas Hearns was none other than “Sugar” Ray Leonard. Leonard proved to be a worthy adversary for “Hitman,” going 1-0-1 against the Detroit native. But both fights had noteworthy attributes, making them memorable among boxing fans.

The first bout was The Showdown on September 16, 1981, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. The bout was for the WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles, marking a mammoth match between Leonard and Hearns.

Hearns had the size advantage over Leonard, with the Maryland native standing at 5’9″. However, that didn’t deter “Sugar” from defeating the Detroit native in the 14th round, winning by TKO. In turn, Leonard became the WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight champion.

The rematch went down eight years later on June 12, 1989, at Caesar’s Palace. The result was different this time, with an even draw happening. Hearns retained his WBO super middleweight champion but dealt with a major distraction. His brother, Henry was arrested for shooting his girlfriend to death at Thomas’s house in Detroit.

Thomas Hearns’s Impact

Joe Louis is the most well-known boxer in Detroit. His contributions to the boxing world were significant, taking down legendary fighters like Max Schmeling. However, Detroiters can’t forget the significance of Hearn’s career.

He was a physical specimen who took advantage of his large frame to beat his opponents. His stature led him to win numerous titles, giving hope to physically unique boxers across the globe. Hearns also served as a poster child for boxing success in Detroit, continuing the legacy that Louis started.

It’s not easy being one of the more underrated fighters in a sport. People don’t remember your name as much and it adds a chip to your shoulder. But Hearns deserves more recognition for his accomplishments, making him stand out across the boxing world. That’s especially true in Detroit, where sports is an essential part of life.