Boxing

Thomas Hearns

Thomas Hitman Hearns

Thomas Hearns is one of boxing's most decorated fighters who picked up wins over Roberto Duran and Virgil Hill during his hugely successful career.

Thomas Hearns is a record-breaking former four weight world champion. In 1987, with his dominant victory over Juan Roldan, he became the first fighter to win world titles in four different weight classes.

Nicknamed 'The Hitman', Hearns had an incredibly long and successful career which lasted from 1977 until 2006.
During that time, he was known for his devastating right hand which produced plenty of brutal knockouts.

The American began training with Emmanuel Steward at the famed Kronk Gym as a teenager, which now trains Tyson Fury. Steward altered Hearns from a skilful boxer into one of the hardest-hitting fighters of all time.

Hearns' body type allowed him to move successfully up the weight classes. He began as a welterweight, but his slim build and 6ft 1in height meant he could bulk up and challenge for heavier belts. He even ended his career as a cruiserweight.

'The Hitman' was placed in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012. He fought some of the greatest athletes of all time, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.

His three rounds against Hagler are regarded as the best in the history of the sport. Hearns is ranked 18th on The Ring Magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.

The greatest hits: Leonard, Duran and Hagler

In September 1981, Hearns took on fellow American Sugar Ray Leonard in a fight billed as 'The Showdown'. Hearns' WBA welterweight title was on the line, as well as Leonard's WBC strap.
Hearns put in a convincing start which saw him rack up a solid lead on the judges' scorecards by round six. He was hurt by Leonard in round seven, but 'The Hitman' managed to fight back and survive.
By the latter rounds, Hearns had gained a substantial lead. Leonard was forced to go for the knockout, which he managed in round 14. The referee had to wave off the bout after Leonard dropped Hearns with a stunning combination.
The event was a worldwide success, garnering over 300 million TV viewers.
Hearns seemed to win their long-awaited rematch in 1989, but the fight was controversially scored a draw.

Following his first defeat to Leonard, Hearns moved up to super welterweight. He soon became the WBC champion and had to defend his title against legendary Panama opponent Roberto Duran, in a fight billed as 'Malice in the Palace'.

Hearns used his height and reach advantage to effectively keep Duran at bay. Hearns dominated the first round and continued his offence in the second. He dropped Duran with a brutal right hand and the fight was waved off.
It was the first time Duran had been knocked out in his career and it earned Hearns his second 'Fighter of the Year' award.
In April 1985, 'The Hitman' took on Marvin Hagler at middleweight. The bout proved to be the best three rounds in the history of the sport.
The first round saw the duo trade plenty of power punches right from the start. Neither fighter showed any regard for defence or pacing. During these early exchanges, Hearns broke his famous right hand which put him at a disadvantage.
Hearns cut Hagler's head in the first round but by the second his legs were gone. Hagler pounced on this chance, keeping Hearns against the ropes.
In the third and final round, Hearns was caught with a massive right hook which stunned him. Hagler threw two big uppercuts which floored Hearns, causing the ref to end the bout.
The pair wrote themselves into the history books that day and cemented their place as boxing legends.

Thomas Hearns and Evander Holyfield

Comeback

'The Hitman' recovered from the Hagler defeat to become WBC light heavyweight champion with a brutal victory over Dennis Andries.
He made history later that year with a four-round destruction of Juan Roldan which gave him the WBC middleweight title. That win saw him crowned as the first fighter to pick up world titles in four different weight categories.
Hearns' last impressive performance was a convincing victory over undefeated light heavyweight champion Virgil Hill in 1991.
Hearns retired as one of the sport's greatest legends in 2006. He hung up his gloves with a record of 65-5-1 (48 KOs).

Thomas Hearns' net worth

Hearns made a reported $45million during his career but spent most of it on his large extended family. Due to his financial issues, he was forced to auction off some of his prized belongings in 2010.

Thomas Hearns personal life

'The Hitman' was born in Memphis, Tennesse but moved to Detroit, Michigan with his family when he was young. He took up boxing at age 10 and began training with the infamous Kronk Gym as a teenager.

His family is well-known in the city of Detroit. Alongside his mother, he worked on Hearns Entertainment, which promoted the Mike Tyson-Andrew Golota bout in 2000.

Hearns' son Ronald followed in his footsteps by becoming a professional boxer. He fought from 2004 until 2015 and retired with a record of 28-6 (22 KOs).

Thomas Hearns Ronald Hearns

Thomas Hearns amateur career

Before turning pro in 1977, Hearns gained a stunning amateur record of 155-8. He also won the National Golden Gloves championship at light welterweight.

Thomas Hearns News