If you grew up in Detroit you and watched boxing you were a Tommy "The Hit-man" Hearns fan and I was no different. You heard about the legendary gym wars at the Kronk where 6 time world champion Tommy was trained by hall of fame Emanual Steward. Tommy was the catalyst behind Kronk's popularity. He liked to knock guys out but he could also out box you if he had to, he was a very skilled boxer with a good jab. He had the whole city on his back and everyone crowed around the TV or the radio to cheer on their hometown hero. He was tall and lanky he had deceptive power for his size but it was devastating and that stunned many opponents. This is a man who left it all in the ring and held nothing back. Tommy was the first man to win world championships in 4 different weight classes. He was also the first man to win world titles in 5 different weight classes. He 1st took the WBA welterweight championship from Pipino Cuevas via vicious 2ND round KO. Then he acquired the WBC super welter weight from Wilfred Benitez. He won the WBC light heavyweight world title on March, 7, 1987 against Dennis Andries in the 10th round by KO. He also won the WBC middleweight championship against Juan Domingo Roldan and he also beat James Kinchen for the WBO super middleweight championship. He also beat then undefeated Light Heavyweight champion Virgil Hill, who was 30-0 at the time. He also crushed fellow legend Roberto Duran by 2nd round TKO with his devastating right hand. He had 2 memorable fights with Iran Barkley. He had many great wins but he is also defined by his losses to Sugar Ray Leonard, and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. He was on his way to a win against Sugar Ray Leonard in the welterweight epic battle until he got caught when he was tired in the 14th. He hurt Leonard several times in the fight and was out boxing him brilliantly. His heart came out every time he was hurt so he would just bang it out with you and not hold on which is the safe thing to do. He fought Ray years later and they gave Ray a draw which was bullshit. Leonard even admitted himself that he lost that fight. The war with Hagler was for the middleweight title and the two fighters took it personally. It was ultra violent from the start. Hearns hurt Hagler and Hagler hurt Hearns time and time again. The fight was very bloody and there was no way this was going to go to the cards somebody was going to get knocked out. The fight ended early with Hagler knocking out The Hitman in the 3rd round. After the fight they embraced for a moment after the great battle they spilled blood over each man with a new respect for the other. If you haven't seen that fight you have to look it up on You tube. It is one of those great classics in boxing history. I met Tommy years later and told him the game misses him and we would never forget his great style and heart. You can catch Tommy court side at almost every home Detroit Piston game or at local fights. He still walks with a certain swagger and confidence about him, so if you didn't know who he is you would ask your self who is he, he must be famous. All you new-school guys have to keep up on your history and read or watch tape on the greats like Tommy Hearns or you can't call yourself a boxing fan.
Nick Thomas deathwish72@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment