Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns
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The two fights between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in 1981 and 1989 were among the most eagerly anticipated confrontations in the history of boxing.
[edit] The Showdown
Leonard had won the WBC's world Welterweight title with a win over Wilfredo Benitez in 1979, lost it to Roberto Duran in 1980 and regained it from the same foe at the No Más Fight later that same year. In 1981, Leonard went on a short stint in the Jr. Middleweight division, where he conquered the WBA's world championship, beating the world champion, Ugandan Ayub Kalule, by knock out in round nine.
Hearns had won the WBA's world Welterweight championship in 1980, knocking out Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas in round two, at Detroit. He kept busy defending his crown for the next year, fending off challenges from Randy Shields, Pablo Baez and Luis Primera.
Because Leonard was seen as a speedy boxer-puncher, and Hearns as an aggressive boxer with a devastating right hand, the public clamored for this fight to happen. After the contracts were signed by both boxers, many magazines wrote articles publicising the fight, labelling it The Showdown.
Their first fight was on September 16, 1981 at Caesar's Palace hotel in Las Vegas. Hotels and motels in that city were filled with fans hoping to get tickets.
The fight began as expected, Leonard boxing from a distance, and Hearns head hunting with his tremendous reach. By the end of round five, Leonard showed a swollen portion under his left eye, and Hearns had built a sizeable lead on the cards. Leonard, changing into the aggressor mode, hurt Hearns in the sixth. Rounds six, seven, and eight were huge rounds for Leonard, but Hearns miraculously regrouped and erected a big lead by the end of round 12. By then, Leonard's left eye was already badly swollen due to the lancing jabs of Hearns. Between rounds 12 and 13 that Leonard's trainer, boxing hall of famer Angelo Dundee, said the now legendary words of "You're blowing it, son!! You're blowing it!!" to his protege.
Leonard was reinvigorated by these words, and he came out roaring for the 13th round. After hurting Hearns with a right, Leonard exploded with a combination of punches and sent Hearns through the ropes. Hearns managed to rise, but was dropped again near the end of the round.
Hearns was spent by the beginning of round 14, and Leonard pinned him against the ropes, where he unleashed another furious combination, prompting referee Davey Pearl to stop the contest and award Sugar Ray Leonard the unified world Welterweight championship via technical knockout in round 14.
The fight had deep consequences for both fighters: The following spring, Leonard discovered that he had suffered a detached retina, for which he was forced to retire (for the first time) in 1982. He would have a several comebacks one unsuccessful in 1984, and another successful on in 1987 upsetting Middleweight king Marvin Hagler , but afterwards he never sustained consistent success.
Hearns went on to win more world championships, and he was involved in super-fights against Benitez, Duran and Marvin Hagler. But he still felt some resentment against Leonard, believing that it would have been him getting all the endorsements had Leonard not beaten him.
[edit] Leonard-Hearns II
Their rematch finally came along eight years later, on June 12, 1989, again at Caesar's Palace. Despite the fact that both fighters were considered by many to be over the hill, the fight still raised much interest from boxing fans around the world.
Hearns dropped Leonard in round 3, and again in round 11. But Leonard hurt Hearns in round 5, and a barrage of punches by Leonard late in round 12 had Hearns reeling against the ropes. After 12 rounds, the judges scored the fight a draw. The decision was controversial. Most felt Hearns had done enough to get the decision. Leonard has even said that in his mind, he and Hearns are one and one. Following this rematch, both men continued to box, and in 1991 they squared off against younger opponents, with opposite results. Hearns once again recaptured a championship belt by defeating Virgil Hill, while Leonard was soundly beaten by Terry Norris.
Currently, Sugar Ray Leonard is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Hearns isn't, because he has continued to box, but all agree that he will join Leonard there in due time.
Their rivalry is remembered by many critics and fans as one of the greatest in boxing history.
