Thomas Hearns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Thomas Hearns | |
 |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Thomas Hearns |
| Nickname | Hitman, Motor City Cobra |
| Weight | Welterweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | October 18, 1958 |
| Birth place | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Style | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 67 |
| Wins | 61 |
| Wins by KO | 48 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Thomas Hearns (born October 18, 1958, in Memphis, Tennessee), is an American 7-time world champion professional boxer.
Blessed with exceptional height (6'1"), a broad back, and unusually long arms, Hearns has been known for his destructive punching power. His promotional fight names are "Thomas Hit Man Hearns," and "The Motor City Cobra."
He is known best for his devastating right hand, and for carrying his left hand low- a stance he uses to lure foes into an exchange, as well as to maximize the speed and change the angle of his jab, a technique called the "flicker jab". He has scored many memorable knockouts in his career, and is widely considered as one of the best boxers of all-time.
Hearns has an outstanding amateur record of 155-8.
Contents |
[edit] Amateur Career
In 1977 Hearns was named the National Amateur Athletic Union Light Welterweight champion, defeating Bobby Joe Young of Steubenville, OH , in the finals.
[edit] Professional Career
Hearns began his professional boxing career in Detroit, Michigan, under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward in 1977.
He won seven world championships in six weight classes during his pro career, beating such notables as Roberto Duran, Virgil Hill, Dennis Bolton and Mark Medal.
He won his first championship by KO'ing Pipino Cuevas in the 2nd round of their fight in 1980. After defending the World Boxing Association championship three times aginst Luis Primera, Randy Shields, and Pablo Baez.
He won the world boxing association championship junior middleweight title from Wilfred Benitez in New Orleans in December 1982 and defended that title against Luigi Minchillo, Roberto Duran, Fred Hutchings, and Mark Medal. During his reign at this weight, he also ventured into the middleweight division as well. His rival in that class was world champion Marvin Hagler.
Other notable title fights included his 10th-round TKO of Dennis Andries to win the world boxing association championship light heavyweight title in March 1987, his four-round destruction of the feared Juan Roldan later that year to claim the vacant WBC middleweight title, his TKO upset loss to Iran Barkley in his first defense of that same title, his convincing decision against Virgil Hill to win Hill's WBA light heavyweight title in 1991, and his rematch loss to Barkley in 1992.
Despite having a top-class record, including a 2nd round KO of Roberto Duran, Hearns was frequently overshadowed by his loss to both Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler, despite putting in stellar performances against both. In his 1981 welterweight unification fight against Leonard, Hearns was ahead on the scorecards before losing by TKO. Four years later, when he was pitted against Hagler, Hearns was KOed in the 3rd round of a fight many observers called "the greatest three rounds of boxing in history".[citation needed]
Hearns had to wait until 1989 for a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, a fight which much of the public believed he won, flooring Leonard in both the 3rd and 11th rounds. However, the judges scored the fight a draw.
Hearns continued to fight into his late forties. On February 4th, 2006, he beat Shannon Landberg at the Palace of Auburn Hills to raise his career record to 61-5-1 with 48 knockouts.
[edit] Personal
Hearns' family is a fixture on the Detroit sports scene. His mother, Lois Hearns, is a fight promoter. Their company, 'Hearns Entertainment', has promoted many cards, including the [Mike Tyson-Andrew Golota bout in 2000. His son Ronald Hearns is a rising boxer, and has fought on the undercard of their father's recent fights.
[edit] References
Ryo Mashiba, a fictitious character from the Japanese anime Hajime no Ippo is known for using Thomas Hearns' boxing style (which he refers to as the hitman style, after Hearns' popular nickname), specifically the Flicker Jab.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Pipino Cuevas |
WBA Welterweight Champion August 2, 1980– September 16, 1981 |
Succeeded by Sugar Ray Leonard |
| Preceded by Wilfred Benitez |
WBC Light Middleweight boxing champion December 3, 1982–1986 |
Succeeded by Duane Thomas |
| Preceded by Dennis Andries |
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion March 7, 1987– 1987 |
Succeeded by Vacancy filled by Donny Lalonde |
| Preceded by Vacated by Sugar Ray Leonard |
WBC Middleweight Champion October 29, 1987– June 6 1988 |
Succeeded by Iran Barkley |
| Preceded by Inaugural Champion |
WBO Super Middleweight Champion November 4, 1988–1990 |
Succeeded by Vacancy filled by Chris Eubank |
| Preceded by Virgil Hill |
WBA Light Heavyweight Champion June 3, 1991- March 20, 1992 |
Succeeded by Iran Barkley |
