Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns played a pivotal role in one of the greatest eras in boxing history.
Known as the ‘Motor City Cobra’, Hearns had an outstanding professional career which saw him become a world champion in five weight classes, the first fighter to ever accomplish this feat.
The bulk of Hearns’ success came throughout the 1980s where he produced statement wins over the likes of Wilfred Benitez, Dennis Andries and Panamanian great Roberto Duran.
At the height of his career, Hearns became a member of ‘The Four Kings’ alongside Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, playing a key role in an iconic era of boxing which saw all four men dominate the sport throughout the 1980s.
In a feature with The Ring Magazine, Hearns didn’t hesitate to name Ray Leonard as the biggest puncher he ever faced, although he did speak highly of a number of other hard-hitting rivals.
“I’ll have to think about that one. Iran Barkley, he was one of them … Marvin Hagler and Leonard. Ray punched pretty good. Pipino Cuevas never hit me, nor did Duran. I’d give it to Ray; he punched pretty good.”
Leonard got the better of Hearns in their first encounter way back in September 1981, stopping his countryman in the 14th round of their monumental showdown to unify the world welterweight championship.
The legendary duo crossed paths for the second time eight years later, although their battle for the WBC and WBO world super-middleweight titles ended in a controversial split decision draw at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
