Thomas Hearns fought his way through an era defined by four men – Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, and himself.
‘The Hitman’s first meeting with Leonard in 1981 was a unification bout that lived up to its billing. Hearns used his reach and right hand to build a strong lead, but Leonard adjusted late and forced a 14th-round stoppage. Their 1989 rematch was closer. Hearns dropped Leonard twice and looked the more effective fighter, but the judges called it a draw – a decision still debated to this day.
Hearns’ decisive win of the Four Kings battles came against Duran in 1984. A clean right hand ended the contest in the second round and made Hearns the first man to stop the Panamanian icon at welterweight or above. It was a short fight, but one that summed up Hearns at his best: fast, accurate, and ruthless.
His 1985 bout with Hagler is one of the sport’s most replayed bouts. Both men started fast, trading heavy shots from the opening bell. Hearns stunned Hagler early, but a hand injury and Hagler’s pressure turned the tide. The champion forced a stoppage after three rounds of chaos.
Despite the legendary fights detailed above, when speaking to the Ring Magazine on the best he faced, Hearns named the man many dubbed ‘the fifth king’ – Wilfred Benitez.
“Wilfred Benitez was very good … slick and very crafty … He moved well and fights all around the ring.”
‘The Hitman’ also honoured Benitez with the fastest feet and best defence. Their fight in 1982 was for Benitez’ WBC Super Welterweight World Title, with the American winning via majority decision after 15 rounds of a more technical approach than he was known for – particularly impressive given the champ’s pedigree.
It was one of eight losses Puerto Rico’s Benitez suffered in a 62-fight campaign. He remains the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, winning his first belt at the age of 17.
