Leonard vs Hearns I: 30 Year Anniversary

[elmersalsa]

On a sensational Wednesday Night, of September 16, 1981, two all-time greats fought probably the best fight that I have seen in my life alongside the Chacon-Bazooka Limon IV fight. It was an unforgettable night of an unforgettable decade of great fights. The great Sugar Ray Leonard, the WBC World Welterweight Champion faced the great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns, the WBA World Welterweight King in a see-saw battle that went for 14 unforgettable rounds. Leonard became the undisputed champion by stopping Hearns, and became an all-time great pound per pound. What a fight!

I cannot believe that 30 years has passed since that night. I remember that fight like if it was yesterday. I know exactly where I was.

Do you guys think that the refereee Davey Pearl stopped the fight at the right time, or you guys think that Hearns could still continue? He was getting a battering in that 14th round. I believe Hearns was rescued from further punishment. This was Sugar Ray's defining fight and finest hour.

[elmersalsa]

This fight, Leonard vs Hearns I, was also one of the most anticipated fights of all-time and the fight also surpassed the expectations. Outside the heavyweight division, I rate this fight, pound per pound, second all-time in expectations behind Duran vs Leonard I in Montreal. But in excitement, this fight was better than Duran-Leonard I, I believe.

[Totybear]

Remember exactly where I was too!

I was pumped for weeks for this and could hardly sleep the night before the fight. Hearns was a monster at the time 32 and 0 with 31 early. Some of my mates feared for Leonards safety.

Surprisingly one writer in Boxing News wrote that it didn't live up to expectations!!! What standards did he live by? Could have been Graham Houston but would need to dig out the old issue to check.

Had been into boxing for 2 years at time and thought that it would always be this way That the best would seek out the best and settle it.

Shame they aren't around in their peak now. Mayweather wouldn,t get a sniff of a title without facing one of these greats and that would humble him some what.

[elmersalsa]

I saw the fight again on tape with ABC's Howard Cossell doing the call. Both fighters looked terrific and both of them trained hard for the fight. Sugar Ray took some big shots from Hearns. I think Sugar Ray's ability to absorb punishment was probably his most UNDERRATED asset. He could take a shot.

I think the legendary Don Dunphy's call with Ferdie Pacheco doing the color commentary of the fight was a better version. I saw that version on youtube.com