Tommy Hearns arrested.

[KOJOE90]

Just in case you didn't know.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - Former boxing champion Thomas Hearns has been accused of striking his son during an argument, and faces misdemeanour assault and battery charges.

Police in this Detroit suburb said they were called to Hearns' home by his wife on Sunday evening and told that the 47-year-old boxer struck his 13-year-old son.

When police arrived, they found the teenager with a small cut and a bruise over one of his eyes, Detective John Harris said. Hearns was arrested without incident and jailed until his arraignment Monday morning.

Michigan law requires police to make an arrest if someone is injured in a domestic assault case.

"We let the judge figure out the rest of it," Harris said.

He said Hearns asked his son to leave his brother's bedroom, but the boy either refused or didn't move quickly enough.

"I can't get into the details. The bottom line is it didn't happen," and the incident became physical, Harris said.

The other brother was not home at the time, police said. They refused to divulge the names of Hearns' wife or sons.

Reached Tuesday at his home, Hearns declined comment to The Associated Press.

Hearns was released on $10,000 bail. Magistrate Eugene Friedman ordered him not to have any contact with his son. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for Friday.

Hearns held WBA, WBC, WBU and IBO titles ranging from the welterweight to cruiserweight divisions between 1980 and 1999, and had memorable fights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

Hearns began a comeback in July with an eight-round victory over lightly regarded John Long. After the match, Hearns said he was planning to fight for a long time.

[silkov]

What was he thinking hitting his son like that?.... could be a sign that Tommy is losing it sadly... :x

[Kronkpride]

I don't know. What's the boy thinking not listening to his dad? I don't agree with hitting him in the face but I would never even bat an eyelash over him taking him over his knee and whipping his ass. Kids are little punks these days. I also don't like that his wife called the police on him. In my view the best thing that could have happened would be the parents being on a united front and teaching the kid some manners. I don't think that in Hearns kid case that positive reinforcement is plausible. I'm sure he has the best of the best and that it all came from his dad putting his neck on the line in the ring. He should respect his dad and listen the 1st time he says something.

[AlexY2K4]

What was he thinking hitting his son like that?.... could be a sign that Tommy is losing it sadly... :x

All I can say is, don't believe everything you read. Something has recently happened with someone very close to me, which he was completely innocent of, but because the media love a story, and things get blown out of proportion, he is the real victim.

Not saying Hearns didn't do it, just saying, not everything you read is true.

[MightyWarrior]

Sounds like he just slapped him, nothing too serious. For all we know the kid could've been giving him crap all day/week long, and Tommy finaly lost it and clipped him one. Never heard of Hearns throwing his weight about outside the ring before - so maybe his boy had it coming.

People complain about 13 year old hooligans on the rampage all the time, and wonder why their parents never set them straight....

[MightyWarrior]

police seek review of Hearns charge

Southfield chief wants prosecutor to re-examine case involving shoving match with teen son.

Mike Martindale / The Detroit News
SOUTHFIELD -- Police Chief Joseph Thomas said Tuesday he wants the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office to take another look at the weekend family incident that resulted in a misdemeanor assault charge against former boxing champion Thomas "Hitman" Hearns.

Thomas said no one was seriously injured and that he isn't sure who was at fault in the incident involving Hearns, his 13-year-old son and the former boxer's wife, Renee.

"Hearns was looking out for his son's welfare, his health," Thomas said.

"But he (the son) disobeyed him. I'm not saying what Tommy did was right, but maybe his son should be charged with something, too.

"Parents have to be able to control and discipline their children. But it seems we keep giving them reasons to challenge parental authority," Thomas said.

The incident started shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday in the Hearnses' home, Thomas said. Hearns thought it was too cold for his son in the room where the boy was playing computer games and told him to turn up the thermostat.

Hearns and his son argued and a short time later Hearns returned to the room.

"The room was still cold and he pushed his son … and repeated his instructions."

Thomas said Renee Hearns entered the room and tried to intervene and was told by Hearns to "stay out of it."

"For some reason, Mrs. Hearns either fell or was pushed to a couch or bed and the son threw a punch at his father," Thomas said. "Hearns made some kind of a motion, maybe warding off the punch, and his son suffered a small cut on the side of his nose."

Assistant Prosecutor John Slevin was not aware of Thomas' concerns about the case, but said the initial police reports indicated that domestic violence had occurred.

"There was an argument, and there were punches thrown, and there were injuries," Slevin said. "I know people differ on corporal punishment, but you can't allow a youth to be punched in the face, especially when one of the people punching is a professional boxer."

The incident is uncharacteristic of Hearns, who has no criminal record. Hearns appeared at his arraignment without an attorney on Monday in Southfield's 46th District Court.

Magistrate Eugene Friedman released Hearns on $10,000 personal bond. Hearns is to return to court on Friday. Friedman also ordered Hearns to have no contact with his son

[silkov]

Seems to me from these details that Hearns was throwing his weight around and that his son was trying to defend his mother. Theres no excuse for a father to use his fists against his wife and son especially when he's a boxer... allbeit a shot one...

[KOJOE90]

People complain about 13 year old hooligans on the rampage all the time, and wonder why their parents never set them straight....

Spot on mate.

[KO Artist]

Seems to me from these details that Hearns was throwing his weight around and that his son was trying to defend his mother. Theres no excuse for a father to use his fists against his wife and son especially when he's a boxer... allbeit a shot one...

Sounds about right to me. Who lashes out over a room temperature?

A crap excuse.

He should have phone Manny for an excuse he comes out with great bullshit.

[AlexY2K4]

Seems to me from these details that Hearns was throwing his weight around and that his son was trying to defend his mother. Theres no excuse for a father to use his fists against his wife and son especially when he's a boxer... allbeit a shot one...

Sounds about right to me. Who lashes out over a room temperature?

A crap excuse.

He should have phone Manny for an excuse he comes out with great bullshit.

As I said, I don't choose to believe everything I read. He may be in the wrong, but who knows? Maybe his son is a little turd who gave him greif all day and Tommy had it up to here with him. I'm not condoning him using his hands, but how do we know he PUNCHED him? Maybe he just gave him a smack or a clip and accidently cut him or whatever?

Like I say, unless we were there, we have no right to say anything. And for the record, I agree with everyone about how smartass kids need disipline.

I just say this as I know from experience about how the media and certain situations can make an innocent or not-so-wrong person seem like a scumbag. This person who I am close to has recently been given 12 years in jail for something he is innocent of, a total stitch up, but because it makes good news and people will believe it, and a few other circumstances, he never had a chance.

That's all I can say.

[silkov]

Seems to me from these details that Hearns was throwing his weight around and that his son was trying to defend his mother. Theres no excuse for a father to use his fists against his wife and son especially when he's a boxer... allbeit a shot one...

Sounds about right to me. Who lashes out over a room temperature?

A crap excuse.

He should have phone Manny for an excuse he comes out with great bullshit.

As I said, I don't choose to believe everything I read. He may be in the wrong, but who knows? Maybe his son is a little turd who gave him greif all day and Tommy had it up to here with him. I'm not condoning him using his hands, but how do we know he PUNCHED him? Maybe he just gave him a smack or a clip and accidently cut him or whatever?

Like I say, unless we were there, we have no right to say anything. And for the record, I agree with everyone about how smartass kids need disipline.

I just say this as I know from experience about how the media and certain situations can make an innocent or not-so-wrong person seem like a scumbag. This person who I am close to has recently been given 12 years in jail for something he is innocent of, a total stitch up, but because it makes good news and people will believe it, and a few other circumstances, he never had a chance.

That's all I can say.

I doubt the kid cut his own eye. Even if he is a real brat that doesn't excuse his father punching him, and for a pro boxer to use his fists against his own son is pretty low. For all we know this incident may be highlighting a domestic situation that until now has been hidden behind closed doors... I've lost a lot of respect for Tommy, if he wants a fight he should get back in the ring with someone his own size who can hit him back...

[KO Artist]

Seems to me from these details that Hearns was throwing his weight around and that his son was trying to defend his mother. Theres no excuse for a father to use his fists against his wife and son especially when he's a boxer... allbeit a shot one...

Sounds about right to me. Who lashes out over a room temperature?

A crap excuse.

He should have phone Manny for an excuse he comes out with great bullshit.

As I said, I don't choose to believe everything I read. He may be in the wrong, but who knows? Maybe his son is a little turd who gave him greif all day and Tommy had it up to here with him. I'm not condoning him using his hands, but how do we know he PUNCHED him? Maybe he just gave him a smack or a clip and accidently cut him or whatever?

Like I say, unless we were there, we have no right to say anything. And for the record, I agree with everyone about how smartass kids need disipline.

I just say this as I know from experience about how the media and certain situations can make an innocent or not-so-wrong person seem like a scumbag. This person who I am close to has recently been given 12 years in jail for something he is innocent of, a total stitch up, but because it makes good news and people will believe it, and a few other circumstances, he never had a chance.

That's all I can say.

I'm not condemning what Tommy did, he probably cuffed the kid after the kid interfered in a parental argument. Some kids deserve a whack. I got plenty. Although I would only smack mine as a very last resort and certainly not in the face with a punch.

I doubt Tommy punched him even at 48 the kid would have been ko'd.

Tommy probably just cuffed him and its a storm in a teacup because its TH involved.

The reason I criticised is because the excuse is lame. I mean turn the central heating down--- NO--- Bang.

It just dont happen.

[silkov]

People complain about 13 year old hooligans on the rampage all the time, and wonder why their parents never set them straight....

Spot on mate.

A lot of these hooligans actually come from violent backgrounds and behave the way they do because violence is all they have experienced!...

[AlexY2K4]

Sounds about right to me. Who lashes out over a room temperature?

A crap excuse.

He should have phone Manny for an excuse he comes out with great bullshit.

As I said, I don't choose to believe everything I read. He may be in the wrong, but who knows? Maybe his son is a little turd who gave him greif all day and Tommy had it up to here with him. I'm not condoning him using his hands, but how do we know he PUNCHED him? Maybe he just gave him a smack or a clip and accidently cut him or whatever?

Like I say, unless we were there, we have no right to say anything. And for the record, I agree with everyone about how smartass kids need disipline.

I just say this as I know from experience about how the media and certain situations can make an innocent or not-so-wrong person seem like a scumbag. This person who I am close to has recently been given 12 years in jail for something he is innocent of, a total stitch up, but because it makes good news and people will believe it, and a few other circumstances, he never had a chance.

That's all I can say.

I doubt the kid cut his own eye. Even if he is a real brat that doesn't excuse his father punching him, and for a pro boxer to use his fists against his own son is pretty low. For all we know this incident may be highlighting a domestic situation that until now has been hidden behind closed doors... I've lost a lot of respect for Tommy, if he wants a fight he should get back in the ring with someone his own size who can hit him back...

I said nothing about the kid cutting his own eye, I was simply stating that we don't know the full story, who's to say he PUNCHED him? As i've allready said, the likelyhood is that he was just disiplining him, but maybe never meant to give him a cut. I was hit a few times as a kid, and I deserved it and turned out the better for it.

And I agree with what KO artist said. Fair enough about it being a lame excuse, but that doesn't mean he's a child abuser.

[silkov]

As I said, I don't choose to believe everything I read. He may be in the wrong, but who knows? Maybe his son is a little turd who gave him greif all day and Tommy had it up to here with him. I'm not condoning him using his hands, but how do we know he PUNCHED him? Maybe he just gave him a smack or a clip and accidently cut him or whatever?

Like I say, unless we were there, we have no right to say anything. And for the record, I agree with everyone about how smartass kids need disipline.

I just say this as I know from experience about how the media and certain situations can make an innocent or not-so-wrong person seem like a scumbag. This person who I am close to has recently been given 12 years in jail for something he is innocent of, a total stitch up, but because it makes good news and people will believe it, and a few other circumstances, he never had a chance.

That's all I can say.

I doubt the kid cut his own eye. Even if he is a real brat that doesn't excuse his father punching him, and for a pro boxer to use his fists against his own son is pretty low. For all we know this incident may be highlighting a domestic situation that until now has been hidden behind closed doors... I've lost a lot of respect for Tommy, if he wants a fight he should get back in the ring with someone his own size who can hit him back...

I said nothing about the kid cutting his own eye, I was simply stating that we don't know the full story, who's to say he PUNCHED him? As i've allready said, the likelyhood is that he was just disiplining him, but maybe never meant to give him a cut. I was hit a few times as a kid, and I deserved it and turned out the better for it.

And I agree with what KO artist said. Fair enough about it being a lame excuse, but that doesn't mean he's a child abuser.

I'm not saying he's a child abuser but whose to say this is the first time this has happened?... could be that the kid was trying to defend his mother... the story of her being pushed or falling onto the sofa sounds rather lame to me... would his wife call the cops if it was really such a minor incident?..... I have sympathy for Thomas, maybe he is falling prey to the sort of problems that many boxers encounter when their careers are over, the fact that he seems to be trying to belive that he still has a future as a boxer makes me think that he is in need of help...

[jamesmcdonnell]

Hmm, this doesn't sound good.

Hearns has sounded increasingly out of touch with reality recently. He obviously misses the sport badly, and is in denial about his future in it. He wouldn't be the first fighter to get involved in physical abuse after quitting. Marvin Hagler by his own admission lost the plot after quitting and started beating his wife, who I think he eventually separated from.

I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I would hope that using physical punishment would be the very last form of control I would use.

It strikes me as very strange that we consider violence in young people abhorrent, and discipline them for it, yet it's ok for someone who is bigger, stronger and old enough to show more control to slap them about.

Surely there are better ways to discipline children, cut off their money, ground them, lock them in their room etc? The restriction of freedom is the ultimate penalty for a young person. A smack in the face just breeds resentment.

[jamesmcdonnell]

People complain about 13 year old hooligans on the rampage all the time, and wonder why their parents never set them straight....

Spot on mate.

A lot of these hooligans actually come from violent backgrounds and behave the way they do because violence is all they have experienced!...

Quite right, some of the most violent kids I went to school with were like that because their dads beat the shit out of them all the time.

Violence breeds violence, of that there is no doubt, it's been proven beyond doubt...

[hammer]

child needs to be disciplined ,some times talking is no use .give them the belt then they will sort them selfs out.all this crap about children taking there parents to court and shit like that ,the reason why there holigans and anti social shit is because the kids are not scared of the police or there parents,there no respect now no fear.

[jamesmcdonnell]

You don't need fear to be respected, and beating your children with a belt is frankly appalling.

If you belted someone in the street with a belt because they pissed you off, you would be arrested, so why is it ok to hit your kid with one?

Anyone who uses belts, bats or other implements to beat their kids wants locking up.

[knockout]

You don't need fear to be respected, and beating your children with a belt is frankly appalling.

If you belted someone in the street with a belt because they pissed you off, you would be arrested, so why is it ok to hit your kid with one?

Anyone who uses belts, bats or other implements to beat their kids wants locking up.

Agree entirely but different societies have different views on what is acceptable.....
For sure todays children dont have enough discipline in their lives but like you say it doesnt have to be fear of a beating that dictates how well you behave...

[jamesmcdonnell]

I've been watching the supernanny programme, and it's incredible just how much difference knowing what tricks to use to control children

I know what you mean, my mate Laudis' dad was from Grenada, and his dad is a lovely bloke, but he used to whack the shit out of him with a belt buckle if he played up.

Some cultures see the best way to control kids is by whipping them into shape.

[RobD]

I've been watching the supernanny programme, and it's incredible just how much difference knowing what tricks to use to control children

I know what you mean, my mate Laudis' dad was from Grenada, and his dad is a lovely bloke, but he used to whack the shit out of him with a belt buckle if he played up.

Some cultures see the best way to control kids is by whipping them into shape.

My wife works with kids who have anger manangement problems and numerous others. As you mention above there are numerous tricks to control a kid. Unfortunately most parents don't have a clue. Its easier to give into a screaming kid then not to. Then they wonder why the kid screams when they don't get there way. If you give in it reinforces the kids behavior.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

From the sound of it Tommy yelled at his son, his wife came and started talking smart, he got annoyed threw her down, his son hit him, he either parryed or pushed his son away causing a cut. NO WAY TOMMY HEARNS EVEN THROWS A JAB AND DOESNT TAKE A 13yos HEAD OFF. The cut was next to his nose, so he musta pushed him away or parryed

[J]

i agree phenom, Im surprised by how many have been quick to jump on the child beating thing.
if tommy hearns wanted to pbeat up his kid he would fornicating cripple him.

sounds like a minor domestic to me, and no one but the people there will ever know the full story.

oh and for the record kids do deserve a slap from time to time, not a punch but as a last resort a cuff yeah, fornicating politcial correctness gone mad this fornicating country at times.

Just ask any teacher since the threat (notice the threat) of corporal punishment has been remioved what the little bastards can be like. I dont condone it but as threat it worked when I was a kid.

I never got the cane at school but boy did I behave in case I did. And it was use din only the most extreme of cases.

Its just as bad when you are walking home, some little fornicator asked my ex-bird for a blow job smack in front of me by the station. Three fornicating times after i told him to fornicate off..

what can you do, fornicating nothing. Give the little shit a kicking and go inside?

no but you cant even give him a little slap these days, why cos its abuse.
Well what about my and my girlfirend's right to be able to walk home un-harrassed and without being abused.

we have gone too far the other way more interested in nicking people for minor domestics than catching child molesters that now seem to be able to walk into most folk's homes.

ask yourself whats gonna mess the kid up more.

[KO Artist]

Bring back Boxing in scholls and National Service.

First thing I would try to do if I was PM