Happy 67th Birthday, Hitman!

[elmersalsa]

Today's the birthday of one of the greatest boxers and also greatest punchers of all-time. I am talking about the fearsome five division world champion, Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns of Detroit, MI.

He was probably the most exciting fighter of the 4 Kings of the 1980s decade. Lately, he is not in good health. May you recover quickly, champ! You was a one of a kind fighter!

I wish you well and may JAH bless you in your recovery. Happy 67th Birthday!

[gilgamesh]

Happy Birthday indeed to Hearns, and a speedy recovery, and many more healthy years to him I hope. I agree he's quite possibly the most consistently exciting of the 4 Kings. A pleasure to watch.

[Taansend]

Hearns fought Ray Leonard (1st fight) on my 13th birthday. I think it was a Tuesday. Two of my favourites decided to give me a treat like that. That's fornicating special, right there.

Anyway, what was Tommy's best weight? There's no right answer, just your opinion. The obvious answer would be Welter but his best wins came at 154. And he would have beaten most Middleweights in history, in my humble opinion. At Lightheavy he was an experienced veteran with patience. I still can't believe he lost again to Barkley. I haven't watched that fight in over 30 years. I'll have to watch again.

Welter - 32 wins, 30 KOs (I think) & the stoppage loss to Leonard. Best win, Cuevas?

Lightmiddle - Only a half dozen or so fights but beat Benitez, Duran & Fred Hutchings. No losses.

Middle - Beat the Scottish legend Murray Sutherland, one of the first men to hold the Supermiddle title. The best Jock you've never heard of. And the tragic James Schuler. And the Doug Dewitt fight which was shown on UK TV & I was very very impressed with Dewitts chin - and very flat nose. Also beat Juan Roldan. Stunningly upset by Iran Barkley KO3.

Supermiddle - Drew in the Leonard rematch which most thought he won. Beat the over-hyped Olajide & struggled against The Sink (also on UK TV).

Lightheavy - Beat my boy Dennis Andries for the WBC belt. I watched this a week later (pre internet days) in a pub on a Saturday lunchtime & it was snowing. But I can't remember if it was snowing in London or snowing in Detroit where the fight happened. I just remember snow. First man to beat the very good Virgil Hill then incredibly lost again to Iran Barkley.

Cruiserweight - No major wins but he did claim the IBO title against Nate Miller on the undercard of a Naseem Hamed fight.

[scorpio83]

Happy Birthday Hitman

[NazNaci1]

Happy Birthday. A great fighter and one of my favourites from the modern era.

[elmersalsa]

Happy Birthday. A great fighter and one of my favourites from the modern era.

At 154lbs, what a fighter!

[Seamus]

I've known two people who talked to him at length. They said he's real easy going, not aggressive or arrogant.

[elmersalsa]

Of the Four Kings, this is the fighter that I would love to have a conversation with. I would like to ask him, why you beat up my champion, Roberto Duran, like that?

[Expug]

He was a great fighter. I will always associate him with that Kronk gym in the 80s. Manny Steward and the crew. They were like royalty man.