Thomas Hearns
Thomas Hearns | |
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Born | |
Other names |
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Statistics | |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[1] |
Reach | 78 in (198 cm)[2] |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 67 |
Wins | 61 |
Wins by KO | 48 |
Losses | 5 |
Draws | 1 |
Thomas Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is an American former
Hearns was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1980 and 1984; the latter following his knockout of Roberto Durán. Hearns was known as a devastating puncher throughout his career, even at cruiserweight, despite having climbed up five weight classes. He is ranked number 18 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.[3] He currently ranks #78 in BoxRec ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.[4] On June 10, 2012, Hearns was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[5]
Early life
Hearns was born in
Professional career
Hearns began his professional boxing career in Detroit, Michigan, under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward in 1977. Steward had changed Hearns from a light hitting amateur boxer to one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history.
He won six major world titles in five weight classes during his pro career, defeating future boxing hall of famers such as José "Pipino" Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez, Virgil Hill and Roberto Durán. In addition, he won the IBO title at Cruiserweight.
Hearns started his career by knocking out his first 17 opponents. In 1980, Hearns carried his 28–0 record into a world title match against Mexico's Cuevas. Hearns ended Cuevas's 4-year reign by beating him by TKO in the second round. Hearns was voted "Fighter of the Year" by Ring Magazine in 1980.
Hearns vs. Leonard
In 1981, Hearns the WBA Champion, with a 32–0 record (30 KOs), fought WBC Champion Sugar Ray Leonard (30–1) to unify the World Welterweight Championship in a bout dubbed "The Showdown." In this fight, Hearns suffered his first professional defeat when Leonard stopped him in the 14th round. In the 13th round, Leonard, behind on points on all 3 judges scorecards, needed a knockout to win. He came on strong and put Hearns through the ropes at the end of the round. Hearns was dazed, totally out of gas and received a count but was saved by the bell. Leonard, with his left eye shut and time running out, resumed his attack in the 14th. Hearns started the round boxing and moving, but after staggering Hearns with an overhand right, Leonard pinned Hearns against the ropes. After another combination to the body and head, referee Davey Pearl stopped the fight. Hearns and Leonard banked a combined 17 million dollars for the fight, making it the largest purse in sports history at the time. The following year, Leonard retired due to a detached retina, and there would be no rematch until 1989.[7]
Light Middleweight Champion
Hearns moved up in weight and won the
Hagler vs Hearns
While remaining super-welterweight (light-middleweight) champion, Hearns ventured into the
Comeback
Hearns quickly made amends by dispatching undefeated rising star James "Black Gold" Shuler with a devastating first-round knockout in 1986. One week after the fight, Shuler was killed in a motorcycle accident. Hearns presented the NABF championship belt to Shuler's family at his funeral, saying he deserved to keep the belt as he had held it longer than Hearns.
In March 1987, Hearns scored six knockdowns of
In a huge upset, Hearns lost his WBC middleweight title to
Rematch with Leonard
Hearns had to wait until 1989 for a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, this time for Leonard's
Later career
Hearns had one last great performance in 1991, as he challenged the undefeated
On June 23, 1997, Hearns appeared on a WWF telecast, performing in a storyline where he was taunted and challenged by professional wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart, who claimed that Hearns stole the "Hitman" nickname. Hearns ended up attacking Jim Neidhart and knocking him down with a series of punches before officials entered the ring and broke up the confrontation.[19]
On November 6, 1998, Hearns had a boxing fight which featured a rare, double knockdown. In it, Hearns and opponent Jay Snyder landed punches simultaneously during the very first round, Hearns a devastating right hand to Snyder's chin and Snyder a left jab to Hearns's chin. Hearns was able to get up before the referee's count reached ten seconds; Snyder was not and Hearns won by first-round knockout.[20]
On 10 April 1999, Hearns travelled to England and beat Nate Miller by unanimous decision to win the IBO cruiserweight title.[21] In his next fight in April 2000 he lost the title to Uriah Grant. The first round was competitive, with Hearns appearing hurt by a solid right to the jaw. Both fighters traded blows in the second round until Hearns appeared to injure his right ankle. He was forced to retire injured at the end of the round.[22] The crowd booed and Hearns took the microphone and promised his fans that he would be back.[23] Hearns fought twice more, winning both fights by TKO. His final fight was on 4 February 2006 against Shannon Landberg.[24]
Personal life
Hearns's family is a fixture on the Detroit sports scene. His mother, Lois Hearns, is a fight promoter. Their company, Hearns Entertainment, has promoted many cards, including the Mike Tyson–Andrew Golota bout in 2000. His son Ronald Hearns is also a boxer, and he fought on the undercard of his father's last couple of fights. Hearns lives in Southfield, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit). Hearns serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Detroit Police Department.
Due to personal financial issues, Hearns was forced to auction off his possessions at The Auction Block of Detroit, Michigan, on April 3, 2010. Items included were a 1957 Chevy, 47' Fountain boat, and a slew of collectible memorabilia. His debt to the
In 2012, Hearns was ticketed for parking in the middle of the road. He subsequently paid the ticket. His ticketing was featured in Parking Wars.[26]
Professional boxing record
67 fights | 61 wins | 5 losses |
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By knockout | 48 | 4 |
By decision | 13 | 1 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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67 | Win | 61–5–1 | Shannon Landberg | TKO | 10 (10), 1:35 | Feb 4, 2006 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
66 | Win | 60–5–1 | John Long | TKO | 9 (10) | Jul 30, 2005 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
65 | Loss | 59–5–1 | Uriah Grant | RTD | 3 (12), 3:00 | Apr 8, 2000 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Lost IBO cruiserweight title |
64 | Win | 59–4–1 | Nate Miller | UD | 12 | Apr 10, 1999 | MEN Arena, Manchester , England
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Won vacant IBO cruiserweight title |
63 | Win | 58–4–1 | Jay Snyder | KO | 1 (10), 1:28 | Nov 6, 1998 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
62 | Win | 57–4–1 | Ed Dalton | KO | 5 (10), 2:47 | Jan 31, 1997 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
61 | Win | 56–4–1 | Karl Willis | KO | 5 (10), 2:45 | Nov 29, 1996 | Civic Center, Roanoke, Virginia , U.S.
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60 | Win | 55–4–1 | Earl Butler | UD | 10 | Sep 26, 1995 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
59 | Win | 54–4–1 | Lenny LaPaglia | TKO | 1 (12), 2:55 | Mar 31, 1995 | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Won vacant WBU cruiserweight title |
58 | Win | 53–4–1 | Freddie Delgado | UD | 12 | Feb 19, 1994 | Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
57 | Win | 52–4–1 | Dan Ward | TKO | 1 (12), 2:09 | Jan 29, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant NABF cruiserweight title |
56 | Win | 51–4–1 | Andrew Maynard | TKO | 1 (10), 2:34 | Nov 6, 1993 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
55 | Loss | 50–4–1 | Iran Barkley | SD | 12 | Mar 20, 1992 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBA light heavyweight title |
54 | Win | 50–3–1 | Virgil Hill | UD | 12 | Jun 3, 1991 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBA light heavyweight title |
53 | Win | 49–3–1 | Ken Atkins | TKO | 3 (10), 2:08 | Apr 6, 1991 | Honolulu, Hawaii , U.S.
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52 | Win | 48–3–1 | Kemper Morton | KO | 2 (10), 2:02 | Feb 11, 1991 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California , U.S.
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51 | Win | 47–3–1 | Michael Olajide | UD | 12 | Apr 28, 1990 | Etess Arena , Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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Retained WBO super middleweight title |
50 | Draw | 46–3–1 | Sugar Ray Leonard | SD | 12 | Jun 12, 1989 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBO super middleweight title; For WBC super middleweight title |
49 | Win | 46–3 | James Kinchen | MD | 12 | Nov 4, 1988 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Won NABF and inaugural WBO super middleweight titles |
48 | Loss | 45–3 | Iran Barkley | TKO | 3 (12), 2:39 | Jun 6, 1988 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC middleweight title |
47 | Win | 45–2 | Juan Roldán | KO | 4 (12), 2:01 | Oct 29, 1987 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada , U.S.
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Won vacant WBC middleweight title |
46 | Win | 44–2 | Dennis Andries | TKO | 10 (12), 1:26 | Mar 7, 1987 | Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Won WBC light heavyweight title |
45 | Win | 43–2 | Doug DeWitt | UD | 12 | Oct 17, 1986 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Retained NABF middleweight title |
44 | Win | 42–2 | Mark Medal | TKO | 8 (12), 2:20 | Jun 23, 1986 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles |
43 | Win | 41–2 | James Shuler | KO | 1 (12), 1:13 | Mar 10, 1986 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won NABF middleweight title |
42 | Loss | 40–2 | Marvin Hagler
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TKO | 3 (12), 1:52 | Apr 15, 1985 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles |
41 | Win | 40–1 | Fred Hutchings | TKO | 3 (12), 2:56 | Sep 15, 1984 | Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles |
40 | Win | 39–1 | Roberto Durán | TKO | 2 (12), 1:05 | Jun 15, 1984 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles |
39 | Win | 38–1 | Luigi Minchillo | UD | 12 | Feb 11, 1984 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles |
38 | Win | 37–1 | Murray Sutherland | UD | 10 | Jul 10, 1983 | Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey , U.S.
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37 | Win | 36–1 | Wilfred Benítez | MD | 15 | Dec 3, 1982 | Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | Won WBC and vacant The Ring light middleweight titles |
36 | Win | 35–1 | Jeff McCracken | TKO | 8 (10), 1:29 | Jul 25, 1982 | Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
35 | Win | 34–1 | Marcos Geraldo | KO | 1 (10), 1:48 | Feb 27, 1982 | The Aladdin , Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
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34 | Win | 33–1 | Ernie Singletary | UD | 10 | Dec 11, 1981
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Queen Elizabeth's Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas | |
33 | Loss | 32–1 | Sugar Ray Leonard | TKO | 14 (15), 1:45 | Sep 16, 1981 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBA welterweight title; For WBC and The Ring welterweight titles |
32 | Win | 32–0 | Pablo Baez | TKO | 4 (15), 2:10 | Jun 25, 1981 | Houston, Texas , U.S.
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Retained WBA welterweight title |
31 | Win | 31–0 | Randy Shields | TKO | 12 (15), 3:00 | Apr 25, 1981 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | Retained WBA welterweight title |
30 | Win | 30–0 | Luis Primera | KO | 6 (15), 2:00 | Dec 6, 1980 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Retained WBA welterweight title |
29 | Win | 29–0 | José Cuevas | TKO | 2 (15), 2:39 | Aug 2, 1980 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Won WBA welterweight title |
28 | Win | 28–0 | Eddie Gazo | KO | 1 (10), 2:41 | May 3, 1980 | Cobo Hall , Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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27 | Win | 27–0 | Santiago Valdez | TKO | 1 (10), 2:56 | Mar 31, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Ángel Espada | TKO | 4 (12), 0:47 | Mar 2, 1980 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Won vacant USBA welterweight title
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25 | Win | 25–0 | Jim Richards | KO | 3 (10), 2:27 | Feb 3, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Mike Colbert | UD | 10 | Nov 30, 1979 | New Orleans, Louisiana , U.S.
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23 | Win | 23–0 | Saensak Muangsurin | TKO | 3 (10), 2:31 | Oct 18, 1979 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | José Figueroa | KO | 3 (10), 1:17 | Sep 22, 1979 | Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California , U.S.
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21 | Win | 21–0 | Inocencio De la Rosa | RTD | 2 (10) | Aug 23, 1979 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Bruce Curry | KO | 3 (10), 2:59 | Jun 28, 1979 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Harold Weston | RTD | 6 (12) | May 20, 1979 | Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Alfonso Hayman | UD | 10 | Apr 3, 1979 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , U.S.
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17 | Win | 17–0 | Segundo Murillo | TKO | 8 (10), 2:25 | Mar 3, 1979 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Sammy Ruckard | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 31, 1979 | Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Clyde Gray | TKO | 10 (10), 2:03 | Jan 11, 1979 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Rudy Barro | KO | 4 (10) | Dec 9, 1978 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Pedro Rojas | TKO | 1 (10), 1:09 | Oct 26, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Bruce Finch | KO | 3 (10), 2:01 | Sep 7, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Eddie Marcelle | KO | 2 (10), 2:59 | Aug 3, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Raul Aguirre | KO | 2 (10), 2:08 | Jul 20, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Jimmy Rothwell | KO | 1 (10), 1:49 | Jun 8, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Tyrone Phelps | TKO | 3 (10), 2:08 | Mar 31, 1978 | Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Ray Fields | TKO | 2, 2:15 | Mar 17, 1978 | Cobo Arena , Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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6 | Win | 6–0 | Billy Goodwin | TKO | 2, 1:18 | Feb 17, 1978 | Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan , U.S.
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5 | Win | 5–0 | Robert Adams | TKO | 3 (6), 2:45 | Feb 10, 1978 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Anthony House | KO | 2, 2:00 | Jan 29, 1978 | Hyatt Regency, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Willie Wren | TKO | 3 (6), 2:41 | Dec 16, 1977 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Jerry Strickland | KO | 3 (6), 1:27 | Dec 7, 1977 | Hillcrest Country Club, Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Jerome Hill | KO | 2 (4), 1:59 | Nov 25, 1977 | Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
See also
References
- HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the second Sugar Ray Leonard fight.
- HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Iran Barkley rematch.
- ^ Eisele, Andrew. "Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers". Boxing.about.com. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
- ^ [1] BoxRec
- ^ Rafael, Dan (6 December 2011). "Thomas Hearns Elected to Hall of Fame". ESPN. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "BoxRec: Thomas Hearns". BoxRec. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Harry Mullan: "The Pictorial History of Boxing" p.295
- ^ "Thomas Hearns - Lineal Junior Middleweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ a b McCarthy, Alex (15 March 2021). "Hagler's 'highlight' came against Hearns, which had the greatest round in history". talkSPORT.
- ^ Wang, Gene (14 March 2021). "Marvin Hagler helped boxing soar in the 1980s, and nothing topped his epic TKO of Thomas Hearns". The Washington Post.
- ^ Hoffer, Richard (18 April 1985). "Hearns Broke Right Hand in 1st Round : An Uppercut to Head Stunned Hagler but Hurt the Hit Man". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Smith, Adam (15 April 2020). "Marvin Hagler vs Thomas Hearns remembered by Adam Smith on 35th anniversary of legendary fight". Sky Sports.
- ^ Zinoman, Jason (7 May 2006). "The last hurrah for the hitman". the Guardian.
- ^ Katz, Michael (30 July 1985). "Hearns Races Toward Hagler Rematch". The New York Times.
- ^ Slater, James (30 August 2016). "Hagler-Hearns - When They Tried To Set Up A Rematch — Boxing News". Boxing247.
- ^ Putnam, Pat (19 June 1989). "ANOTHER CLASSIC". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
- ^ Putnam, Pat (17 June 1991). "The Last Of The Legends". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
- ^ Berger, Phil (21 March 1992). "BOXING; Decision Goes to Barkley After a 12-Round Brawl". The New York Times.
- ISBN 978-1-291-75779-8.
- ^ "Hearns Begins Comeback With KO". AP NEWS. 7 November 1998.
- ^ Slater, James (10 April 2020). "On This Day 21 Years Ago – Thomas Hearns Has His One And Only Pro Fight In England — Boxing News". Boxing247.
- ^ Hoffer, Richard (17 April 2000). "It's a Wrap Thomas Hearns ended his glorious career not with a bang but a sprain". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
- ^ "Injured Hearns loses title". Deseret News. 9 April 2000.
- ^ "Hearns beats Landberg with 10th round stoppage". ESPN.com. 5 February 2006.
- ^ Thomas Hearns takes his lumps at auctionDetroit Free Press April 4, 2010 Archived 2010-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Parking Wars: Season 7, Episode 13". Rotten Tomatoes.
External links
- Official website
- Boxing record for Thomas Hearns from BoxRec (registration required)
- Thomas Hearns amateur boxing record
- Thomas Hearns profile at Cyber Boxing Zone
Sporting positions | ||||
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Amateur boxing titles | ||||
Previous: Ronnie Shields |
U.S. Golden Gloves light welterweight champion 1977 |
Next: Ronnie Shields | ||
Regional boxing titles | ||||
New title | USBA welterweight champion March 2, 1980 – August 1980 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Kevin Morgan
| ||
Preceded by | NABF middleweight champion March 10, 1986 – October 1987 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Michael Nunn
| ||
Preceded by | NABF super middleweight champion November 4, 1988 – April 1989 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Don Lee
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Orlin Norris
|
NABF cruiserweight champion January 29, 1994 – February 23, 1994 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Adolpho Washington
| ||
Minor world boxing titles | ||||
New title | WBU cruiserweight champion March 31, 1995 – September 1995 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by James Toney
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Robert Daniels
|
IBO cruiserweight champion April 10, 1999 – April 8, 2000 |
Succeeded by | ||
Major world boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by | WBA welterweight champion August 2, 1980 – September 16, 1981 |
Succeeded by | ||
Preceded by | WBC light middleweight champion December 3, 1982 – October 24, 1986 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Duane Thomas
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Sugar Ray Leonard
|
The Ring light middleweight champion December 3, 1982 – October 24, 1986 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Oscar De La Hoya
| ||
Lineal light middleweight champion June 15, 1984 – October 24, 1986 Vacated |
Succeeded by | |||
Preceded by | WBC light heavyweight champion March 7, 1987 – November 27, 1987 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Donny Lalonde
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Sugar Ray Leonard
|
WBC middleweight champion October 29, 1987 – June 6, 1988 |
Succeeded by | ||
New title | WBO super middleweight champion November 4, 1988 – May 8, 1991 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Chris Eubank
| ||
Preceded by | WBA light heavyweight champion June 3, 1991 – March 20, 1992 |
Succeeded by Iran Barkley
| ||
Awards | ||||
Previous: Sugar Ray Leonard |
The Ring Fighter of the Year 1980 |
Next: Sugar Ray Leonard and Salvador Sánchez | ||
BWAA Fighter of the Year 1980 |
Next: Sugar Ray Leonard | |||
Previous: Matthew Saad Muhammad vs. Yaqui López II |
The Ring Fight of the Year vs. Sugar Ray Leonard 1981 |
Next: Bobby Chacon vs. Rafael Limón IV | ||
Previous: Marvin Hagler
|
The Ring Fighter of the Year 1984 |
Next: Marvin Hagler and Donald Curry | ||
BWAA Fighter of the Year 1984 |
Next: Marvin Hagler | |||
Previous: José Luis Ramírez vs. Edwin Rosario II |
The Ring Fight of the Year vs. Marvin Hagler 1985 |
Next: Steve Cruz vs.
Barry McGuigan | ||
Previous: Juan Meza vs. Jaime Garza Round 1 |
The Ring Round of the Year vs. Marvin Hagler Round 1 1985 |
Next: Steve Cruz vs. Barry McGuigan Round 15 |