Memory Lane: Leonard vs. Hearns

May 8th, 2008

Memory Lane: Leonard vs. Hearns I “Showdown”, Wednesday September 16, 1981

“Fight of the Decade”

Thomas “Hitman” Hearns
WBA Welterweight champion
Detroit, Michigan
6-1, 145 lbs.
32-0 (30 KO’s)
DOB: October 18, 1958 in Memphis, TN

Sugar Ray Leonard
WBC Welterweight champion
Palmer Park, Maryland
5-9 1/2, 146 lbs.
30-1 (21 KO’s)
DOB: May 17, 1956 in Wilmington, SC

“I was at the Thomas Hearns-Pipino Cuevas fight in Detroit. After the fight, they all looked down at me (at ringside), ‘When are we gonna do it?’ I said, ‘We’ll do it.’ I was so impressed by Tommy’s incredible punching ability. I’ve known Tommy for a long time, since we were amateurs and I always felt confident against Tommy. But I knew it wouldn’t be easy. He’s an amazing puncher.” –Sugar Ray Leonard

“This was a great, great happening to happen.” –Bert Sugar

“His jab effected left eye in the 3rd or 4th round. I boxed Tommy to get a feel for his style. When my left eye became handicapped, I went inside. My left hook hurt him.” –Leonard

“The problem with Tommy Hearns is his height and reach and his hand speed. He’s like a kamikaze – he’ll take a risk to hurt you. I found it difficult to set him up.” –Leonard

“I don’t remember anyone hitting Ray with all these jabs. I don’t remember anyone having a seven-inch reach advantage over Ray either.” –ringside television commentator Dr. Ferdie Pacheco

“Nine minutes left, you’re blowin’ it son, you’re blowin’ it!” –Angelo Dundee to Leonard after 12th

“He said it the right way. I read between the lines.” –Leonard on Dundee’s famous words

Scores after 12 were 118-112, 118-113 and 117-111 all in favor of Hearns.

Round 13 by Dick Young of New York Daily News: “Hearns moving forward. Hearns hit and slips into ropes, half knockdown, half fall. No knockdown (called by referee Davey Pearl). They exchange jabs. Sugar misses right. Sugar lands suddenly with left to head. Sugar lands six, eight, ten punches. Hearns climbs back into ring, gets back to feet. Sugar charges at him. Hearns lands right. Sugar is all over Hearns, lands right and left. Hearns doubled up, holding with one hand. Sugar bangs with right, punishing him. Hearns sagging into ropes. Referee motions Hearns to get up then starts counting. Bell. I have round to Leonard overwhelmingly.”

“RIGHT HANDS!!!” –Dundee screaming to Leonard from corner

“Hearns is actually running away now. Hearns is in desperate trouble.” –TV commentator Don Dunphy

Round 14 by Dick Young: “…Hearns is running and jabbing. Sugar bides his time. Sugar overhand right staggers Hearns. Hearns sinks into ropes but still standing. Leonard waves both hands overhead, anticipating triumph. Has Hearns pinned to ropes and banging away with both hands. Hearns covers up. Referee has stopped the fight.”

“Every time they show (Leonard-Hearns on ESPN Classic) I have to leave the room. If I’m at a bar or something, I just leave. I don’t want to see it. It’s a nightmare. Tommy was winning. It was not so much that Ray came on so strong like people say. Tommy just dissolved because he over-trained and was under-nourished. I’ve learned from experience that you have to be there monitoring your fighter at all times. He was running twice a day the week of the fight with his friends, making sure he’d be in shape, which I didn’t know about. He weighed in at 145 – two pounds under the limit. Tommy was the better fighter and I know it. He knew it.” –Emanuel Steward, trainer of Hearns

“I didn’t think the fight should be stopped. I wasn’t dazed, I was in control. But these are the things that happen. I have to say Ray is a very good fighter. I never underestimated the man. I always knew he was a good fighter.” –Thomas Hearns statement at the post-fight press conference

“Duran, Benitez Hearns…Sugar Ray Leonard has now met and beaten the best.” –Bert Sugar

“It was the fight of the era.” –Bert Sugar

Compiled by Scoop Malinowski