|
|
||
|
Legends page! The opponents of Thomas Hearns. This part is dedicated to
the legends of the 1980's. Tommy fought many legends in his career!He perhaps fought more legends than most legends can fight. Starting in 1980, Thomas fought Pipino Cueves (1980), Sugar Ray Leonard(1981,1989), Wilfred Benitez(1982) Roberto Duran(1984),Marvelous Marvin Hagler(1985),Iran Barklay(1988,1992),Virgil Hill(1991- to name just a few! |
||
|
||
|
|
Legends!! The Opponents of Thomas Hearns *PIPINO CUEVES* -
*WBA Welterwieght Champion 1976-1980!! Won the WBA Welterweight Title on July 17,1976-knocking out Champion Angel Espada in 2 rounds. Made 11 title defenses --knocking out 10 of 11 opponents in title defenses. A few of his noteworthy opponents were Angel Espada(KO 2,KO 12,KO 10)Clyde Gray(KO 2), Harold Weston(KO 10), Billy Backus(KO 2), Pete Ranzany(KO 2), Randy Shields(W15),Harold Volbrecht(KO 5). Then came Thomas Hearns who knocked him out in 2 rounds on August 2, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan. Later Pipino would fight Roberto Duran in a great fight in Los Angeles -Roberto Duran(KO 4)Cueves, But in all honesty, he was never the same after Tommy beat him. *SUGAR RAY LEONARD*- *WBC Welterweight Champion 1979-1982-Undisputed 1981-1982! *WBA Junior Middleweight Champion 1981! *Undisputed Middleweight Champion 1987 WBC Supermiddleweight/Lightheavyweight champion Smid 1988-1989, Light heavy 1988! **1976 wins Olympic Gold in the 139 Lbs class beating Cuban Andres Aldama! His overall amateur record was (155-5)!One of the greatest fighters of all time. Ray was known as a "television darling" until he proved he was one of the best fighters ever. He turned professional on February 5th, 1977. Fought some of the best fighters in the welterweight division quick before he won the title - guys like Randy Shields(W10),knocked out veteran Mando Muniz, beat NABF Titlist Pete Ranzany(KO 4). Then on November 30, 1979, he beat Wilfred Benitez(KO 15)for the WBC Welterweight title in a classic chess match of a fight-alot of the fighting on the inside, but Ray pulled it off with a late KO in the last round! After Wilfred, Ray fought an impressive list of fighters! Davey (Boy) Green(KO4), Roberto Duran(L15,KO8), Larry Bonds(KO 10), Ayub Kalule(KO 10)-in which he wins the WBA Junior Middlewieght title.. Next comes Thomas Hearns(KO 14)for Undisputed Welterweight Title! After Hearns came Bruce Finch(KO 3). Ray then retired-comes back- fights Kevin Howard(KO 9)1984, -then reretired then comes back in 1987 to fight Marvin Hagler-His opponents from this point on were Marvelous Marvin Hagler(W12),Donny Lalonde(KO9)Thomas Hearns(D12),Roberto Duran(W12). He has long layoff then from 1989 -1991 and then fights JR Middleweight Terry Norris(L12). Has another long layoff and and at 41 in 1997-fights Hector Camacho(KO by5) Great career for Sugar Ray Leonard who ends his career with a 36-3-1(25). *WILFRED BENITEZ* *WBA Junior Welterweight Champion 1976-1979 *WBC Welterweight Champion 1979 *WBC SuperWelterweight Champion 1981-1982 Wilfred Benitez was a classic boxer called "Superradar"! One of the best defensive fighters ever. He could get out of the way of a fighters punches with a little movement of the head and not be touched at all. He became the youngest man ever to win a world title when he beat longtime WBA Junior Middleweight champion Antonio Cervantes in 15 rounds on March 6, 1976. He became the youngest champion ever and that record holds today at 17 years old when he won the title. Imagine winning a title at 17? . He made 3 defenses of the title and then moved up and beat Carlos Palomino(W15) for the WBC Welterweight title in January,1979! Then came November 1979 when he met up with 1976 Olympic Gold medalist Sugar Ray Leonard on his first defense. In a classic fight -he was stopped minutes before the end of the fight in round 15! Then on May 23,1981- he challenged Maurice Hope for the WBC Superwelterweight title, and in a surprise result, knocked Maurice out with a single punch in round 12 to win the title!. In January 1982 in his first defense he beat Roberto Duran(W15) in a totally dominant performance where he outboxed and outfought Duran. Then in his next defense he defended his title against Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns on December 3, 1982. Hearns masterfully outboxed Wilfred and beat Wilfred for the WBC Superwelterweight title. After this Wilfred fought on but his glory days were over. He would fight Mustafa Hamsho, Matthew Hilton, Kevin Moley in later years, but never would he be on top again!. *ROBERTO DURAN* *WBA Lightweight title 1972-1978 *Undisputed Lightweight Champion* 1978 *WBC Welterweight Title 1980 *WBA Junior Middleweight title 1983-1984 *WBC Middleweight title 1989 Roberto Duran is one of the greatest fighters ever. He won his first title against Ken Buchanan on June 26, 1972(KO 14)- His list of lightweight challengers are impressive. He risked his title 12 times. His most noteworthy opponents are Esteban Dejesus(W10,KO 11,KO12.),Hector Thompson(KO 8),Ray Lampkin(KO14),Vilomar Fernandez(KO13),Edwin Viruet(W15). After unifying the title,Duran then moved up to Welterweight and after beating Carlos Palomino in 1979, fought for Ray Leonard's WBC Welterweight Title on June 25, 1980!. Outfighting Ray Leonard he won a 15 round decision- setting up the rematch! In the rematch the following November, Sugar Ray Leonard boxed and boxed and Duran complaining of stomach cramps and quit in round 8 dubbing the fight "no mas"! Roberto then moved up to Junior Middleweight losing to Wilfred Benitez(L15)for the WBC Superwelterweight title. His career looked about over when in 1983 he fought former welterweight champion Pipino Cueves in Los Angeles and beat Pipino(KO 4) in a wild fight. This win over Cueves set up Duran vs. a solid champion in WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Davey Moore. In a surprising fight, Duran beat Moore throughout the fight and knocked out Moore in Round 8. This set up Roberto Duran vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler! In a 15 round fight which Marvin fought cautiously, Roberto was leading on the cards going into the late rounds, but Marvin won the last 2 rounds securing the win and keeping his middleweight title(W15). Roberto then moved back down to Junior Middleweight, and the fight was made to challege Thomas Hearns for Tommy's WBC Supermiddleweight title he had won from Wilfred Benitez!-(Roberto was stripped of his WBA Title for fighting Tommy) The fight was on June 15, 1984- In a quick fight, Tommy knocked out Roberto in 2 rounds-Tommy was too quick and powerful for Roberto. Roberto then retired for 2 years and came back in June 1986-losing to Robbie Sims(W10). Then after a few years of small fights with top 20 contenders -In February, 1989- Roberto got a chance to fight Iran "the Blade" Barklay, who had knocked out Hearns in 3 rounds the previous June(1988). In a spectacular fight, Roberto prevailed to win the WBC Middleweight title. The following December, 1989-He challenged Ray Leonard for Ray's Supermiddleweight title and lost a 12round decision in an easy win for Ray. After this fight Roberto fought many fights but never really reached the plateau of the Hagler, Leonard, Hearns era. He has fought Camacho(L12), Pazienza(L12)(L12), Joppy(KO by 3). He is one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. My personal opinion is if presented with the right style, he could still do ok. *MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER* -UNDISPUTED MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION- 1980-1987- This fighter from Brockton, Massachusetts (and before that from New Jersey) began his professional boxing career in 1973 after a short (successful) amateur career. He is the epitome of the great warrior! He always came to fight and earned his way to the title more than anyone has in the modern era. He fought the "Philly Wars" with guys like Willie Monroe and Bennie Briscoe! His first title shot came on November 30, 1979 on the undercard of Sugar Ray Leonard/Wilfred Benitez. In a fight where he looked like he beat Champion Vito Antuofermo but he didn't press enough -like he could ->he got a draw and in draws the title remains with the Champion! A few months later Antuofermo was beaten by Minter so Minter became Hagler's target. Marvin Hagler and Alan Minter was then set for September 27, 1980 in England! This time Marvin does not let judges do the talking and stops Minter in Round 3 on cuts! The fans throw bottles at him ,but he escapes unscathed! His list of middleweight challengers is noteworthy. Fulgencio Obelmejias(KO8,KO5) Vito Antuofermo(KO5), Mustafa Hamsho(KO11,KO3), Caveman Lee(KO1), Tony Sibson(KO6), Wilford Scypion(KO4), Roberto Duran(W15), Juan Roldan(KO10), Thomas Hearns(KO3), John Mugabi(KO11), Sugar Ray Leonard(L12). Marvin won his fight with Duran after being too cautious in the early and mid-rounds, but pored it on at the end! Then he fought Thomas Hearns in a much anticipated fight This fight is the fight most regard as the greatest fight ever and at least the greatest first round ever, and Marvin takes a chance and rushes Tommy and it pays off and he knocks out Tommy. After Marvin struggles with Mugabi and Ray sees Marvin getting old,Sugar Ray Leonard comes out of retirement and beats Marvin, but this still has not deterred me from thinking he is one of the best ever. |
|
|
*IRAN BARKLAY*
WBC Middleweight Title 1988-1989 IBF SuperMiddleweight Title 1992-1993 WBA LightHeavyweight Title 1992 Iran "the Blade" Barklay is a warrior! He does not have the boxing skills of Sugar Ray Leonard, or the Championship skills of a Marvin Hagler, but he is a skilled fighter who happens to be the only man to beat Thomas two times. Much of this has to do with style, but just on that fact alone and his fight with Roberto Duran, Iran Barklay deserves a spot here as a great legend. He is a 3 time titlist with underrated skills. Iran started his professional career in 1984-fighting the likes of Robbie Sims(KO by 4), James Kinchen(W10), Sumbu Kalambay(L12),Michael Olajide(KO 4),Thomas Hearns(KO3,W12)Roberto Duran(L12),Michael Nunn(L12),Nigel Benn(KO1),Darrin VanHorn(KO2),James Toney(KO8),Henry Maske(KO by 9). Barklay was always a crude brawling type but had a good jab and speed with the right style. He beat James Kinchen in Detroit(W10) on the undercard of Hearns/Dewitt on October 18, 1986, and that propelled him to the top ten! He lost a decision vs Kalambe, but that seemed to make him more eager and more of a brawler. He beat Olajide in a wild fight where Barklay was knocked down but then came back and knocked down Olajide and a bit later the ref stopped it.-This set up his fight with Tommy Hearns on June 6, 1988. In a fight where Tommy was picking Barklay apart for 2 rounds-the 3rd round Tommy was doing a number on Barklay again- but this time going to the body and had Barklay almost bent over in pain. Just when it looked like the ref might stop the fight due to cuts over Barklay's eyes, Barklay landed a one in a million punch and knocked Hearns down. Hearns got up but after a little more action Ref. Steele stopped the fight and Barklay was champion. Iran Barklay then fought Roberto Duran in one of the best fights in the late 80's! -this will be remembered for years to come! Barklay has beaten the best and lost to the best. He is a legend primarily because two of the guys he fought came from the fab four of the 80s- (Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran). He made history with both of them for different reasons. Barklay fights on, but he is a heavyweight and has lost I think his last 4 fights. *VIRGIL HILL* WBA Lightheavyweight title 1987-1991 WBA Lightheavyweight title 1992-1997 IBF Lightheavyweight title 1996-1997 Virgil Hill is one of the best lightheavyweights of the modern era. A boxer with an excellent jab. He was an Olympic Silver medal winner at the 1984 Olympics. and on September, 05, 1987 he fought for the WBA Title vs. Champion Leslie Stewart. Virgil knocked Stewart out(KO4) in an upset win! Virgil's opponents after this have been many and some have been noteworthy. The noteworthy opponents have been. Jean Marie Emebe(KO11),Ramzi Hassan(W12),Bobby Czyz(W12),Joe Lasisi(KO7),James Kinchen(KO1),Thomas Hearns(L12),Frank Tate(W12,W12),Adolpho Washington (TW11),Fabrice Tiozzo(W12),Crawford Ashley(W12),Drake Thadzi(W12),Lou Devalle(W12),Henry Maske(W12),Dariusz Michalzewski(L12),Roy Jones(KO4) Virgil has fought some very good fighters and has 21 title defenses as a LightHeavyweight Champion which is the most for a Lightheavyweight champion ever. His fight vs. Thomas Hearns was on June 3, 1991. Virgil was a 4-1 favorite! Don't underestimate a legend and Virgil did just that-Tommy used his jab and boxing skill to outbox Virgil without having to use his legs much and unanimously beat Virgil for Virgil's WBA title! After Barklay beat Hearns again(1992) and vacated the title, Virgil beat Frank Tate for the vacated Title in late 1992-and made many more defenses -including winning the IBF title by beating Henry Maske in Germany in 1996! He lost to Michaelzewski(1997) and Jones(1998), but nevertheless he is older and a boxer, so those two do not go hand in hand.I regard him as one of the best lightheavies of all time. He was a great fighter, would have been greater had he learned to throw the right hand more. |
||
|
|
||
|
((Other opponents which
Tommy fought which deserve note here are below->They might not be legends but they were good fighters! First I will explain a little about the fighters and then I say what happened in the fight they had with Tommy!)) *CLYDE GRAY*- Contender in the welterweight division in the 70s. Fought Jose Napoles (L15), Angel Espada(L15) Pipino Cueves(KO2), Thomas Hearns(KO10). ((((He fought Thomas Hearns on January 13, 1979 and was koed in 10 rounds.))) *HAROLD WESTON*-Contender in the 70s. Fought Pipino Cueves(KO10), Wilfred Benitez(D10)(L15),Thomas Hearns(KO6). (((Stopped by Thomas Hearns in Round 6, on May 20, 1979.))) *BRUCE CURRY*- Fought Wilfred Benitez(W10),Thomas Hearns(KO3) was knocked out by Tommy in 3 rounds on June 28, 1979! Bruce later became WBC Junior Welterweight Champion (1983). (This was the fight Tommy suffered his first cut as a pro.) *SAENSAK MUANGSURIN*- Tommy knocked Muangsurin out in Round 3 on October 18, 1979. (Muangsurin held the record and might still for winning a title with the least amount of fights. I think he had 3 fights when he won a world title in 1975!) *ANGEL ESPADA*- Former WBA Welterweight Champion-fought many fellows, the noteworthy are Clyde Gray(W15), Pipino Cueves(KO2,KO12,KO10),Thomas Hearns(KO4) - (Thomas Hearns fights Espada on March 2, 1980 and knocks him out in round 4. Two fights later Tommy fights Cueves for the WBA Welterweight title.) *RANDY SHIELDS* - fought many guys like Wilfred Benitez(KO6),Sugar Ray Leonard( L10), Pipino Cueves(L15), Thomas Hearn(KO14) (Thomas fights Randy on April 25, 1981 in Phoenix and has a tough enough fight!,but Randy is stopped on cuts opening round 13,and Tommy retains his WBA Title on his 2nd defense of the welterweight title.) *MURRAY SUTHERLAND*- Became the first Super-middleweight World champion in history when he won the IBF title when it was created in the late 80's! Fought many good fighters like Matthew Saad Muhammad(KO9) Michael Spinks(KO8)Thomas Hearns(L10) . (Thomas outboxes Murray and wins a 10 round decision in Atlantic City in 1983!) *LUIGI MINCHILLO*- good junior middleweight contender. Fought Roberto Duran(L10) Thomas Hearns(L12),Mike McCallum(KO13) ((Thomas defends his WBC Supermiddleweight title for the first time and outpoints Luigi over 12 rounds. ) *JAMES SHULER*- Was part of the 1980 Olympic team which did not go to the olympics. He fought James Kinchen(W12), Thomas Hearns(KO1) Tommy's first fight after the Hagler fight! (This fight is on March 10, 1986 and Tommy right off goes to the body a little which sets up the right hand -lands the right and the fight is stopped- Hearns-KO1-Shuler) *MARK MEDAL*- former IBF Junior Middleweight Champion. fought-Earl Hargrove(KO5), Carlos Santos(L15),Thomas Hearns(KO8) (Thomas fights Medal in his last defense (4th defence)of the WBC Supermiddleweight title on June 23, 1986-. ) *DOUG DEWITT*- tough fighter from New York. Fought many top guys like Milton McCrory (L10), Thomas Hearns(L12), Sumbu Kalambe(KO5),Nigel Benn,James Toney, Matthew Hilton-Won WBO Middleweight Title when he fought Matthew for the vacant title in 1990. (Tommy fights Doug on October 17, 1986 and has a tough time, gets cut over both eyes but manages a unaninimous 12 round decision.) *DENNIS ANDRIES* - 3 time Light-heavyweight Champion! Fought Tony Sibson(KO9), Thomas Hearns(KO by 10), Tony Willis, Jeff Harding(KO by 12, KO 7, L12) (*Thomas Hearns fights Andries on March 7th, 1987 in his first fight as a lightheavy and outpunches Dennis and wins the WBC Light Heavyweight title. Dennis later wins the title 2 more times to make him a 3 time Light-Heavyweight Champion!) *JUAN ROLDAN*- tough middle contender. fought Frank Fletcher(KO5), Marvin Hagler (KO by 10), James Kinchen(KO 9), Thomas Hearns(KO by 4), Michael Nunn(KO by 8) In this fight (-Thomas Hearns wins his 4th title in 4 weight classes on October 29, 1987-by outbrawling Roldan in a wild fight. Roldan hurts Tommy in rounds 3 and 4, before Tommy comes back and knocks Roldan down and out.One year later Roldan retires after Michael Nunn stops him in round 8!) *JAMES KINCHEN*- fought many fighters -James Shuler(L12), Iran Barklay(L10)Juan Roldan (KO by 9)Thomas Hearns(L12), Virgil Hill(KO1), Prince Charles Williams(KO 2)(*Thomas Hearns fights James Kinchen for the newly created WBO Supermiddleweight title on November 5, 1988 after his fight with WBA champion ) Fulgencio Obelmejias is cancelled. Tommy has a tough time and is knocked down in round 4, but wins a split decision. One of Tommy's toughest fights! After James fights Tommy in 1988, he loses to Virgil Hill(1989) and Williams(1991)!) *MICHAEL OLAJIDE*- fought guys like Frank Tate(L15), Iran Barklay(KO by 4)Dennis Milton(KO 10), Thomas Hearns(L12) (The fight with Tommy is on April 28, 1990 in Atlantic City! Michael boxes all night but isn't boxing effectively and Tommy wins rounds with his superior jab--then he knocks Michael down in round 9! This seems to wake up Michael and he makes it into a brawl in rounds 9-11 until the last round when Tommy boxes. Tommy wins an easy 12 round decision.) *ANDREW MAYNARD*-Olympic gold medalist-1988. fought Bobby Czyz, Frank Tate, and Thomas Hearns. (In this fight,Tommy knocks Andrew out in Round one. ) *NATE MILLER*- has fought Al Cole(L12,L12)Orlin Norris(KO8,L12) Fabrice Tiozzo(L12),Thomas Hearns(L12) and was a long time champion. (Tommy fights Nate Miller on April 10, 1999 in Manchester, England for the IBO Cruiserweight Title. (Nate is in a survival mode and it is not an exciting fight! Tommy wins a 12 round decision in his first professional fight in England!) Page made by M.A.G *TO GET BACK TO MAIN HOMEPAGE CLICK THE WHITE HOME LINK ON THE LEFTSIDE OF THE PAGE! |
||
|
||