Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns! Part 2

Trainer Angelo Dundee Re-invigorated Sugar Ray Leonard

While Leonard closed the gap between the boxers on the scorecards, it was "The Motor City Cobra" Thomas "Hitman" Hearns who still held a safe lead after round 12. Sugar Ray Leonard's eye injury had grown into a very noticeable mark that almost closed his eye. It was during the moment between rounds 12 and 13 that Leonard's trainer , Angelo Dundee, said the now legendary words of "You're blowing it, son;  "You're blowing it" to his protégé.  Those words re-invigorated Sugar Ray Leonard, and when he came out for round 13 Leonard was charging Hearns like a wounded lion, dropping the Hitman near the ropes with rapid combinations that almost cause Hearns to fall off the ring. "The Motor City Cobra" Thomas "Hitman" Hearns rose, but he was dropped again near the end of the round, when he touched the canvas with his left hand in an attempt to rise, another flurry of combination punches from Sugar Ray Leonard.

"The Motor City Cobra" Went On To Win More World Championship

Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns also known as the Motor City Cobra appeared to be spent by the beginning of round 14, and Sugar Ray Leonard pinned him against the ropes, where he unleashed a combination of punches until referee David Pearl stopped the contest, giving Sugar Ray Leonard the unified world Welterweight championship by a technical knockout in round 14. The fight had deep consequences for both fighters: Ray Leonard's eye injury turned out to be a detached retina, for which he had to retire for the first time in 1982. Sugar Ray Leonard would come back and retire several times later, and he would win more world titles, but he was never able to sustain a return to boxing. He diversified, participating in commercials for Golden Skillet chicken, Ford trucks and Franklin sporting goods, among others. Thomas Hearns resented all the attention given to Sugar Ray Leonard after their first encounter. As a modern day boxer in the 21st century, Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather is good, but not in comparison with these two guys; Leonard and Hearns

The Motor City Cobra Made Good Use of Jabs Hurting Ray Leonard

"The Motor City Cobra" Thomas "Hitman" Hearns went on to win more world championships, and he was involved in super-fights against Benitez, Duran and Marvin Hagler. But Thomas Hearns still felt that resentment against Sugar Ray Leonard, believing that it would have been him getting all the endorsements had Sugar Ray Leonard not beaten him. Their rematch finally came along eight years later, 12^th June 1989, again at the Caesar's Palace hotel. Despite the fact that both fighters were considered by many to be over the hill, as they say in boxing, the fight still raised much interest from boxing fans around the world. Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns dropped Sugar Ray Leonard in round three, and again in the 11th round. Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns made good use of his jab during the fight, hurting Sugar Ray  Leonard repeatedly.

Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard Rivalry In The 1980's Were Unmatched

But Sugar Ray Leonard hurt "The Motor City Cobra" in round 7, and a barrage of punches by Sugar Ray Leonard late in round 12 had "The Hitman" reeling against the ropes. Sugar Ray Leonard's aggressiveness combined with the Motor City Cobra's jab attack and his two knockdowns of Leonard, had the judges score the fight a draw. Currently, Sugar Ray Leonard was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Thomas Hearns was not yet an Hall of Famer partly because he has continued boxing until recently, but most critics agree that such a great fighter as Hearns will surely  join Sugar Ray Leonard in the Hall of Fame in due course. Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard spoke to each other after their two fights, and they appeared to be on quite friendly terms. The rivalry between Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard were unmatched, will be remembered for several years to come by all critics and boxing fans around the world as one of the greatest of their class in boxing history. These two boxers along with Marvin Hagler gave us the boxing fans memorable boxing in the 1980's, which will not be witness in the boxing ring for years to come. They were just simply, great boxers.  Thomas Hearns was eventually inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1997. The greatest thrills in boxing have come with the Detroit Motor City Cobra.

Hit Man Became A Superstar In His Own Rights

Although Thomas Hearns was frequently overshadowed by the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvellous Marvin Hagler during his career, the Hitman became a superstar in his own right, eventually posting a 59 - 4 - 1 46 KO's record, winning seven world championships titles in six different weight classes during his 22 year pro career. During his career he beat such notables as Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas, Roberto Duran, Virgil Hill, Michael Olajide, Dennis Andries, Mark Medal and Wilfredo Benitez. Hearns won his first championship by KO'ing the legendary Pipino Cuevas in the second round of their fight in 1980. After defending the WBC welterweight championship successfully three times, he suffered his first career defeat at the hands of Leonard in 1981.

Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns Part 2