Tommy Hearns’ career is the very definition of “what if.”
In the most significant moments of perhaps the greatest era of American boxing, Hearns seemed to come up short in most of his iconic fights.
It all started on the night of September 16th, 1981.
Hearns stood face-to-face with American Olympic superhero Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard had been part of the famed 1976 Olympic boxing team that featured the likes of Michael and Leon Spinks, Howard Davis, and Leo Randolph.
No matter the outcome, the first Hearns-Leonard fight would be career-defining for both fighters.
Hearns would have the chance to knock off an American icon.
Leonard would have the opportunity to get further away from his first fight against Roberto Duran, which ended in a loss. Even though Leonard would avenge the loss, it was tainted, in part, because Duran came into the rematch grossly out of shape. If you look at Duran’s career after his first fight with Leonard, it’s very unspectacular.
The Hearns fight would be Leonard’s first mega-fight since the Duran fights.
Hearns established his jab and a solid lead on the scorecards. Two of the three judges had Hearns winning four of the first five rounds. The other judge had Hearns winning all five rounds.
Leonard gained traction in the middle rounds by dominating the sixth and seventh rounds before Hearns regained control in the ninth.
Then the 13th round happened. Hearns slowed as Leonard picked up after Angelo Dundee’s famous statement, “You’re blowing it, son.”
Leonard stalked Hearns and, after landing a combination, would eventually put Hearns almost through the ropes.
It was official. Hearns was on borrowed time.
Leonard came out and peppered Hearns like he was a sparring partner, and at the 1:45 mark of the 14th round, Leonard would raise his arms in victory.
Hearns had won nine rounds on two scorecards and eight on the other, but his body couldn’t hold up.
It would take eight years before we saw the two icons in the ring facing each other again.
For Hearns, during that period, he had lost another mega-fight (Marvin Hagler), scored a spectacular knockout (Duran), and suffered an inexplicable loss (Iran Barkley).
Leonard had started his yo-yo act of retiring and unretiring, but during that period, he had an unbelievable win over Hagler, sending the Marvelous one to retirement.
Leonard followed up that win with a knockout victory over Donny Lalonde, and the stage was finally set for his overdue rematch with Hearns.
It’s time to take a look at the Hearns-Leonard 2.
Round 1
Hearns started off the round, controlling the distance and tempo of the round with his jab and movement. As the round went on, Leonard shortened the distance between the two combatants and took over the round with his speed. Leonard 10-9
Round 2
Hearns was more prepared for Leonard’s counterpunching tactics as he became more active as the round went on. Leonard’s early round strategy is built around counterpunching and working Hearns’ body. Hearns 10-9 (19-19)
Round 3
Hearns landed his trademark right hand, which hurt Leonard and eventually sent him to the canvas. What happened after that would define the round. Leonard would get up and come out aggressively. Hearns decided to be careful and not press Leonard because he didn’t want to get caught with a hard punch like he did when he thought he had Marvin Hagler hurt. Hearns 10-8 (Hearns 29-27)
Round 4
That was Leonard’s best round of the fight, but it didn’t start that way. Once again, Leonard stood flat-footed before Hearns and got peppered with the jab. Leonard would incorporate a little movement and, all of a sudden, found plenty of openings in Hearns’ defense. Leonard 10-9 (Hearns 38-37)
Round 5
What might have been for Hearns? For the first minute or so, he was dominating Leonard, coming in behind the jab and landing a hard right hand. But Hearns threw the round away when Leonard landed a hard left hand. Leonard drove Hearns to the ropes, and you could see Richard Steele looking carefully as if he was considering stopping the fight. Hearns barely survived the round. Leonard 10-9 (Tie 47-47)
Round 6
Round six was your classic. What part of the round do you value? The round started with Hearns hitting Leonard with left jabs, which was adequate but very unexciting. The second half saw Leonard take control of the round more eye-pleasingly. Leonard 10-9 (Leonard 57-56)
Round 7
Hearns came out and established himself with a crushing onslaught that hurt Leonard. Unlike Round Three, when Hearns had Leonard hurt and sty, he went after him but didn’t do it intelligently. Leonard had a few good moments, especially when he went to the body, but it was a Hearns round. Hearns 10-9 (Tie 66-66)
Round 8
Round eight saw both fighters take a deep breath, using the round as the bridge to the final quarter of the fight. Leonard did attempt to steal the round with an excellent three-punch combination, but more was needed. Hearns 10-9 (Hearns 76-75)
Round 9
Round nine has been the most exciting round to score thus far. Leonard hurt Hearns late in the round, but Hearns won the other parts of the round clearly and decisively. Do you reward Leonard for staggering Hearns or give the round to Hearns because he was the better fighter for 99% of the round? Hearns 10-9 (Hearns 86-84)
Round 10
Leonard came out fast, and it looked like Hearns was still hurt from the end of the ninth, but, for some reason, he took his foot off the pedal. Hearns recovered as the round progressed, but Leonard easily won it. Leonard 10-9 (Hearns 95-94)
Round 11
Hearns sends Leonard to the canvas for the second time in the fight but he couldn’t put him away. In fact, Leonard was more dangerous after he got up, similar to the Donny Lalonde fight. Hearns 10-8 (105-102)
Round 12
Hearns came out fast but quickly allowed a desperate Leonard take control of the round. Hearns was being beaten and battered around the ring. Leonard 10-9 (Hearns 114-112)
MTC Media Scorecard: Hearns 114-112
Harold Lederman Scorecard: Hearns 115-111
Official Scorecards
Tom Kaczmarek: Leonard 113-112
Dalby Shirley: 112-112
Jerry Roth: Hearns 113-112
Despite the two knockdowns, Hearns didn’t get his revenge because Leonard was given a 10-8 round by all three judges without a knockdown with Kaczmarek giving him two 10-8 rounds.
It clearly cost Hearns a fight that he clearly won.
