Thomas Hearns

Thomas Hearns was a legendary American professional boxer.

He was known by names like "the Hitman" and the "Motor City Cobra." His tall and slender build helped him move through many weight classes. He had very long arms and broad shoulders. These features allowed him to hit with great power. He became the first boxer to win world titles in five different weight divisions. These divisions included welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. He even won a title at cruiserweight later in his career.

Winning in boxing requires great skill and training. Hearns started his professional career in Detroit, Michigan, in 1977. He worked under a trainer named Emanuel Steward. Steward helped change Hearns from a light hitter into a powerful puncher. Hearns was very successful at the start of his pro career. He actually knocked out his first 17 opponents in a row. He also had a very strong amateur record of 155 wins and 8 losses. This strong start helped him reach the top of the sport.

Hearns grew up in Grand Junction, Tennessee. He was the youngest of three children in his mother's first marriage. His family later moved to Detroit, Michigan, when he was five years old. His mother, Lois Hearns, raised him and his siblings. She even became a fight promoter later in life. Hearns's family remains a big part of the Detroit sports scene today. His son, Ronald Hearns, also followed in his footsteps to become a boxer. This shows how boxing can be a family tradition.

Many famous fights defined his career. In 1980, he beat José "Pipino" Cuevas to win a world title. He fought Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981 in a match called "The Showdown." This fight was huge and earned 17 million dollars for the two men. In 1984, he knocked out the legend Roberto Durán. This big win helped him earn the Fighter of the Year award. He won that special honor twice, in 1980 and 1984. He also fought Marvin Hagler in a famous battle called "The War."

Hearns's hard work earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was inducted into this hall in June 2012. Experts still rank him as one of the greatest punchers ever. He is number 18 on a list of the 100 greatest punchers. He also ranks as the 78th greatest pound for pound boxer. Even after his boxing days, he stayed active in his community. He served as a Reserve Police Officer for the Detroit Police Department.