Thomas Hearns began the year 1983 on top of the world, but during training to stay in shape, hurt his right hand. So badly that he only fought one time the entire year, vs. Murray Sutherland on July 7th at Harrah’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Fighting as a middleweight, Thomas won a unanimous ten round decision on NBC tv. I wasn’t sure what his plans were at this point, but as it turned out, he wouldn’t step into the ring again until February 11, 1984.
Hearns defended his WBC super welterweight belt vs. Luigi Minchillo in his hometown of Detroit, at Joe Louis Arena. Tommy won an easy unanimous decision, setting up a huge fight for him, a June date with Roberto Duran in Las Vegas.
Hearns had boldly predicted a second round knockout of Duran during the pre-fight promotional tour, and I for one wanted to see it happen. I left work early that Friday, June 15th, and made my way to Liberty Bell Racetrack, a half hour from my airline job, and on my home towards New Jersey. It was 15 bucks to get in to see the fight, which they were showing on televisions all through the track. Normally it was 2 bucks to get in to bet on the trotters, so I had to laugh when I saw the gambling degenerates complaining about the high price of admission. My dad laughed that night when I got home when I told him that story, since he liked to go to the racetrack himself.
As I took my seat on a bench at the track, I anxiously awaited the main event. Thomas was aggressive from the start, and knocked Duran down with a perfect right hand on Duran’s chin. He also cut Roberto, and never let him into the fight. Hearns put him down again with a bunch of punches just before the round ended, with the last blow being a crushing body shot.
Tommy jumped right back on Duran in round two, and hammered him all over the ring. The end came when a spectacular fight hand smashed into Roberto’s face, instantly knocking him cold. He fell face first, and his cornerman picked him up and dragged him to his corner while he still out, trying to save him embarrassment. I loved every second of since I couldn’t stand Duran, and it remains today as my favorite knockout of all time.
The ‘Hit Man’ was back in the public’s mind, and it set up the real possibility of a clash with Marvin Hagler in the future. One thing was for certain, Tommy’s confidence was back, and I personally was glad to see him at the top of his game once again.
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