Thomas Hearns was the other up and coming welterweight on the scene in 1980. The 6 foot 1 inch fighter from Detroit had been managed by Emanuel Steward, and fought out of the Kronk Gym. Thomas could box and was very successful doing that as an amateur, but as a professional most of his fights had ended in knockout. He and Ray Leonard had been rivals since the amateurs, and with Ray now holding the WBC belt, were on an inevitable collision course to match their skills.
Sugar Ray lost his title to Roberto Duran on June 20 of that year, and the fight with Hearns was on the back burner. Thomas took on tough Mexican Pipino Cuevas on August 2, 1980 in his hometown of Detroit. The Hit-Man toyed with the overmatched Cuevas for 2 rounds, and put him on the canvas with a couple of devastating right hands. He finished him off not long after he courageously got up, but the torch had been passed. Thomas was the new WBA welterweight champion of the world, and boxing had a great new champion on the scene.
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