After winning his fourth title in four different divisions against Juan Roldan on October 29, 1987, Thomas Hearns took a break from the ring. When he returned on June 6, 1988, it was against Iran ‘The Blade’ Barkley at the Hilton in Las Vegas. I went over my sister’s house to watch it on pay-per-view, and it was for an amazing price of just $12.99. It would be the first of many pay-per-view buys over the years, and I remember it well.
For the first few rounds, Tommy was handling Barkley with ease, and landing crunching blows to his body, so many that I almost felt sorry for him. Out of nowhere however, a winding right hand put Hearns on the canvas. He was badly hurt, and quickly finished as soon as he arose. I was shocked at the sudden turn of events, and couldn’t believe Tommy had lost. I went home that night sick in my stomach, and that feeling resonated for days.
What made matters worse was having to read about it in the boxing magazines for months. The critics blasted Hearns for having no chin, and it made me sick. Guys who never laced up a pair of gloves knew a lot about something they never did. I may have my opinions, but anyone who steps into the ring has guts, professional or not.
Thomas regrouped and signed to fight James ‘The Heat’ Kinchen for the newly formed WBO super middleweight belt on November 4, 1988 at the Hilton in Vegas again. I went over my other sister’s house to watch this one on pay-per-view, and was sure hoping Tommy would win. I had seen Kinchen fight before, and he was a muscular, tough boxer. It wouldn’t be an easy night, and I was nervous as the opening bell rang.
Sure enough, Kinchen dropped Tommy midway through the fourth round, and jumped all over him as soon as he got up. Hearns grabbed and held so much the rest of the round, that Mills Lane deducted a point from him. Whatever it took he survived, and battled back in the next round. The action remained back and forth the entire twelve round distance, and when it was over, I knew it was close. Fortunately Tommy won the decision, and was now a champion again.
Even though I never recognized the WBO as a legitimate organization, I was glad Tommy pulled off the victory, leaving me a lot happier on my drive home that night. There were talks of a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1989 taking place, and that was certainly something to look forward to when the new year began.
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