Boxing legend Thomas Hearns created a legacy in his career that could not be easily replicated.
‘The Hitman’ hung up his gloves in 2006 with a TKO win over Shannon Landberg, rounding out his professional record at 61-5.
Roberto Duran is among the notable wins for Hearns, as well as going to battle with Marvin Hagler in 1985.
With notable names on his resume, in 1991, Hearns was able to have a truly impressive performance despite the odds.
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Thomas Hearns defeated Virgil Hill to become light heavyweight world champion
After Hearns’ rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard resulted in a split draw, ‘The Hitman’ won his following three fights.
Now with a record of 50-3-1, Hearns challenged WBA World Light Heavyweight champion Virgil Hill. The bout would be Hearns’ fourth fight in the weight class, as Hill was looking for his 11th title defense.
The pair fought on June 3rd, 1991, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
The defending champion would have his perfect 30-0 record spoiled by Hearns, who claimed victory. Both men had significant success across the 12 rounds of action, however, it was the challenger who was an undeniable winner via unanimous decision.
Using his jab excellently, Hearns was able to overcome the odds as a sizable underdog to reclaim a world title in a fifth weight class. Hearns previously held the WBC World Light Heavyweight title in 1987.
Hill would eventually be able to reclaim his light heavyweight belt, as well as pick up a world title at cruiserweight. Finishing his career with a record of 51-7, one of Hill’s most notable losses was to Roy Jones Jr.
Thomas Hearns was the first five-division world champion
Between 1980 and 1988, Hearns would claim world titles across five different weight classes for the first time.
The first world title ‘The Hitman’ would claim was the WBA World Welterweight title as Hearns defeated Jose Cuevas in 1980. Two years later, a win over Wilfred Benitez, the youngest-ever world champion, would make Hearns a super welterweight title holder as well.
A failed middleweight world title attempt against Hagler would briefly deny Hearns a championship belt in a third weight division. However, in March 1987, a win over Dennis Andries made Hearns a light heavyweight champion for the first time.
Following his title win at 175 lbs, he immediately returned to the middleweight division. Facing Juan Domingo Roldan for the vacant WBC title, Hearns was victorious.
Although Hearns dropped the belt to Iran Barkley in his next fight, 1988 would see him compete for the inaugural WBO World Super Middleweight title. Defeating James Kinchen, Hearns became the first ever quintuple boxing champion in November 1988.