Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns I
Date / site: Sept. 16, 1981 / Las Vegas
Result: Leonard TKO 14
From rock-and-roll to vintage cars, classic is an overused word. It’s another sales pitch. But there’s only one Leonard-Hearns I. It’s a standard, a reference point for what classic really means. It was a fight in which the welterweights switched styles. The boxer, Leonard, became the stalker. The puncher, Hearns, became the boxer. And the puncher won. Leonard was behind on the cards after 12 rounds, prompting trainer Angelo Dundee to issue his classic warning: “You’re blowing it, son.” Leonard took heed. He hurt Hearns multiple times in Round 13, putting him down late, and then finished the job the following round. Great fighter, great finish.