by James Slater – It seems as though ring legend Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns is adamant about fighting again. As recently as this year, it had been reported in Detroit that the former multi-weight world champion (welter, light-middle, middle, super-middle and light-heavy, in case anyone’s forgotten) has spoken of fighting again at the age of 50. And now, as has been revealed in The Detroit News, Hearns has again been talking about coming back “to get one more [world title].”
Hearns, who will turn 51 in October, has not fought since his last comeback in 2006, but he has never stopped training and the reason why is because Tommy wants to be ready should an opportunity arise. According to The Detroit News, the all-time great works out a few days a week with his son, Ronald Hearns (who is currently preparing to return to the ring after suffering his first loss as a pro).
Tommy says his health is fine and that people are wrong to call him old..
“I keep myself in fair condition so I can give myself an opportunity,” Hearns said. “A lot of people think that because I’m older, I should stop. I’ll stop when I’m ready. If you feel old, then you think you’re old and you are old. I’ve got the heart and the mind to go for one more title.”
Reportedly, Tommy wants to challenge for a version of the light-heavyweight title, feeling he would stand a realistic chance against a Jean Pascal or a Zsolt Erdei or one of the other reigning alphabet champs at 175-pounds. Hearns could doubtless make the weight okay, but no way would any organisation sanction him unless he won a meaningful bout first – if even then. But Tommy says his past achievements more than make it okay for him to go straight into a title fight without proving himself worthy.
“I’m going to get one more [world title] and show that I can do what I want to do,” he continued. “It’s just a matter of getting the right opponent……just time. It’s not like I’ve got to go out and prove myself.”
Tommy must have forgotten how faded he looked in his two most recent wins – over John Long in 2005 and then Shannon Landberg in 2006. Though Hearns won both bouts inside the distance he had little power compared to his heyday and he was easier to hit than ever before. Hearns is right when he says he has nothing to prove to anyone; but as far as his past glories making it credible for him to challenge a world champion approx half his age, he is way off mark.
A pro since way back in 1977, a world champion in five different weight classes and the first man in history to win titles in four divisions, one would think Tommy had done more than enough to be able to feel content. Apparently not.