by James Slater: Known as “The Chosen One,” Ronald Hearns, son of course of the legendary Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, made a fine start to his pro career back in 2004. Wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, Ronald showed he had inherited at least a portion of Tommy’s boxing skill, along with a touch of his power, as he romped to a straight 21 wins, most of them coming via stoppage. However, the 31-year-old hit a major bump in the form of Harry Joe Yorgey in his first step up in class, being halted in the 9th-round of a very good fight in March of last year.
Since then, the Michigan hope has fought somewhat sporadically. Two fights came last year, after the loss to Yorgey, and thus far Hearns has had just two bouts (also both wins) in 2010. But the young Hearns is set to return to action in October; after having endured the longest inactive spell (six months) of his pro career. Ronald will square off with Yemen’s Brian Mihtar in Ontario, Canada on October 9th, in what could be an interesting and competitive fight.
Now 25-1(19), Hearns’ going in against the never-stopped 30-year-old with the 13-1(10) record shows how he has retained the desire to get some place in his chosen sport. Okay, Mihtar, also living in Michigan today, is no big name or massive talent, but he has a good record, is dangerous and has never been halted. Perhaps even a 50-50-type match-up, Hearns-Mihtar should be fun to watch.
Hearns has fluctuated between light-middle and full middleweight during his career, and so has Mihtar, although the slightly younger man has also fought as high as 171-pounds before. Also like Hearns, Mihtar began his pro career facing so-so opposition mostly in Detroit and Michigan, going to 9-0 before dropping a six-round UD to one Chris Gray in April of 2008. Hearns has boxed in Canada before, while Mihtar has not, and whoever wins the scheduled middleweight ten-rounder will see his career go onwards and maybe upwards. The loser may have nowhere to go.
Hearns has had twice as much pro experience as Mihtar, but the man from Yemen had a far longer amateur career than did his rival. Also, Mihtar, a naturally heavy-handed fighter, was trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward in the early days of his pro career. Both men have had their share of quality sparring in recent times, and the winner of October’s clash will have also won bragging rights in the Michigan area.
The shaven-headed Mihtar, known as “The Lion,” was seen as something of a hot prospect at one time (perhaps he still is), and he will know he must make the most of this fight, coming as it is against his most high profile opponent. Hearns certainly had some of the confidence knocked out of him in the loss to Yorgey (a fight that also saw the winner on the floor by the way), and his activity level has been far from great recently.
Both guys can be aggressive, and both can box. Mihtar probably has the more reliable chin. A close one to call, I see Hearns winning a hard-fought decision.