Boxing Memorabilia > Boxing Autographs >
Thomas Hearns Signed
20x24 Picture
Roughly 20x24 inches in size, we put together
this ready to frame image from the defining fight in the
career of boxing legend, Thomas Hearns. This is from the
FIRST EVER private signing with Thomas Hearns. We only had
19 of these done. Comes with a photo of hearns signing!
Thomas Hearns
£99.00
Tommy’s finest win was achieved while
fighting at his best weight and this produced his finest
KO. He never lost as a light middleweight and those who
saw his complete destruction of Roberto Duran were witness
to a flawless fighting machine. On the day of this fight,
in June 1984, A boxing legend reached the pinnacle of his
career. This KO victory was the quintessential Thomas Hearns!
The late, great Chuck Hull informed us that
Tommy wanted to be known as “The Motor City Cobra”
no longer, he was returning as Thomas “The Hitman”
Hearns! In the opposite corner stood Duran, “Hands
of stone”, as his nickname proclaimed, and after the
introductions were done an intense stare down ensued.
In his previous fight Roberto had gone the
full fifteen rounds with Marvellous Marvin Hagler, losing
a close decision. His fight record was an incredible 77
wins with only five defeats. He had never been KO’d
and the only man to ever floor him was Esteban De Jesus,
back in Roberto’s lightweight days. (Duran was beaten
inside the distance, in the infamous “No Mas”
fight with Ray Leonard, but he was never floored in this
bout) He was as tough as they come and as he stood face
to face with Hearns he wore the familiar snarl he used to
intimidate opponents. He showed no fear, making the developments
to come all the more shocking.
They came out at the opening bell and in a
show of mutual respect touched gloves. A surprise after
the intensity of the stare down. Duran tried to get to Hearns’
body but he was soon in trouble. He was backed up to the
ropes as Hearns fired in some fast rights and uppercuts.
Roberto was cut with less than two minutes gone and then,
with less than thirty seconds to go, a crushing right hand
to the side of the head dumped him on the canvas. Tommy
was looking absolutely awesome and he tore into Duran as
soon as the action resumed. He let loose with an array of
super fast punches and decked “Hands of stone”
for a second time, with a left on this occasion. Duran was
still beckoning Hearns in just prior to this but he looked
to be doing so purely on instinct, he was being slaughtered!
The bell rang, saving Roberto from the ultimate humiliation
of a first round KO loss. He was so groggy he walked to
the wrong corner! There was no way he could come back from
this. Hearns had predicted a quick win and he was living
up to his word. Duran’s reputation meant absolutely
nothing to him, such was his complete belief in the lethalness
of his hands.
Round two started and again they touched gloves.
Hearns then went back to what he was doing in the first
round and the end came with brutally swift efficiency. Forced
to the ropes again, Duran tried his best to fight back but
it was a helpless cause. Then the punch landed. THE punch
of Hearns’ career. A right hand blow that was nothing
short of chilling. A perfectly
timed and delivered sledgehammer thudded into Duran’s
head and he pitched forwards and crashed face down on the
mat. He was totally out. This punch may well have been the
most perfect right hand ever thrown. It produced a KO that
would grace any boxer’s highlight reel. This remarkable
example of his adeptness at destruction sent shockwaves
through the boxing world and from then on all fighters,
whether light middleweights, or fully fledged middleweights,
would have to be aware of the fact that if they made one
mistake while in the ring with Tommy, it could be the end
of them.
