ATLANTA (AP) — Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, who helped boxing flourish in the 1980s with his high-profile fights says current stars should adapt a similar willingness to take on all challengers.
Hearns, the first man to win titles in four divisions, says he fought in an era when champions and contenders felt obliged to satisfy the public’s demand for showdown fights. Some of his memorable bouts were against Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran,
Boxing’s current top story is the inability of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Manny Pacquiao to agree on a fight. Hearns said Thursday they should “put it all on the line and go for it.”
The 53-year-old Hearns is being honored at the Georgia Boxing Championships for his recent election into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.