Thomas Hearns, the American former professional boxer, has a net worth of $450 thousand. Born on October 18, 1958, Hearns competed in boxing from 1977 to 2006. He earned the nicknames “Motor City Cobra” and “The Hitman” due to his tall, slender build and exceptional boxing skills.
Hearns made history by becoming the first boxer ever to win world titles in five different weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight.
Throughout his career, he showcased devastating punching power, even as he moved up in weight classes. He was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1980 and 1984. Hearns was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.
Here’s the breakdown of his net worth:
| Name: | Thomas “Hitman” Hearns |
| Net Worth: | $450 Thousand |
| Monthly Salary: | $40 Thousand |
| Annual Income: | $300 Thousand |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Boxer |
Learn more: Richest Boxers in the World
Table of Contents
Early Life
Thomas Hearns, born on October 18, 1958, in Grand Junction, Tennessee, had a humble upbringing as the youngest of three children in his mother’s first marriage. His family grew when his mother remarried, bringing six more children into the household. Hearns and his siblings were raised by their mother in Grand Junction until he was five years old, after which they relocated to Detroit, Michigan.
During his amateur career, Hearns displayed his talent and determination, amassing an impressive record of 155-8. In 1977, he achieved a significant milestone by winning the National Amateur Athletic Union Light Welterweight Championship, defeating Bobby Joe Young from Steubenville, Ohio, in the finals.
Moreover, Hearns claimed victory in the 1977 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Championship, further solidifying his skills and potential in the sport of boxing. These early achievements laid the foundation for his successful professional career in the years to come.
Professional Boxing Career
Thomas Hearns, under the guidance of Emanuel Steward, embarked on his professional boxing career in Detroit, Michigan, in 1977. Known for transforming Hearns from a light-hitting amateur into one of the most formidable punchers in boxing history, Steward played a crucial role in shaping Hearns’s success.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hearns secured an impressive six major world titles in five different weight classes. Notably, he emerged victorious against renowned boxing hall of famers, including José “Pipino” Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez, Virgil Hill, and Roberto Durán. Moreover, Hearns captured the IBO title at Cruiserweight, further solidifying his prowess in the sport.
Hearns initiated his professional journey with an awe-inspiring knockout streak, dispatching his first 17 opponents with his devastating power. In 1980, carrying an undefeated record of 28-0, he faced Mexico’s Cuevas in a world title match, triumphing with a second-round TKO and ending Cuevas’s four-year reign. This remarkable victory led to Hearns being named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine in 1980.
Hearns elevated his career by moving up in weight and claiming the WBC Super Welterweight (154 lb) title from the legendary Wilfred Benítez in 1982. His reign in this weight class included impressive triumphs over renowned opponents such as Roberto Durán, Fred Hutchings, and Mark Medal. Notably, his second-round knockout of Durán, becoming the first boxer to achieve such a feat, earned him his second “Fighter of the Year” award in 1984.
While still holding the super-welterweight title, Hearns ventured into the middleweight division for a historic clash against undisputed middleweight champion Marvin Hagler in 1985. Their epic battle, often hailed as one of the greatest in boxing history, showcased tremendous back-and-forth action.
Despite breaking his right hand in the first round, Hearns displayed remarkable resilience. However, a crushing right hand from Hagler in the third round ultimately led to the referee stopping the fight. Although Hearns suffered a defeat, his performance earned immense respect from fans and experts alike.
Following his memorable encounter with Hagler, Hearns embarked on a successful comeback. He scored notable victories, including a first-round knockout against rising star James “Black Gold” Shuler in 1986. In a display of sportsmanship, Hearns presented the NABF championship belt to Shuler’s family after his tragic death in a motorcycle accident.
Hearns continued his journey by securing the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1987 with a tenth-round stoppage of Dennis Andries. Later that year, he claimed the vacant WBC middleweight title by overpowering Juan Roldán.
In 1988, Hearns faced an unexpected defeat against Iran Barkley, losing his WBC middleweight title via a third-round TKO in an upset recognized as the 1988 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine. However, he quickly rebounded by capturing the inaugural WBO super-middleweight title in November of the same year, becoming the first boxer to win titles in five weight divisions.
In 1989, Hearns eagerly awaited a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, this time contending for Leonard’s WBC super-middleweight title and Hearns’s WBO title. The highly anticipated bout, often perceived as a victory for Hearns, ended controversially with a draw, despite him flooring Leonard in the third and eleventh rounds.
Later Career
After his remarkable accomplishments, Thomas Hearns continued to showcase his skills and resilience in his later career, leaving a lasting impact on the boxing world.
In 1991, Hearns delivered a final outstanding performance as he took on the undefeated WBA light-heavyweight champion, Virgil Hill. Utilizing his boxing finesse, Hearns returned to his amateur roots and outclassed the champion, securing a convincing decision victory and adding a sixth world title to his already illustrious career. This win highlighted his versatility and adaptability inside the ring.
However, on March 20, 1992, Hearns suffered a split decision loss to his familiar opponent, Iran Barkley, relinquishing the title he had recently won. Despite this setback, Hearns remained determined and continued competing, securing victories in his next eight bouts, showcasing his enduring skill and passion for the sport.
In an unexpected turn of events, on June 23, 1997, Hearns made an appearance on a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) telecast. Engaged in a storyline where he was taunted and challenged by professional wrestler Bret “Hitman” Hart, who accused Hearns of stealing his nickname, Hearns took action and attacked Jim Neidhart, knocking him down with a series of punches before officials intervened.
On November 6, 1998, Hearns participated in a boxing match that featured a rare occurrence—a double knockdown. During the first round, both Hearns and his opponent, Jay Snyder, landed simultaneous punches. Hearns delivered a devastating right hand to Snyder’s chin, while Snyder’s left jab connected with Hearns’s chin. Although Snyder failed to beat the referee’s count, Hearns rose before the ten-second mark, resulting in a first-round knockout victory.
In April 1999, Hearns traveled to England and secured the IBO cruiserweight title by defeating Nate Miller through a unanimous decision. However, in his subsequent fight in April 2000 against Uriah Grant, Hearns faced a setback. The first round proved competitive, with Hearns appearing hurt by a solid right to the jaw. As both fighters exchanged blows in the second round, Hearns sustained a right ankle injury, compelling him to retire at the end of the round. Despite the disappointment, Hearns reassured his fans of his return, displaying his unwavering determination.
Hearns continued to fight twice more, winning both bouts by TKO. His final professional fight took place on February 4, 2006, against Shannon Landberg, marking the end of an extraordinary boxing career that spanned nearly three decades.
Hearns vs. Leonard Earnings
The highly anticipated showdown between Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981 not only marked a significant moment in their boxing careers but also set a new benchmark for earnings in the sport. At the time of the fight, Hearns boasted an impressive undefeated record of 32-0, making him a formidable opponent. However, Leonard emerged victorious, handing Hearns his first professional loss.
While the defeat was a setback for Hearns, there was a silver lining in the form of the substantial earnings generated from the bout. Both Hearns and Leonard amassed an astounding combined purse of $17 million, which, when adjusted for inflation, is equivalent to an impressive $50 million in today’s dollars.
Financial Difficulties
Despite his achievements, Hearns faced personal financial difficulties that led to the auctioning of his possessions in 2010. He auctioned items such as a 1957 Chevy, a 47′ Fountain boat, and collectible memorabilia to repay a debt of $250,000 owed to the IRS. Hearns took full responsibility for the debt, citing his generosity towards his extended family as a contributing factor.
Personal Life
Thomas Hearns’s personal life is intertwined with the world of sports and his hometown of Detroit. His family is deeply involved in the Detroit sports scene, with his mother, Lois Hearns, being a fight promoter. Together, they run Hearns Entertainment, which has organized numerous boxing events, including the high-profile Mike Tyson-Andrew Golota bout in 2000. Hearns resides in Southfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
Notably, Hearns’s son, Ronald Hearns, followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in boxing. Ronald fought on the undercard of Thomas Hearns’s final fights, showcasing the family’s continued involvement in the sport.
Outside of boxing, Hearns serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Detroit Police Department, contributing to his community in a different capacity.
In 2012, Hearns received a parking ticket for parking in the middle of the road, a incident that garnered attention and was featured on the television show Parking Wars. Hearns promptly paid the ticket, showcasing his willingness to abide by the law.
Favourite Thomas Hearns Quotes
The loss just made me hungry; it made me want to go out and win another title.
Some people are going to be happy with my decision, some people aren’t… But I must live my life.
I’m going to fight again because this wasn’t a fight.
In boxing, everybody has their favorites.