DETROIT, Michigan, 3 July 2005 — Boxing legend Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns will return to the ring here on July 30 at age 46 and after a five-year retirement when he faces American journeyman John Long.
Hearns announced his comeback Friday, the 1980s American boxing legend saying he was returning to the ring at Cobo Arena against Long, 35, despite his former manager and trainer Emanuel Steward trying to talk him out of it.
“My ultimate goal is to win another championship,” Hearns said. “It has been heavy on my mind.”
Hearns is a seven-time world champion from welterweight to light heavyweight whose most recent bout was a loss to Uriah Grant here in April of 2000, an ankle injury leaving Hearns unable to compete after the second round.
It’s not the way Hearns wants his fabled fight career to finish.
“I’m my own man,” Hearns said. “Emanuel is not too happy I’m boxing. But I make my own decisions. I have to come back and show it was just a fluke. I’m physically able to do it.
“In life, you go through different phases. Some people are going to be happy (with my decision). Some people aren’t. But I must live my life.”
Hearns has a record of 59-5 with one draw and 46 knockouts and will fight Long in a bout midway between cruiserweight and light-heavyweight divisions on the same card as his unbeaten son Ronald Hearns, 6-0 with four knockouts.
“I’m totally confident in Dad’s ability, but as a son, you still have worries. But I have faith in him,” the younger Hearns said.
Hearns said he would like three or four fights to regain prime fighting shape before challenging for a light heavyweight world title.
Poland’s unbeaten Tomasz Adamek, 29-0 with 20 knockouts, owns the World Boxing Council crown at that weight while France’s Fabrice Tiozzo, 47-2 with 31 knockouts, owns the World Boxing Association light heavyweight title.
