Virgil Hill vs. Thomas Hearns
Hearns won his sixth world title by unanimous decision.
Virgil Hill faced Thomas Hearns on June 3, 1991, for the WBA light heavyweight title. The bout marked Hearns' attempt to win a world title in a sixth weight class.
Quick Facts
- Fight date
- June 3, 1991
- Location
- Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
- Titles
- WBA Light Heavyweight title
- Result
- Hearns wins via unanimous decision (116–112, 115–113, 115–113)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Undefeated WBA light heavyweight champion Virgil Hill agreed to terms to face five-division champion Thomas Hearns at the end of 1990. The fight, promoted by the Jerry Buss-led Great Western Forum, was originally set for May 17, 1991, but faced issues due to Hill's questionable marketability; he had not headlined a pay-per-view. The bout was delayed until June 3 to seek a larger pay-per-view audience. Hearns had planned to fight rival Sugar Ray Leonard next, calling a third fight "imminent" and saying it "must happen," but a dispute over the catchweight led him to take the Hill fight instead. This was Hearns' first fight without longtime trainer and manager Emanuel Steward, as the two had parted ways the previous year after Steward claimed they disagreed about whether Hearns should retire.
The fight
Hearns entered as a 2½ to 1 underdog but won a unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112 and two of 115–113, earning his sixth world title. Hill fought with a hyperextended right elbow suffered during training, which prevented him from using his right hand effectively, while Hearns dominated with his left jab. The fight was even at the midpoint before Hearns pulled away by taking four of the last six rounds on all three scorecards.
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