The Night Wilfred Benitez Confronted Thomas Hearns

Welcome back to Boxing After Dark! Tonight, Thomas Hearns makes his highly anticipated return after his first loss to Sugar Ray Leonard. After a few tune-up fights, Hearns is now confident and ready to challenge Wilfred Benitez for the WBC World Super Welterweight title.

[@dalegreening6476]

This era of boxing was incredible.

[@billsiems6514]

And a lot of those championship fights were on network television. Except Leonard-Hearns on HBO. The "happening" weight divisions were welterweight, super-welterweight and middleweight. Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini brought some interest to the lightweight division, as Holmes, Weaver, Shavers did to the heavies, until Tyson came along. I was a big boxing fan until about the early '90s. Now, with current pro boxers, even on commercial TV, ratings are squat!

[@leocastro1775]

Missed the days when the boxing means boxing

[@georgetate2320]

Tommy already got cte

[@greencm7142]

Yep. When nobody ducked each other.

[@Reverend-Race-Horsey]

​@@billsiems6514 Great points! 📺 🥊 👍🏿

[@teofemo7000]

Hearns was a class act. After knocking out James Shuler in the first round for Shuler's USBA belt. James Shuler died a couple of weeks later in a motorcycle. Tommy went to his funeral and lay the belt back to him. That title meant alot to James Shuler and ill alway love Hearns for that.

[@martinaubut5027]

Thanks for the nice story.

[@HarryHeath-e6z]

Yeah that was real respect he paid to Shuler

[@HarryHeath-e6z]

He let Wifredo know there were some serious repercussions

[@genesisgenesis9888]

Shuler coudn't deal with the loss to Hearns so he committed suicide....

[@thomaschandler4769]

​@@genesisgenesis9888ARE YOU SAYING HE PURPOSELY RAMMED HIS MOTORCYCLE?

[@LesterMoore]

Much respect for both these great Champions. Neither ever ducked anyone.

[@SonnyEasy]

Ray Leonard did, and before you "Sugar" lovers talk smash, listen up. Ray ducked a rematch with The Hitman, who was winning every round till he ran outta gas (Which was his M.O.), but not before The Hitman gave that tail a detached retina, then Ray "The Ducker" "retired" LMAO!🤡🤣 to avoid 🫣 The Marvelous One, but waited 6 years to fight him in 1987, where Vegas ROBBED Hagler, then a disgusted Hagler retired for good. Yall yap about Floyd running? Watch how that overrated Ray ran around rings, then call me smh. Benitez should've been king too. The 5th king. He was as slick as they came. Very underrated. FOH

[@mongoslade277]

​@SonnyEasy Very well said. Benitez was an all time great. Him & Hagler would've been an interesting fight in 1982-83. You're spot on about that detached retina by Ray Leonard. He was diagnosed with that detached retina in 1982 and retired. Hit Man Hearns detached that retina in September 1981

[@eurostarnamastar3128]

I met Tommy Hearns and Emanuel Steward in Miami Beach back when Tommy was preparing for his fight with Marvin Hagler. His daily training were more like boxing shows in the hotel lobby with an audience viewing!! WOW! I could not believe how humble, sweet and kind both Tommy and Emanuel were ....... real disciplined gentlemen!!

[@HilmarSchacht-zm8kg]

I think you may have jinxed Hearns considering Hagler beat the shit out of bug eyes Tommy Hearns ...Loved seeing him hammered ..arrogant dude ..all he had was his height ...

[@jjstratford]

Tommy’s hand speed was BLAZING in his prime!

[@jackjohnsen8506]

add that to his Long reach, and quick reflexes and you have the best of his time

[@James-ys3lv]

Just shows how amazing that era was that I had actually forgotten about this fight. Two of the greatest fighters of all time. Would reign supreme today!

[@savagegamez1674]

As a 19-year-old boxing fan, I'm beginning to realize my generation of boxers wouldn't survive two rounds with these guys from the old days

[@Popi_of_local_iron]

Go back in time and watch all the ALI fights you can find he could really take a hit ken Norton broke ALIs jaw in a early round and never stopped finishing the fight

[@Rstar63]

Truth, those guys were monsters and had heart and determination. The last generation of 15 round fights was awesome to watch, I still find some killer classics here on KZbin. Enjoy watching

[@Rstar63]

​@@Popi_of_local_ironI remember watching that fight with my dad

[@robertyoung6278]

Mayweather couldn't beat any of these dudes period

[@bernardoguerrero9368]

Everyone was a killer back then

[@charleshammer2928]

Benitez did not like to train for fights at all. He did it all with pure natural talent. If he had worked harder in the gym, he would have become one of the greatest pound for pound fighters ever.

[@sherrillraymond7595]

Real talk

[@anthonyrobinson-ew7hi]

@@charleshammer2928 that's right

[@jeffholman8146]

That was an incredible era for boxing. Sad where it is today.

[@seamus7054]

Tommy Hearns has always been my favourite boxer. Gave 100% in every fight, win or lose. He is also a class act.

[@alhelireese2371]

💯% agree with u

[@JonnyDredd]

Yes I agree too, most elegant boxer

[@Fireslanga1]

Mines also

[@Peach-e5d]

Boxing isnt the same. Loved how they hugged at the end. It was genuine ❤

[@robertmceuen3630]

Two of my favorite boxers. Humble and respectful always. Boxing back then was great.

[@Mochic45]

It's sad about Wilfred Benitez. My heart goes out to him...

[@DexterSmith-u9m]

I meet benitez at a bar it was sad ,he was drunk speaking Spanish, cussing at negro

[@CaseyCook-xs2ob]

​@@DexterSmith-u9mstupid benitez is black too & no you didn't

[@tubucoco]

​@@DexterSmith-u9m I'm so sorry to hear that, I liked Benitez and respected him. One of my favorite fighters from the '80's era along with Sugar Ray, Tommy Hearns, and Roberto Duran. Also, the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler. May they rest in peace! 🙏

[@Skip-qr2oc]

@@tubucoco They????? Hagler is the only one that has passed

[@user-jp2lk6lp6s]

@@DexterSmith-u9myou was probably the one drunk and cussing at black folks.

[@Powerneck]

Golden Period of Boxing 🥊

[@wildtill9]

So sad how Wilfred Benitez now has the mind of a child

[@markneff2670]

When Hearns gets hit it sometimes looks worse than it is because he has those crazy legs.

[@billsiems6514]

Well, those crazy legs REALLY made him look worse vs Hagler and Leonard after getting hit! Whoa!!

[@jericodiaz]

Tommy Hearns was just a wild beast on the ring , respect for Wilfred Benitez too Excellent video 👏👏

[@manlymanhunger7451]

conditioning was key back in these days. they went 15 rounds vs todays 12 rounds. i am all for the 12 because it lengthens the life span and career of the boxer.

[@anthonyrobinson-ew7hi]

Yes indeed there's more to life than boxing😮

[@user-ym2ns7yl8d]

@@manlymanhunger7451 back in they days they didn't need a ring full on action could have had the fights in a phone booth

[@davidjudd951]

Correct. I actually watched the fight that created the rule change. A fifteen round fight between Ray Boom Boom Mancini, and Doo Koo Kim, where Kim died at the end of the fight. One of the most brutal fights ever. Both fighters took enormous punishment in that slugfest. Ray Mancini was so distraught over Kim's death, he was never really the same fighter after that.

[@anthonyrobinson-ew7hi]

@manlymanhunger7451 yes but 13 through 15 was where the worldchampionship was decided

[@manlymanhunger7451]

@@anthonyrobinson-ew7hi no it was not.

[@Thechosenfool]

Best era of boxing ever, Tommy is my favourite boxer of all time, superb fighters with real heart and guts.

[@alhelireese2371]

L LOL MMMFAO MINES TOO THE BOY CANE TO FIGHT EVERY NITE ALL HEART AND SKILL

[@Skip-qr2oc]

@@alhelireese2371 It's the Detroit in him. Motor city cobra 🐍🥊🥊

[@Skip-qr2oc]

@@alhelireese2371 It's the Detroit in him. Motor city cobra 🐍🥊🥊

[@Skip-qr2oc]

@@Thechosenfool it's was the Detroit in him. The Motor city cobra 🐍🥊

[@Skip-qr2oc]

What made Benitez so great was he never trained more than two weeks before a fight and it was road work! As Sugar Ray stated he was a naturally gifted fighter

[@davidjudd951]

Very true.

[@paulanthony5274]

Bullshit

[@joeblow2069]

If that is true he was an idiot.

[@joeblow2069]

@@paulanthony5274 Agree.

[@andiargana8487]

@@paulanthony5274it was well documented that benitez probably one of the most lazy fighter ever i mean emile griffith his trainer quit training benitez because how lazy he was like he didnt like training just watch his documentary here on youtube you'll see how lazy benitez's

[@jah6432]

That fact that they all took turns fighting each other made this era the best.

[@TboneTenEighties]

What a damn fight. Tremendously high level. A Tommy Hearns wouldn't be fair in boxing today lol.

[@adon31997]

The golden era of boxing! #80s🥊

[@wilfredocaban3542]

These were the Golden year's of Boxing it will never be the same im glad i lived thur it and saw it live.WILFREDO BENTIEZ YOU DID US PROUD, 🇵🇷.

[@Jose-ix5bt]

This was the last time people saw the great version of Wilfred Benitez just didn't have it anymore after this fight

[@oscar1748]

I'm from PR ....the streets, drugs...

[@BillMorganChannel]

I love the respect they showed each other.

[@shimwooley]

Benitez was underrated !! Such a good boxer ! Gotta love Tommy also !

[@rocknral]

Tommy is an absolute legend. My favourite boxer. Multi division champ!

[@domenickparris7650]

Two All Time Greats! Best wishes to both.

[@guygranger7894]

God be with you Wilfred..I saw the same points the judges did with Tommy Herns. But you were just as tough and talented. It was one of those fights where anything can happen.

[@billsiems6514]

If that fight goes 2 more rounds, Benitez catches and KO's Hearns.

[@mongoslade277]

​@@billsiems6514 Agreed

[@TheNeorch]

Benitez could be the best if he's serious enough,look at his performance against Duran,even as a Duràn fan i'm amazed.

[@copferthat]

Hearns frightens me, even here on the other side of the screen

[@7wolfman78]

Thanks to everyone that put these shows together.Top notch 🙏

[@buckchile614]

I never liked Benitez, but he deserves credit for beating Duran and having a competitive fight w/ both Hearns & SR. If there was a 5th King, he'd be it

[@dimedraweriv258]

And also Alexis Arguello

[@robertmceuen3630]

Why? What's not to like? Not a shit talker. Respectful. Always fought hard with no excuses. Now Leonard, there's one that's easy to dislike...

[@twonganttable]

I liked Benitez because even though he was a very skilled fighter he was always the underdog against the kings. I wanted him to humble Hearns and Sugar Ray so bad. And I was and still is a fan of Hearns and Sugar Ray. And now he’s suffering from a brain disease SMH

[@RepentingMan]

@@dimedraweriv258 Arguello different weight class to the four kings...

[@CaseyCook-xs2ob]

​@@robertmceuen3630why's that

[@callmegp]

Goes to show why balance is so important, if your opponent “punches” (pushes) you the wrong way, it can be considered a knockdown. Would’ve loved to see Hearns refine his technique

[@C.STRIKER-yo7zg]

Agreed. If Hearns had solidified his balance issues I firmly believe that he would have been even more lethal than he turned out. Balance is a crucial factor in combat sports. That’s what made Ray Leonard so good. He and Salvador Sanchez had the best legs in the business during that era.

[@C.STRIKER-yo7zg]

Agreed. If Hearns had solidified his balance issues I firmly believe that he would have been even more lethal than he turned out. Balance is a crucial factor in combat sports. That’s what made Ray Leonard so good. He and Salvador Sanchez had the best legs in the business during that era.

[@tubucoco]

Hearns' eyes at the beginning of this video. 😆 Dude looked possessed or something!😂

[@alhelireese2371]

MAN TOMMY WAZ A NUT

[@larryrhoades7136]

Crazy how weak boxing has got over the years

[@dabatman]

Fans made boxing weak.

[@J-Hue]

Boxers aren't trying to be walking around with permanent brain damage and hardly capable of putting complete sentences together just for the fans' enjoyment.

[@robweber7325]

Right.

[@mikeys7536]

We used to have Hearns, Hagler, Duran, Leonard. Now we have Ryan Garcia and Jake Paul 😅

[@jeffmejia3556]

Too many sanctioning bodies, too many promoters. And it’s the fighters’ fault too. They’re allowed to cherry pick their opponents. Back then you didn’t fight Thomas Hearns unless you HAD to. If Hearns or Benitez were around today they wouldn’t fight. Nobody would fight them. They would be ducked. You think Crawford would pick Hearns as an opponent at 47 or 54? Mayweather pick Hearns? Canelo fight Hearns ‘at 47, 54 or 60 or higher? You know damn well all three would avoid Hearns like the plague. They would say they would fight him but the fight would never materialize.

[@realitywithmj4334]

these were great days growing up. 53 now and of course i watch ufc but for whatever reason it is simply not as cool as the boxing of old. these dudes, tyson, etc. good times

[@BoxingAfterDark]

@nah12412 Could you repost this as a new comment instead of a reply? I'd be happy to pin it-it’s a great question!

[@nah12412]

@@BoxingAfterDark yesir sure can

[@Jahnink]

Tommy Hearnes and Marvelous Marvin Haglar were my favorites. But there was so much great competition back then. This was when boxing really meant something. Manny the Pacman has that same quality. ❤

[@bobbywise2313]

Great effort by Benitez even though he came up short. The fact that he was able to be competitive boxing against Hearns says a lot because Hearns could outbox anyone. The big punchers were who he struggled with. If you add up all the rounds in his 2 fights with Leonard, I would say he won more than 2/3 of them. In the first fight Leonards heart and determination got him the win but he was behind on all 3 cards. And Tommy really won the second fight that was scored a draw.

[@johnmclelland4278]

Hearns was a great fighter in a time of great fighters.

[@jfk19780]

This is back in the day when boxers really trained and worked extremely hard to grasp the golden belt !!!!

[@raincntry2657]

I loved watching the Hit Man fight. He was a great fighter and a showman in the ring.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Hearns taught me never to judge a book by its cover. Never have I witnessed a man so boney yet hit so hard I thought that sound effects were being added to his fights😮

[@DanielPerez-hy4ts]

This era was the greatest in boxing history

[@AlecLaule-dl5dj]

A great fight. Benitiz had to take one to land one against the bigger Tommy, he had no other option. Sad to see his current state. He certainly leaves behind an incredible legacy of skill and toughness.

[@paloomo581]

I was at ringside and can tell you that there was an audible gaspe from the crowd when a cornered Benitez slipped and ducked a flurry of Hearns blows. Wilfred was cool and precise but he lacked the reach and threw too few punches.

[@grahamhawthorn2320]

Today’s boxer could not and would not be able to do this. Respect to both men for their True Grit.

[@jaye501]

benitez was legendary in that he would not train... he trained for a little over a week for leonard... he felt that he did not need to... i remember the accounts of his father not being able to find him to train for leonard... but i don't know how much he trained for this one... but i'd be surprised if it were very long...

[@motobenbh4722]

Hearns was always one of favourites. He just seemed ... honest.

[@steveparish4209]

Thomas Hearns and Julian Jackson were two ships who unfortunately passed one another in the night. What a battle that would have been at 154.

[@Fugazinome]

Jackson could punch like no other,but Hearn could punch too and was a much better technical fighter.

[@RepentingMan]

Benitez is very, very ill now, poor fellow.

[@SamuelJohnYoungIII]

Isn’t Wilfred Benetiz dead now!!! I know he was homeless and severely Punch Drunk!!!

[@RepentingMan]

@@SamuelJohnYoungIII No, he's not dead. He is 65 years old. He has encephalitis, said to be from taking too many blows to the head. Certain groups have set up funds to give him financial help.

[@gringobronx7670]

​@@SamuelJohnYoungIIIhe's not homeless

[@michaelcard9382]

Hearns would put the hurt on 98% of these dudes today

[@franzherflek4116]

Hearns's right hand os dynamite..!!!! Even w straight right os lethal! A hook could be fatal!!

[@markbruno2474]

Boxing will never return to the golden years of the 80s and 90s.

[@stevieboykeane]

More like a circus nowadays, unfortunately.

[@user-re9ui1ji1b]

Yeah, a couple of weeks ago, I watched the "girl-fighting" in the Paris Olympics in ALL weight classes of what they CALLED boxing. No Jabs, No defense, No attack strategy, NO footwork, No SKILL. Floyd Mayweather MAY have been the LAST of the classic boxers.

[@richardlane835]

No it's now just a shadow of what it was. MMA has taken over

[@pmccachren]

This division back then was the most incredible ever because of the boxers that were in it.

[@demitriuswilliams4729]

Hitman hit people like he was 215 Pounds 🤕

[@EvangelismforGod]

So much power!

[@angellahoz3008]

So did Benitez against a bigger man, this was when you fought 15 rounds, brutal,he still holds the record for the youngest champion ever, this was when boxing was worth it, two of the greatest ever

[@terribletomvu37]

The story is that Benitez rarely trains in camp. He was partying when he should have been getting ready for a fight.

[@sherrillraymond7595]

Nobody and mean nobody who seen Benitez fighting back then would've ever thought he would end up the way he is now, I rewinded this bout five times just to watch Benitez slip all those punches

[@armandosacasa8022]

Qué pelea. Dios sabe por qué Benitez tiene tanto sufrimiento en su vida. Dios con su Misericordia lo consuele. Ese si era un boxeadorazo. Peleó con lo más granado. Y es admirable la actitud de un Hearns al abrazar con tanta euforia y caballerosidad a su contrincante. Qué maravillosos tiempos ronde sobraba el talento. Esas dos perlas del boxeo estadounidense a los que enfrentó son toda una leyenda. Al mano de piedras Duran y a otros, como Kid Pambele... quedan en la memoria.

[@brianv1372]

What a fantastic video… Both of them are amazing champions!

[@fluidjazz]

My friend was one of the 1st British boxers to be accepted into the Bronx gym, he told me many stories of Hearns, spending time in his basement during downtime playing video games with him and other young fighters. He was a monster and smashed his sparring partners.

[@andrepaige9669]

Tommy Hearns boxed at the "Kronk" gym in Detroit, I don't know what the Bronx gym is.

[@teedtad2534]

Benitez is actually a very good fighter! To go the distance with Thomas Hearns is NO easy challenge!! I like Wilfred more than Macho Camacho!! 😮

[@ronaldartis86]

You ended it with a great conclusion commentary closing!❤

[@javiersuris7302]

Class act athletes and men.

[@robpizz]

Benitez just needed about 10% more power.

[@LeeHunt-mu9nb]

Hearns conditioning got so much better after that first fight with Leonard.

[@BoxingAfterDark]

I agree, it's rare to see fighters make such significant improvements on their stamina. Emanuel Steward deserves a lot of credit for that too

[@CYMotorsport]

How SRL boxed him had a lot to do this with this one could argue. His legs never really got better . It’s just that sugar ray did a better job of illuminating that. And nearly a decade later when they met again it would be a false positive to say look at the improvement comparing to the first fight. SRL wasn’t nearly what he was though still formidable and Tommy was notably 3 years his junior, that matters when we’re talking a boxer in their mid30s and one who this was their first fight since turning 30. Not to mention steward himself said Hearns’ legs were simply always a liability.

[@billsiems6514]

Unfortunately, with Hearns, as with Holmes, Holyfield and before them, Ali and Frazier - they all have/had mumbled speech as they have aged, undoubtedly from all the hits to the head and the constant rocking of the brain inside the cranium. Except for George Foreman, who still seems as sharp mentally as he ever was. Boxing can be lucrative, but a boxer can eventually pay the price.

[@EvangelismforGod]

@@billsiems6514True!

[@mongoslade277]

​@@billsiems6514 Remember Big George had a 10 year retirement then came back. Ray Leonard went a period of only 1 fight in 5 years. All that time off helped them both

[@TravelingTal]

The motor city Cobra, best right hand in boxing history.

[@7neophyte]

No doubt

[@TimothyTaylor-q7v]

I worked at the same prison where Hearns brother was locked up in. Pretty quiet kid. Kept to himself. Tommy came to visit a few times as well.

[@DanielMiranda-vw3of]

My respect for wilfred and Tommy.❤

[@OldHickoryAndyJackson]

This was when Tommy was at his best, when he moved up to middle weight and above he became a knockout artist, hence the Hitman

[@geewizzzkid]

Tommy was always called the hit man. He was a welterweight for years my favorite and he was always nicknamed hitman.

[@OldHickoryAndyJackson]

No, his first nickname was the motor city cobra

[@eddieq2189]

Both men are great determined fighters with impressive boxing skills and knowledge that made them both who they are in boxing and to the fans ❤🙂👍

[@jeffcastetter6122]

Benitez was a defensive genius!

[@Buscandolasantidad6318]

Parece que no tanto está totalmente destruido como un vegetal debido a los golpes que recibió

[@pierregreen2645]

😮wow!!! Your serving was so Awesome and fluid. Great job.

[@dimedraweriv258]

One judge had it 146-137 Hearns. It was way closer than that.

[@msr187]

Wayyy closer

[@joeblow2069]

"Confronted?" It was a boxing match for a world championship. A significant fight for that time. Interesting that in the lead up to Hearns vs Hagler not much was said about Tommy's right hand injuries. Tommy had hurt that right hand several times in fights including this one . No way Tommy could beat Hagler with a compromised right hand and when he broke it in rd one the fight was basically over.

[@Marc-zp6uq]

Can't believe I somehow missed this one. This was a great fight.

[@modestoquinto1911]

Exciting fighters of yesteryears. Unlike many today, just appearing in the ring for a paycheck..😅

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

This was boxing at its best !!!

[@robertelliotrivera2899]

Thank you. For that great speech, those beautiful words.Actually they describes benites accurately

[@marcocarosi7736]

The best satisfaction of my life as a fan!

[@mars353]

Two world class counterpunchers

[@jeremyj427]

I met Tommy in Vegas. Standing next to him, seeing the size of his hands, his shoulders etc. - I have no idea how he ever fought at 147. Dude had a hollow leg. What a legend.

[@ifixeverything5445]

Campeón de campeones y como ser humano un buen hijo y el mejor de los amigos

[@jjstratford]

6:52 Tommy threw that elbow perfectly (and INTENTIONALLY) 😂😂😂

[@franknelson4544]

Benitez was definitely a slick boxer❤❤❤

[@Buscandolasantidad6318]

Parece que no tanto, está totalmente destruido como un vegetal debido a los golpes que recibió

[@waynelucier1678]

Everyone of those guys were incredible fighters youd have a hard time finding a group of fighters that talented

[@hbomb3780]

Golden age of boxing

[@Michael-hq1iq]

anyone who could last 15 rounds with hearns was a bad man

[@davidjudd951]

Hearns won the fight so decisively. Really sad how one judge had it even. I remember watching it live many years ago.

[@riposter69]

Anybody who can last 15 rounds of prime Tommy Hearns full artillery is special and Benitez was just that. Old school boxing with less money, real fighters and punishing 15 rounds is better than todays soft generation

[@wahnano]

The golden age of boxing

[@eurostarnamastar3128]

Hearns looks fantastic in this fight... ighttning quick, with both hands !!!!!

[@cronos20201]

Herarns era una "bestia" con sus manos, Benites muy valiente, pelió con clase!

[@markmortimer8597]

Tommy was my favorite fighter of all time . Then Gatti

[@rodwilliam3890]

Tommy was amazing. Both of them. All these fighters from that era never ducked each other. Not like today pathetic

[@juancaraballo2612]

Pará mi opinión yo ví a Benítez pelea y para mi es uno de los mejores boxeadores k a dado la isla de PR para mi por encima de Trinidad Cotto y Wilfredo Gómez.

[@bigbrotherinlife1654]

The 5th 🤴🏿 El Radar The Bible Of Boxing Wilfredo Benitez

[@mongoslade277]

I don't know which nickname is better!!! They both fit. A great talented fighter

[@adventurer3479]

Golden era of boxing