Ageing boxers promote fight as ‘war’

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 44

Ageing boxers promote fight as ‘war’

NZPA-AFP Washington Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns yesterday declared “war” on each other to promote their W.B.C. world super middleweight boxing title fight in Las Vegas on June 12. “To me, this is a war,” said Hearns, staring point-blank at Leonard while holding a military helmet. “It’s a war.” The bout will take place at Caeser’s Palace, where, in September 1981, Leonard stopped Hearns in the fourteenth round of what has been described as one of the great fights of all time.

Since then, Leonard has retired twice jmtH returned to the; ring for four bouts, winning . his fifth world title by beating Canadian -■ Donny Lalonde; last November. % The former Olympian, now 32, with a record of 3,5-V with 25 knock-outs, said he was in top shape, and was looking forward to a tough bout against Hearns. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m still in my prime,” he said. “And I know Tommy Hearns is a man obsessed with beating me; so I know he’s going to be in great shape.” Hearns, aged 30, who, like Leonard has

won world titles in five different weight , classes, said he' felt ,he had improved with age, and predicted the rematch would be than the first only that he would “come out victorious this time.” '• “I feelwe’ve both aged through our careers,” he said. “We are not the same fighters we used to be. I have improved. But I look fat him and I see him slipping.” Hearns takes a record of 46-3 into the bout He won the World Boxing Organisation’s super middleweight crown : last November in a decision over James Kinchen. /< •>’ :