Leonard recalled ignoring claims that Hearns was finished before their 1989 rematch and later realized the fight should have been his last
Sugar Ray Leonard says his 1989 rematch with Thomas Hearns convinced him his boxing career should have ended. Leonard recalled warning those around him not to underestimate Hearns, who went on to hurt him repeatedly during one of the most debated fights of the era.
Leonard and Hearns met for a second time at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas eight years after their first classic encounter. While the bout ended in a split draw, many fans and observers felt Hearns had done enough to earn the decision.
Looking back on the fight, Leonard recalled warnings from his camp that Hearns was no longer the same fighter.
“Everybody said Tommy was shot, even my camp said ‘one punch he’s gone.’
“I said to myself, ‘when Tommy fights me, he’s going to rise to the occasion.’ Tommy did that. He hurt me so many times, I knew then I should have retired after the Hearns fight, even after the Hagler fight,” said Sugar Ray Leonard to Sky Sports Boxing.
Hearns entered the rematch after losses to Iran Barkley and a draw with James Kinchen, leading some to question whether he remained the fighter who had pushed Leonard to the limit in their first meeting.
Sugar Ray, however, said he never bought into that view. The former five-division world champion believed Hearns would elevate his performance on fight night, and the Detroit star delivered one of the strongest performances of his career despite failing to secure the victory on the scorecards.
The draw remains one of the most debated results of the era. Leonard fought once more in 1989, defeating Roberto Duran in their trilogy bout, before suffering a loss to Terry Norris in 1991.
Although Leonard returned years later for a final fight against Hector Camacho, he now says the rematch with Hearns was the point when he realized his career should have come to an end.
