Thomas Hearns vs Fred Hutchings

Detroit two-weight world champion Thomas Hearns retained the WBC super-welterweight championship with a third-round stoppage of Fred Hutchings at the Civic Center in Saginaw, Michigan, on September 15, 1984. Both Hearns and Hutchings were officially recorded at 154 pounds. The champion entered with 39 victories against his single defeat by Sugar Ray Leonard, while Hutchings, of Stockton, California, brought a record of 27 wins and one loss. Arthur Mercante refereed, with Tony Perez, Eva Shain and Dick Cole serving as judges. The bout was televised live by CBS, and Hearns was reported to have earned approximately $400,000. It was his third defence of the championship he had taken from Wilfred Benitez in December 1982.

Hearns was at the height of his authority as a super-welterweight. Seven months earlier he had outpointed the durable Italian Luigi Minchillo, and in June he had overwhelmed Roberto Duran in two rounds, becoming the first man to stop the Panamanian. The destruction of Duran had demonstrated not merely the force of Hearns’ right hand but the efficiency with which he could bring it into play behind his long left jab. Hutchings was ranked third by the WBC and had earned his opportunity through a lengthy run of victories. Still, he faced a far more seasoned opponent enjoying substantial advantages in height, reach, speed and punching power.

Hearns took command immediately. Standing tall and balanced, he used the jab to measure Hutchings and gave the challenger little opportunity to establish himself. Hutchings attempted to move inside, but he had to cross too much open ground and was struck before he could reach a useful punching position. Hearns dropped him twice during the opening round. The first knockdown left Hutchings badly shaken, and the second confirmed the extent of the champion’s superiority. Hutchings rose on both occasions and continued, showing courage under heavy fire, but his legs were unsteady, and his defence had already begun to break apart. Perez and Shain scored the round 10-7 for Hearns, while Cole returned a 10-8 score.

The second round was conducted at a slightly more deliberate pace, but Hutchings remained under constant pressure. Hearns did not rush recklessly after the quick finish. He controlled the range with the jab, moved Hutchings into position and drove straight punches through the challenger’s guard. Hutchings tried to answer when Hearns came within reach, yet his blows lacked the speed to interrupt the champion’s rhythm. He was not knocked down during the round, but Perez and Shain considered Hearns’ superiority sufficient to score it 10-8. Cole had it 10-9. After six minutes, Hearns led 20-15 on two cards and 20-17 on the third.

Hutchings came out for the third still attempting to compete, but the contest had become a matter of how long he could withstand Hearns’ accurate punching. The champion continued to spear him with the left and then committed himself to the right whenever the opening appeared. Hutchings was driven backwards and increasingly reduced to covering up. Late in the round, Hearns trapped him and released a sustained barrage to the head. Hutchings reeled under the blows and was no longer returning punches effectively. Mercante stepped between them with four seconds remaining, stopping the contest at 2 minutes 56 seconds. Hutchings remained on his feet, but he was helpless, and the intervention was necessary.

There had been no uncertainty in the result. Hutchings showed determination by rising twice in the opening round and surviving until the closing seconds of the third, but he possessed no effective answer to Hearns’ reach, timing or power. Hearns had controlled every phase of the contest, scoring with the jab at long range and finishing his combinations once Hutchings had been forced into retreat. The performance was less dramatic than his knockout of Duran only three months earlier, chiefly because Hutchings lacked Duran’s reputation, but it was scarcely less complete. Hearns had made a third successful defence and advanced his record to 40-1, confirming his position as the outstanding super-welterweight of the period. His next major undertaking would come seven months later against middleweight champion Marvin Hagler, a contest in which the same attacking instincts would be tested under altogether different circumstances.

I don’t know why I remember this fight so clearly. Fred Hutchings wasn’t as well known as Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard or Wilfred Benitez, from whom Hearns had taken the title, but we knew he was a decent fighter. We also suspected he was a little out of his depth. I still didn’t expect a three-round blowout.

Hearns was frighteningly good around that time. He had just flattened Duran in two rounds and carried himself like a man who knew nobody at the weight could live with him. Hutchings tried to get inside, but Hearns’ jab controlled the distance, and that long right hand was waiting whenever he crossed the line.

The two first-round knockdowns effectively settled matters. Hutchings showed courage by getting up and surviving, but from then on he was fighting on instinct rather than following any workable plan. Hearns remained patient, measured him and took him apart without wasting punches.

The stoppage near the end of the third was correct. Hutchings was upright but helpless under the final barrage. It wasn’t poor matchmaking; Hutchings had earned his ranking, but Hearns was operating at a completely different level.