- 2 months ago
The HBO replay of the fight from the week before of Thomas Hearns challenge of Wilfred Benitez for the WBC Super Welterweight Title. With an exclusive interview with Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard after the fight.
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00:00:00New Orleans, Louisiana. On the southern tip of the Mississippi River with all the charm of the Old South, which culminates in the February celebration of Mardi Gras.
00:00:12But most of all, New Orleans is known as the home of Dixieland jazz. For over 50 years, this popular form of music has warmed the hearts of people the world over.
00:00:22But the Louisiana Superdome in the heart of downtown has also been recognized as the site of some of the most celebrated sports spectacles in history.
00:00:32And on December 3rd, champion Wilfred Benitez defended his crown for the third time.
00:00:38The contender was Thomas Hearns, who finally had his chance for redemption and a second title.
00:00:44HBO Sports presents World Championship Boxing.
00:00:49WBC super runaway champion, Wilfred Benitez, defends his crown against the number one challenger, Thomas Hearns.
00:00:56Barry Tompkins with Sugar Ray Leonard. We are at the Superdome. Ray, you have beaten both these fighters. Let me give you the hypothetical.
00:01:01You're Wilfred Benitez. How do you fight Tommy Hearns?
00:01:04Well, to fight Tommy Hearns, to beat a Tommy Hearns, basically be a thinking man the whole time.
00:01:09Work inside, make him frustrate him. Get inside, work his body.
00:01:13All right, you're Tommy Hearns. How do you fight Wilfred Benitez?
00:01:16Well, the left jab will be the most important weapon Tommy Hearns must use.
00:01:21I mean, he has to be very consistent. Keep Benitez thinking.
00:01:24Don't fall into any trap against the ropes or what have you.
00:01:27But the left jab is very important for Tommy Hearns.
00:01:29All right, Ray Leonard has said we'll wait till the first round to make a prediction.
00:01:32We'll talk about that in the first round. And in the red corner, we have another champion.
00:01:36The heavyweight champion of the world, Larry Holmes. He is with our own Larry Merchant. Larry.
00:01:41Thank you, Barry. Larry, we've seen two champions once again come together and fight a war.
00:01:48Neither one would give up until one just fell from exhaustion.
00:01:51Can this possibly happen with Benitez and Hearns despite their styles?
00:01:56Yes, I do. It can happen, Larry. Tommy Hearns got a past history of tiring later in the rounds.
00:02:04And you know, Benitez don't tire even though he don't fight. He's an educated boxer. He's a good boxer.
00:02:09I'm expecting a great fight. And as I said, I picked Hearns in nine.
00:02:14Okay, back to Barry Ray.
00:02:17Okay, thank you, Larry. And here is the challenger, Thomas Hearns, making his way toward the ring.
00:02:22But before we look ahead, let's look back.
00:02:29The WBC's number one super well-awake contender, Thomas Hearns.
00:02:34The Motor City Cobra's first taste of national exposure came when he faced Bruce Curry on June 28th of 1979 in his hometown of Detroit.
00:02:43He floored Curry with vicious combinations in the third round.
00:02:46And suddenly, there was a new well-awake contender.
00:02:52Then on May 3rd of 1980, Hearns knocked out Eddie Gazzo in just one round to set up his shot at the WBA well-awake title.
00:02:59Three months later, the champion Pepino Cuevas never knew what hit him.
00:03:05Hearns was a 21-year-old hometown hero who attacked the welterweight champion from the opening bell.
00:03:13Cuevas was backed up so much, he had rope burns.
00:03:16And he just could not escape from a 5 1⁄2-inch height and reach advantage.
00:03:23Finally, two devastating right hands floored Pepino Cuevas for the first time in his career.
00:03:29September 16th, 1981, Thomas Hearns fights Sugar Ray Leonard for the undisputed welterweight title.
00:03:36In the first five rounds, Hearns took the early lead.
00:03:39Right downstairs. Right downstairs.
00:03:41Don't forget, downstairs.
00:03:43By the 7th, Leonard had Hearns in desperate trouble.
00:03:46Well, you ain't crunching, man.
00:03:47That ain't gonna pick me up, kid.
00:03:48I'm gonna have to stop it if you don't crunch.
00:03:49In the 11th, Hearns took control.
00:03:51Ray's eye is nearly shut.
00:03:52You're blowing it now, son.
00:03:53You're blowing it.
00:03:54You gotta be quicker.
00:03:55You gotta take it away from it.
00:03:56Okay?
00:03:57But then, ahead on all three scorecards, Thomas Hearns suffered a technical knockout in the 14th round.
00:04:10And now, Thomas Hearns goes after the WBC's Super Welterweight title.
00:04:14It is the second of four he hopes to conquer.
00:04:16As he climbs the weight divisions in his quest to leave his mark on the record books.
00:04:20This is, in many ways, do or die for Thomas Hearns.
00:04:23His boxing future is on the line.
00:04:32Thomas Hearns trying to step up a weight class.
00:04:34That is not an easy thing to do.
00:04:36Still trying to forget the loss to the man on my left, Sugar Ray Leonard.
00:04:39But what a record.
00:04:4135 wins, just a single loss.
00:04:4332 coming by knockout.
00:04:45Thomas Hearns more than just a formidable challenger.
00:04:48But he's gonna get all he wants tonight.
00:04:50And the man who is going to give it to him is this man, Wilfred Benitez.
00:04:54Before the first punch in the opening bell, let's look back with Wilfred Benitez, the champion.
00:04:59Wilfred Benitez, the Super Welterweight champion, has won three titles in three weight divisions.
00:05:06Wilfred Benitez won his first round on March 6, 1976, at the age of 17.
00:05:12The junior Welterweight champion at the time was Antonio Cervantes.
00:05:15And on that day, Benitez became the youngest title holder in boxing history.
00:05:20Almost three years later, Benitez went after a second title with popular WBC Welterweight champion, Carlos Palomino.
00:05:27In 86-degree heat in Puerto Rico, Benitez piled up points and won a split decision.
00:05:32It was that victory that set up his first billion-dollar payday with Sugar Ray Leonard.
00:05:38Benitez suffered a nasty cut from a butt in the sixth round.
00:05:44He did rally to win some of the middle rounds, but he was behind by two points on all three cards.
00:05:49In the 15th, Leonard ended it all with a technical knockout.
00:05:57Wilfred Benitez had suffered his first loss as a pro.
00:06:00But like a true professional, Benitez came back to win a third title.
00:06:13On January 30th, 1982, he faced Roberto Duran in his second defense of the Super Welterweight crown.
00:06:21The hands of Stone now had feet of clay, and Benitez carved out a 15-round unanimous decision.
00:06:27In his nine-year pro career, he has become one of the most respected fighters in boxing history.
00:06:32And now he attempts to defend his Super Welterweight title for the third time.
00:06:39Wilfred Benitez has climbed to the top of his profession at a younger age than anyone before him.
00:06:45And now he must clear another hurdle in his race to become a legend in the fight game.
00:06:53Wilfred Benitez, the champion now in the ring.
00:06:55He is a guy who seems to be getting better as he moves up in weight.
00:06:59He, too, with just the one loss. That also yes to Sugar Ray Leonard.
00:07:03He has a draw with Harold Weston. Those are long since forgotten.
00:07:0626 knockouts. That is not so impressive, but he, remember, is a counterpuncher.
00:07:10And a tough one.
00:07:12And here's the game right here, Larry.
00:07:14Yeah, we're seeing a junior middleweight face-off here.
00:07:19It's an in-your-face face-off.
00:07:22Well, I don't know who's going to win this one. This one is a draw.
00:07:28The other crowd loves this.
00:07:32I would laugh. You see, that's why I'm not there.
00:07:40You can see it had ended before they ever got to the center of the ring here.
00:07:43We should mention here that Benitez's pass is to use early rounds to size up his opponent.
00:07:49Underweight round one. Super well-away championship. Tommy Hearns on the right.
00:07:59And the white trunks, Wilfred Benitez. Black trunks, white swipe on the left of your screen right now.
00:08:04Both men on their toes. The feeling-out process has begun.
00:08:07Tommy's going straight at Benitez. And again, the left jab of Tommy will be the most effective punch.
00:08:15Especially in the early rounds because it was very difficult for me to land some solid blows to Benitez.
00:08:20But we're talking about a totally different story here. Tommy is bigger than I am.
00:08:25His arm, his reach is incredible. So that may be a factor here.
00:08:31And he does hurt. I think you said that, made that point abundantly clear.
00:08:35He can't, he can't afford to tighten up. And Benitez, you know, he's able to flush with a fighter.
00:08:40Make mistakes and capitalize on him.
00:08:44A lot of bobbing and weaving and fading right now.
00:08:50Benitez slipping those punches. Very characteristic.
00:08:54Hearns misses the right hand. Benitez has what I consider a radar.
00:08:59I think what it's going to take for Tommy is a jab and some feints. He has a phantom.
00:09:04Well, in fact, he came in with the word super radar on his robe.
00:09:09Well, that was, I saw it there. Tommy wants you to bite with that right hand.
00:09:12That's good, too, because you can move the body.
00:09:15Tommy's left jab must be consistent. He has to keep it out there. Keep it busy.
00:09:22Keep Benitez thinking.
00:09:27I talked to Benitez yesterday. He was saying that no more fooling around.
00:09:30He trains hard for every fight. Trained hard for this fight. He knows it's business now.
00:09:34The major problem is fighting a guy like Tommy, as tall as Tommy is, is in fact getting inside.
00:09:41What I did, and Benitez is pretty much doing the same thing I did.
00:09:45I moved the first few rounds and got to a point where it's that I got Tommy in close and I was able to get in close.
00:09:50Where it's that I was able to deliver some punches.
00:09:53But it's difficult. I'll tell you about it. I was in there. It's tough getting inside with Tommy.
00:10:00Benitez is very patient. Really no damage here in the first round inside a minute.
00:10:04Either man has scored with a punch. Benitez has thrown very few.
00:10:25Talking about Benitez's ability to slip punches. I remember Floyd Patterson used to say that he watches the man's chest muscles to see where the punches are coming from.
00:10:34Allows him to almost anticipate before the punch comes.
00:10:37You see that right hand there going twice thrown by Tommy. Benitez is able to just get out of the way of it.
00:10:47Slip punches. Very, very smooth.
00:10:55What Tommy can't fall into. He can't fall into waiting too long.
00:10:59I want to make a couple of points about that round. Benitez did not land a single punch.
00:11:04I think that was a very good round for Tommy Hearns.
00:11:08Because he went to the body. You can't headhunt with Benitez. He's just too quick.
00:11:13Let's go to Benitez's corner.
00:11:15Watch out!
00:11:16I like a punch.
00:11:17This one is a punch.
00:11:18I like a punch.
00:11:19The punch.
00:11:20There's a punch.
00:11:21The punch.
00:11:22I like a punch.
00:11:23You've got the punch.
00:11:24The punch.
00:11:25The punch is too quick.
00:11:26I like a punch.
00:11:27You look at it hard.
00:11:28The punch is too good.
00:11:30You see.
00:11:31It's good.
00:11:32Pull it again.
00:11:33Come, come, come.
00:11:35Come, come, come.
00:11:36Take a punch.
00:11:37I like it.
00:11:38I like it.
00:11:39I like it.
00:11:40You move on right now.
00:11:41You pull fit together.
00:11:42basically don't change nothing that you're doing just keep working just the way all right we're
00:11:45now in tommy herring's corner and emmanuel stewart's last words were keep up the way you're going
00:11:52as i was about to say larry tom was doing the right thing he went to the body because the
00:11:56hand is very difficult to hit and the other point that larry merchant made that wilford benitez did
00:12:04not land a punch in that round and that is the only way you're going to win fights is to score
00:12:10with punches needless to say but first benitez has to find a way a method getting closer to time
00:12:17without being hit by tom rarely changes expression in a way
00:12:23fight has been fought at long range that was a left hand by benitez
00:12:40benitez content to stay in the corner you can see him just with that pattern of moving the head
00:12:46very quickly and he rarely gets hurt what benitez is really watching he's not watching left jab he's
00:12:53watching the right hand he's watching the power he can take a few left jab but he doesn't want to get
00:12:58hit by tommy's power hand right hand you know she let tommy perry out a couple times that was a good
00:13:06right hand by her he was just a big punch he was just a big punch he was just a big punch
00:13:11there's an overhand right
00:13:14and herds catches him again actually caught him twice but did not that time the other one went by his
00:13:24back
00:13:31benitez is catching his right hands now on the arm
00:13:33i feel what benitez is trying to do bros he's trying to really uh make tommy frustrated make tommy mad
00:13:50make time to load up with his punches you can't load up the left jab leads up to your punches or
00:13:56combination so you have to take your time you can't afford to get mad takes a lot of patience to
00:14:01fight a guy like tommy herds i would think it takes a great deal in fact benitez name was an overhand
00:14:08right wasn't really that hard but again because trying to find out the best method the most effective
00:14:14method to get tommy herds
00:14:16benitez should be pointed out has been knocked down on numerous occasions but again that was back
00:14:25in the days when he really didn't take this whole thing very seriously and felt he could just walk
00:14:30into the ring and whip anybody he got away with one with bruce curry after being knocked down three
00:14:35times harold weston knocked him down there's a good right hand by her but he can't double up on
00:14:40almost every one of those missed except the first one
00:14:47that was a good right hand we got benitez bouncing off the ropes and caught it but not a lot of those
00:14:56the story not a lot scored as i saw well there were three or four and that's a lot when you consider
00:15:03that benitez hardly landed anything worthwhile in that round again and we may see a fighter being
00:15:10intimidated
00:15:16we're going to take a look at that exchange again as hearns tries to measure benitez benitez
00:15:20normally likes to fight on the ropes and punch off the ropes but in this case he's just being kept
00:15:26too busy and if if half the punches are landing that's all that's necessary
00:15:43you're welcome
00:15:44you're welcome
00:15:45Gabriel stewart has very little to say to her because hearns is fighting practically a perfect
00:16:00fight right now third round super wide-aweigh championship wilfred benitez tommy hernes
00:16:08You know, Benitez is such a proud champion.
00:16:13He really gets upset.
00:16:14He's considered an insult when the opponent gets the best of him.
00:16:19He picks the pace up.
00:16:20If he gets caught, if he gets shot, he gets strong and more aggressive.
00:16:23So you might see a change in Benitez this round.
00:16:31Burns has done the only damage in the fight.
00:16:33And in that exchange that you saw in a replay,
00:16:35really only two punches plus one that was a little bit low landed.
00:16:40One was a good one.
00:16:44One thing that is unusual about a guy like Tommy Hearn's size,
00:16:48the fact that this man can throw so many punches.
00:16:52You know, it's unbelievable.
00:16:53Normally a guy that tall, his hand speed, you know,
00:16:55is always not that quick.
00:16:58And Tommy can throw so many punches, punches so fast.
00:17:02Tommy is doing a lot of the painting that you expect.
00:17:05You know, Benitez's stance, it seems like he wants to throw a right hand.
00:17:20When I thought Benitez, the same wide stance,
00:17:23it looks as though he's attempting to throw a right hand.
00:17:25So I was always prepared for that.
00:17:26Benitez can't switch hands.
00:17:35He will do it from time to time.
00:17:36But he considers himself a natural right-hander.
00:17:41Counter punch by Hearns.
00:17:46See, this is the difference here.
00:17:48Benitez is a great counterpuncher.
00:17:49But for a guy with Tommy's height and breathing, man,
00:17:53it's a different story altogether.
00:17:54Because he's able to land Benitez, land, and he pulls back.
00:17:58Tommy's arms is so long, he can hit you on the way out,
00:18:01the way back.
00:18:05Hearns getting inside for just a moment,
00:18:07peppering Benitez with a jab.
00:18:09Now, that's a good punch, the punch that Benitez has tried
00:18:16to land, that upward jab.
00:18:19He goes down like a little crouch and comes up
00:18:21with that left jab.
00:18:22Not straight, but in the angle, upward.
00:18:25One second!
00:18:27One second!
00:18:32Benitez lunging at him, caught him, I think,
00:18:34with the arm more than with the hand that time.
00:18:36Benitez has a combination.
00:18:58End of the round.
00:19:00As Ray indicated
00:19:02by the stance
00:19:03of Benitez in that round,
00:19:05it seemed to me,
00:19:06even from the first round,
00:19:08that Benitez was looking
00:19:09to throw a big right hand
00:19:11over the jab of Hearns.
00:19:14But as you say,
00:19:14Hearns has been in and out of there
00:19:16so quick with his long reach
00:19:17that he hasn't been able to reach her.
00:19:18The plan is still working real good
00:19:20to where you're going.
00:19:21Everything's still behind the jab.
00:19:23The fight progresses.
00:19:24The man's reflexive slowdown.
00:19:25A lot of the shots is barely missing.
00:19:27We'll start connecting.
00:19:28The main thing,
00:19:29you have control of the fight.
00:19:31And that's a very important factor right now
00:19:32because the fight is very close.
00:19:33It's just the idea of who's controlling who.
00:19:35Okay?
00:19:36And saving everything
00:19:37for when the man makes his big move.
00:19:39So you have it right there
00:19:40to make your move back with him.
00:19:41Okay?
00:19:42Have an issue
00:19:42and everything is perfect.
00:19:46I thought that Emmanuel Stewart
00:19:48would make an excellent commentator
00:19:52as well as a traitor in that case.
00:19:55Same might be said for you, pal.
00:19:57That was echoing, of course.
00:20:00Larry Stewart.
00:20:00Thoughts between the last round.
00:20:02Fourth round.
00:20:10Burns just trying to stay loose.
00:20:12He did that against you, too, right?
00:20:14Well, I think Benitez now
00:20:16is trying to get in some body shots.
00:20:19I'm quite sure he's going to try to throw some.
00:20:21But Tommy, he surprised me again.
00:20:24He can box.
00:20:25The guy really can box.
00:20:27Metal movement.
00:20:28And he utilized the ring very well.
00:20:30And see, the problem that Benitez
00:20:37is having the fact
00:20:38of getting close enough to him
00:20:39because it's really hard to hit Tommy.
00:20:41Of course, a big money fight
00:20:50somewhere down the road
00:20:51very likely for the winner of this fight.
00:20:53Marvin Hagler awaits somebody.
00:20:55Both men would like to have him.
00:20:56That was Benitez.
00:20:59No damage.
00:21:00Well, I think both of these young men
00:21:02are looking for bigger paydays,
00:21:04even with marvelous Marvin Hagler.
00:21:06In fact, the winning
00:21:07had an impressive showing here,
00:21:08especially by a knockout.
00:21:09I mean, without question,
00:21:11Hagler will probably be next.
00:21:13And each guy's trying to find
00:21:15a big punch to land on each other.
00:21:18I think Tommy,
00:21:19the straight right hand,
00:21:20and Benitez,
00:21:21probably a looping right hand,
00:21:22the one I threw on.
00:21:27We look for a tactical fight.
00:21:29It is a tactical fight.
00:21:30A little scraping under the left eye,
00:21:33it looks like,
00:21:33Wilfred Benitez.
00:21:35Those are the type of left jab
00:21:37thrown by Tommy
00:21:37is what I was talking about.
00:21:39He has to be very consistent
00:21:40with that left jab.
00:21:42Keep him busy.
00:21:44Keep Benitez thinking.
00:21:45He has to use that left jab more often.
00:21:49Kearns getting the better of it early on here.
00:21:51There's a little marking
00:21:52under the left eye of Benitez.
00:21:53There's nothing to worry about
00:21:54at this juncture.
00:21:54I have a feeling, though,
00:21:56that Tommy is going to eventually measure
00:22:03up to Benitez and catch him
00:22:05with a good punch.
00:22:07Well, so far,
00:22:08Kearns is getting off quicker
00:22:09and getting out quicker.
00:22:10What's going to be the training for in this fight
00:22:19is the fact that when Tommy is able to land
00:22:21a flesh, clean right hand
00:22:23and Benitez is still there,
00:22:25Benitez won't respect Tommy as much.
00:22:27I think there's still a lot of respect
00:22:29that Benitez holds for Tommy Harris
00:22:30to punch and power.
00:22:31And Tommy Harris is being
00:22:56given a one-point penalty
00:23:01for hooking the back of the head.
00:23:04Holding, actually.
00:23:05That being the case,
00:23:06that was Benitez's best round.
00:23:12We're going to take a look here
00:23:14and show you how Benitez is such a master boxer
00:23:17in making his opponent miss, Larry.
00:23:21He hasn't really loosened up.
00:23:23He started to loosen up in that round,
00:23:24but he's got to loosen up a little bit more.
00:23:26One thing I've noticed, Larry,
00:23:28it seemed to me that
00:23:29while everyone was expecting
00:23:31Benitez to frustrate Hearns
00:23:33by making him miss,
00:23:35and it appears to me
00:23:36that Benitez is now
00:23:37getting a little frustrated
00:23:38and being more offensive
00:23:40than he likes to be.
00:23:42Yes, but Benitez is starting
00:23:43to come forward,
00:23:44and Tommy is starting
00:23:44to back up a little bit,
00:23:45and that's going to
00:23:47make a difference in this fight.
00:23:48This is the fifth round.
00:23:58Hearns on the right,
00:23:59Benitez on the left.
00:24:00Thank you, Tommy.
00:24:04Octavio Moran taking one point away
00:24:06from Tommy Hearns
00:24:06for holding and hitting.
00:24:07Well, that induction
00:24:08of that one point,
00:24:09I think you're going to see
00:24:10a couple more points deducted,
00:24:11because, see,
00:24:12it's not because it's Tommy Hearns' fault.
00:24:14It's just the way
00:24:14that Benitez fights.
00:24:15He gets inside.
00:24:16He feints you and everything.
00:24:17He comes in with his head down,
00:24:19and Tommy, being as tall as he is,
00:24:21is going to put his arm
00:24:22on his man's head
00:24:24to stop getting a headbutt.
00:24:28Hearns going to the body
00:24:29early on here in this round.
00:24:36Benitez is moving.
00:24:37I mean, he's using the ring,
00:24:38and he won't let Tommy set.
00:24:41Up on his toes
00:24:43more than I've seen
00:24:43Wilfred Benitez.
00:24:45Again,
00:24:46I think it's going to take
00:24:48one big punch
00:24:48thrown by Tommy,
00:24:51and for Benitez to say,
00:24:52well, okay,
00:24:52I can take this guy's best shot,
00:24:54because that's what
00:24:55I was thinking about.
00:24:55I knew Tommy could punch,
00:24:57and I messed around
00:24:58to see how hard he could punch,
00:25:00and he hit with a good shot,
00:25:02and from then on,
00:25:03I say,
00:25:03this guy can't really hurt me
00:25:04that much.
00:25:06Well, you heard Emmanuel Stewart
00:25:07between the third
00:25:08and fourth round saying,
00:25:09everything off the jab,
00:25:11everything off the jab,
00:25:12and Hearns has been pretty effective
00:25:13with the jab so far.
00:25:15Got a left hand right there
00:25:17behind the left jab.
00:25:22Benitez getting inside
00:25:23for just a moment on Hearns.
00:25:27What's happened?
00:25:28Benitez is starting to
00:25:29mesmerize Tommy.
00:25:30You know,
00:25:31the way he's doing all those faints,
00:25:32and Tommy's waiting.
00:25:33This is a mistake.
00:25:34You can't wait for a guy
00:25:35like Benitez.
00:25:36He makes you fall asleep.
00:25:39Hearns got the better
00:25:40after that exchange
00:25:41as Benitez tried to get inside
00:25:42and Hearns tagged him
00:25:43on the head a couple of times
00:25:44with the left hand.
00:25:48Benitez gives you all
00:25:49those body faints
00:25:50with the hands,
00:25:51with the head,
00:25:52and then all of a sudden
00:25:52he comes across
00:25:53with his right hand,
00:25:54left hook, anything,
00:25:55any particular punch,
00:25:56he's able to see.
00:25:58Like he attempted
00:25:58to throw a right hand there
00:25:59with Smith's time.
00:26:00Now, a right hand.
00:26:11There's a right hand
00:26:12and that knocks Benitez back.
00:26:14They're going to call it
00:26:15a knockdown.
00:26:16Benitez doesn't like it.
00:26:17No question,
00:26:18Benitez was hurt.
00:26:19It came off
00:26:20the right hand by Hearns.
00:26:22Now, that right hand there
00:26:23waiting for it.
00:26:24You see that,
00:26:24we'll see a reaction
00:26:25of Benitez,
00:26:26whether or not
00:26:26he feels Tommy can hurt him
00:26:28or what.
00:26:29Now, that was a
00:26:30combination of the fact
00:26:31that he was hurt
00:26:32and he slipped a little bit.
00:26:34His legs were still
00:26:35not very solid.
00:26:43It was a good,
00:26:44clean right hand
00:26:44by Tommy.
00:26:49Benitez seems to have
00:26:50his legs back under it now
00:26:52and Hearns
00:26:53will pace himself
00:26:54into round five.
00:26:58I'll tell you
00:26:59we're going to take a look
00:27:00at that knockdown
00:27:01here immediately.
00:27:08There's a right hand
00:27:09right smack on the jaw
00:27:10and it was more punch
00:27:15than slip
00:27:17and let's take a look
00:27:18at it from another angle.
00:27:21A quick right hand
00:27:22that seemed to graze him
00:27:24but it was a pretty good
00:27:26punch nonetheless.
00:27:28I think what we saw there,
00:27:30remember we heard
00:27:30Emmanuel Stewart say earlier
00:27:32he's going to make his move
00:27:33and from what I've said
00:27:35before,
00:27:36Benitez is starting
00:27:36to be more offensive
00:27:37because he's frustrated
00:27:38and so suddenly
00:27:40because of that,
00:27:41Benitez was in the range
00:27:42of Hearns.
00:27:43Benitez knows
00:27:44he must make a positive move
00:27:46to get to Hearns
00:27:47and he's in Hearns range now
00:27:49where earlier
00:27:50he was not.
00:27:51This is the sixth round.
00:27:58Tommy Hearns
00:27:59has been in control
00:27:59of this fight.
00:28:05Benitez pacing up
00:28:07early here
00:28:07in the sixth round.
00:28:13Takes two shots
00:28:14from Hearns.
00:28:15Benitez is somewhat reluctant
00:28:20to come inside on Tommy
00:28:21because Tommy is able
00:28:23to get off so many punches
00:28:25whether it's left hook
00:28:26or right hand.
00:28:27I think Benitez
00:28:28is being safer
00:28:28against the ropes
00:28:29because that's his fight.
00:28:32Well, he fought
00:28:32much of his fight
00:28:33with Roberto Durant
00:28:34with his back
00:28:34for the ropes
00:28:35very effectively.
00:28:37Here, Hearns
00:28:38is being very patient.
00:28:40Good shot by Hearns
00:28:41once more
00:28:41and the legs
00:28:41once more
00:28:42on Benitez.
00:28:44Bacalander in the back.
00:28:46Well, this is what
00:28:46Benitez has to do.
00:28:47He has to fight, Tommy.
00:28:48I mean, he can't
00:28:49just stand back
00:28:50because Tommy's arms
00:28:51are so long
00:28:52so Benitez has to fight.
00:28:54Street fighter.
00:29:09Benitez getting Hearns
00:29:11against the ropes here
00:29:12but not doing a lot
00:29:13of damage.
00:29:14Leading on him
00:29:14right now
00:29:15and Octavio Mehran.
00:29:18You notice that
00:29:18Tommy clinch
00:29:19and people criticize
00:29:20Tommy for not
00:29:20clinching me.
00:29:23He's learned
00:29:23every fight.
00:29:25That was a good shot.
00:29:32Good uppercut
00:29:33by Hearns.
00:29:35Benitez trying
00:29:36to weather this one
00:29:37taking a few shots
00:29:38takes a right hand
00:29:38and another left
00:29:39and takes another
00:29:42straight left
00:29:43and holds on.
00:29:46Benitez is a little
00:29:47dazed
00:29:47although he still
00:29:48has his senses
00:29:49together.
00:29:51Now, see,
00:29:51Tommy can't
00:29:52punch himself out
00:29:52to take his time
00:29:54and not fall
00:29:56into Benitez's trap.
00:29:58Benitez wants
00:29:59Tommy to keep
00:29:59punching,
00:30:00punch himself out.
00:30:01But now,
00:30:06Benitez appears
00:30:06to me very
00:30:07a little tired
00:30:08himself.
00:30:09And he has not
00:30:10gone nowhere near
00:30:10the punches
00:30:11Tommy has thrown.
00:30:12This is the
00:30:13sixth round.
00:30:15Hearns has dictated
00:30:16the fight right
00:30:16from the opening
00:30:17bow.
00:30:18Again,
00:30:18the right hand
00:30:19that is set up
00:30:20seems to be
00:30:20setting up.
00:30:21He threw it.
00:30:22Benitez,
00:30:22he just threw
00:30:23the right hand
00:30:24that I felt
00:30:24he was trying
00:30:25to set Tommy up
00:30:25for.
00:30:26The lead off
00:30:27right.
00:30:27Now,
00:30:34this is when
00:30:34Benitez should
00:30:35become very aggressive
00:30:36because Tommy threw
00:30:36a lot of punches
00:30:37earlier in that round.
00:30:40This round,
00:30:41rather.
00:30:44That was a right
00:30:45hand by Hearns
00:30:45and a right hand
00:30:46by Benitez
00:30:47off the right hand
00:30:48by Hearns.
00:30:52And there's
00:30:53a right hand
00:30:53that buckles Benitez
00:30:54and Benitez is
00:30:55against the left
00:30:56and it's double.
00:30:57Hearns after him
00:30:58at the bell.
00:30:59Smashing right hand.
00:31:03Benitez just
00:31:04doubled back
00:31:04to his foot.
00:31:05He's really hurt.
00:31:07There we see
00:31:08Benitez in a
00:31:09zone that he
00:31:11hasn't been in
00:31:11much before.
00:31:13Now we're back
00:31:13with Tommy Hearns
00:31:16and the important
00:31:17thing,
00:31:17the crucial thing
00:31:18in this fight
00:31:19is that the
00:31:20offensive fighter
00:31:21is making
00:31:22the defensive
00:31:22fighter fight
00:31:24in a way
00:31:24he doesn't like
00:31:25to.
00:31:25Here we come.
00:31:26There it is,
00:31:27the punch
00:31:28that buckled
00:31:29Benitez
00:31:30earlier in the round
00:31:31before that final
00:31:33crunching right hand
00:31:34on the ropes.
00:31:37Let's take another
00:31:38look at it
00:31:39from another angle.
00:31:40You can see the leverage
00:31:41Tommy got
00:31:41from that right hand.
00:31:46Right,
00:31:46he seems to have been able
00:31:47to measure Benitez
00:31:48and catch Benitez
00:31:49with more big punches
00:31:50than we usually see
00:31:52Benitez catching.
00:31:53And because of Tommy's
00:31:54reach and Tommy's
00:31:55speed,
00:31:56I think that's the
00:31:57factor there.
00:31:58The other thing, Ray,
00:31:59is he just seems to
00:32:00really be right on
00:32:01balance with his punches.
00:32:03I mean, everything,
00:32:03Tommy has learned
00:32:04a great deal.
00:32:05And experience
00:32:06is always a factor.
00:32:08And here,
00:32:09Benitez is trying
00:32:10to use his experience,
00:32:11but maybe Tommy's
00:32:12just too big,
00:32:13too fast,
00:32:14and just too much
00:32:16for Benitez.
00:32:17But the fight
00:32:18is still not over.
00:32:19You never can tell
00:32:20what's going to happen.
00:32:22Well, Benitez
00:32:22has been in that place
00:32:23before.
00:32:24He staggered back
00:32:25to his corner
00:32:26against Harold Weston
00:32:27after being knocked down
00:32:28and came back
00:32:29and won the fight.
00:32:35Can Tommy carry
00:32:36that much weight?
00:32:36Is he stronger
00:32:38at 154 pounds?
00:32:40And I feel he is.
00:32:40I think he can carry
00:32:41160 pounds.
00:32:42He has his body
00:32:44and he can carry
00:32:44that kind of weight
00:32:45and be comfortable
00:32:46with.
00:32:49Burns being very patient
00:32:51here.
00:32:51This is the seventh round.
00:32:53Two minutes remaining.
00:33:14Tommy's staying at long range now,
00:33:20on his toes,
00:33:21cutting the ring off
00:33:22against Benitez,
00:33:22fighting a very smart fight.
00:33:32Now Tommy's moving
00:33:33so much
00:33:34that Benitez
00:33:34can't set up.
00:33:35if I was Benitez,
00:33:47you know,
00:33:48at this point now,
00:33:49he has become
00:33:49more aggressive now.
00:33:51It's difficult
00:33:51to win a fight
00:33:52against Tommy Harris
00:33:53moving backwards.
00:33:54He has to get inside,
00:33:55work Tommy's body,
00:33:56see how Tommy likes it there.
00:33:58And from the outside,
00:33:59Tommy's just too quick
00:34:00and too tall
00:34:02for Benitez.
00:34:04There's a right hand
00:34:05by Benitez.
00:34:06Hearns kind of
00:34:07grins back at him.
00:34:11You know,
00:34:12Tommy has a tendency
00:34:14to smile
00:34:14when he's hurt.
00:34:15If he smiled at me,
00:34:16I know he's in trouble.
00:34:18He may be in trouble now,
00:34:19but I doubt it very soon.
00:34:20Only Tommy knows for sure.
00:34:25Doubling up
00:34:26with the left hand
00:34:26is Hearns.
00:34:29Inside the 30-second mark.
00:34:31That right hand
00:34:32was a good right hand, though.
00:34:34And another right hand
00:34:35by Benitez.
00:34:42You're starting to see
00:34:42a different Benitez now.
00:34:47Ten seconds.
00:34:48Hearns doubling up
00:34:57with the left hand again,
00:34:58but that was
00:34:59one of Benitez's better rounds.
00:35:01I thought it was
00:35:02his best round,
00:35:03but I called it
00:35:04an even round.
00:35:06He's trying to solve
00:35:07his taller opponent.
00:35:09Let's listen to Emmanuel Stewart.
00:35:11You've got to start
00:35:12tightening up your gap.
00:35:12You've got too much time
00:35:13waiting on him now.
00:35:14You've got to pick him,
00:35:15you're letting him
00:35:15get yourself together.
00:35:16Okay?
00:35:17Keep your left hand
00:35:18up where you can
00:35:18start shielding
00:35:19the right hand.
00:35:19That's the only thing
00:35:20you've got to look out for.
00:35:21So far, his left hook
00:35:21and his jab
00:35:22is not working.
00:35:23He's keeping plenty
00:35:24of pressure on him.
00:35:25He's eased up on him
00:35:25too much, you know?
00:35:27You've got to ease up.
00:35:27You've got to get
00:35:28his confidence
00:35:28to get his room.
00:35:29Start tracking
00:35:30the right hands
00:35:30to the body.
00:35:31Whether they're laying
00:35:32down here don't matter.
00:35:33Just keep hitting them
00:35:33down here,
00:35:33hitting them down here.
00:35:34Then it'll come
00:35:35right across the shoulder,
00:35:36okay?
00:35:36Start shooting them
00:35:37down until his body.
00:35:39You've got so many
00:35:40opportunities.
00:35:40This fight could be
00:35:41over with this round
00:35:41if you come out
00:35:42and open up on him.
00:35:45And there's
00:35:48Wilfred Benitez.
00:35:49You wonder when
00:35:50he's going to abandon
00:35:51his basically
00:35:52defensive attitude
00:35:54and decide that
00:35:56it isn't working
00:35:57and that he must
00:35:58become offensive
00:35:59if he wants
00:35:59to retain his title.
00:36:02And Emmanuel Stewart
00:36:03saying keep the pressure
00:36:04on.
00:36:04You let him off
00:36:04a little bit too much
00:36:05in that last round.
00:36:06He started to get
00:36:06his confidence
00:36:07and he also said,
00:36:08as you heard,
00:36:09that his jab
00:36:09has been ineffectual
00:36:10so far
00:36:11because he has not
00:36:12been using that much
00:36:13and the fact that,
00:36:14like I stated earlier,
00:36:15if Tommy can't hit the head,
00:36:16he needs to go
00:36:17to the body.
00:36:17Carry down there
00:36:18a couple of times.
00:36:19Benitez has to be
00:36:20more expensive.
00:36:21He has to go to work now.
00:36:26Burns getting that jab
00:36:27into the face
00:36:27of Wilfred Benitez.
00:36:37Benitez tried
00:36:38to make his fighters
00:36:39his opponent fall asleep.
00:36:41Good right hand again.
00:36:42He's trying to do this
00:36:43with Tommy, though.
00:36:44He gets inside,
00:36:45he faints and everything.
00:36:46You know,
00:36:46all of a sudden,
00:36:47you find yourself
00:36:47falling asleep.
00:36:52Well,
00:36:52I really am impressed
00:36:54with what looks to me
00:36:55to be Hearn's maturity here.
00:36:57I thought he fought
00:36:57a very mature fight
00:36:58against you, too,
00:36:59but he just seems
00:37:01to have grown up
00:37:01as a fighter.
00:37:02Well, Tommy can get
00:37:03better and better.
00:37:04I mean,
00:37:04he's at that stage now.
00:37:06He's going to grow
00:37:07with his career.
00:37:25There's a left hand.
00:37:27Held back to right.
00:37:28Takes a couple from Benitez.
00:37:30This is what Benitez has to do.
00:37:31Get inside with Tommy.
00:37:32Make him exchange punches.
00:37:33Left hand counterpunch,
00:37:38but he took one
00:37:38to give one.
00:37:51You know,
00:37:52both fighters
00:37:52are making each other think
00:37:53because he's starting
00:37:54to land
00:37:55with some pretty good punches.
00:37:56a looping right hand.
00:38:10If you're talking
00:38:11about Benitez,
00:38:12Tommy will never see it
00:38:13because so far,
00:38:14Benitez has been down.
00:38:15He gets inside
00:38:16and he works it by it
00:38:17when he comes to the head.
00:38:18But if he start off
00:38:20with a looping right hand,
00:38:21I don't think Tommy
00:38:22will be able to see that.
00:38:23That was an effective punch
00:38:24for you in that fight too,
00:38:25of course.
00:38:26Very effective.
00:38:28You see Tommy's
00:38:29being effective now
00:38:30by the left jab.
00:38:33There's a right hand
00:38:34of the ribs
00:38:34and a left hand
00:38:35which is a little bit short.
00:38:36Right hand lead
00:38:54by Benitez scores.
00:38:55But once again,
00:38:56it scores not really flush
00:38:57because it's getting hurt
00:38:58while he's on his bicycle.
00:39:01So he's taking away
00:39:02the fourth mid punch.
00:39:04Let's take a look
00:39:04at Wilford Benitez.
00:39:05Larry Holmes,
00:39:06what does Benitez have to do
00:39:08to pull this fight out?
00:39:09I think he's doing
00:39:10the right thing now.
00:39:11He's starting to counter
00:39:12Tommy's left jab
00:39:13and Tommy's starting
00:39:14to fatigue a little bit.
00:39:15His corner's not putting
00:39:16an ice pack on his neck.
00:39:18They're putting it on the neck
00:39:19but he's not really putting
00:39:19water on him
00:39:20to cool him off.
00:39:24There's the...
00:39:25There was almost
00:39:26the best combination
00:39:28of Wilford Benitez's
00:39:30fight right to the body,
00:39:32a left that missed.
00:39:33Tommy's still got to
00:39:37come on and use that jab.
00:39:38He's got to get
00:39:39a little bit more energy.
00:39:40There's always...
00:39:40There's been a question
00:39:41about the stamina of Hearns
00:39:43and do you think
00:39:44that that's the thing
00:39:45that can hold him back
00:39:47now from winning?
00:39:48Yes, it is.
00:39:49It's the thing
00:39:49that we're holding back
00:39:50if he don't get it together.
00:39:56We come to the ninth round.
00:39:58They broke you, Larry's eggs.
00:40:07Tommy has stamina.
00:40:08Believe me,
00:40:09a great deal.
00:40:10A little bit too much.
00:40:16Combination there by Benitez.
00:40:18I like those punches
00:40:18thrown by Benitez
00:40:19because now he's
00:40:20starting to work your body.
00:40:22He's going to the body
00:40:23a lot more
00:40:24with some pretty good shots.
00:40:25Benitez seemingly
00:40:29measuring Hearns
00:40:30a little bit better
00:40:31than before.
00:40:31Quick left hand.
00:40:33Turn to San Marino.
00:40:43Turn to San Marino.
00:40:44He doesn't want him
00:40:45against the ropes.
00:40:47There's a lunging right hand
00:40:48by Benitez.
00:40:51Benitez has gone
00:40:52to that right-hand lead
00:40:53a couple of times
00:40:53in the last two rounds.
00:40:58You know, in training,
00:40:59Tommy, I thought he was
00:41:01working on keeping
00:41:02his hands up,
00:41:02that left hand up higher.
00:41:04But, you know,
00:41:04as the rounds roll
00:41:05by each round,
00:41:06it goes lower and lower.
00:41:08And I wouldn't be surprised
00:41:09if it goes back down
00:41:10to his leg
00:41:10like he normally keeps it.
00:41:11Didn't you say
00:41:12that you get power
00:41:13from your left hand
00:41:14being in that position?
00:41:15I get a lot more power.
00:41:16I get more leverage
00:41:17because I bring it up.
00:41:18It's like a snap.
00:41:19It's more snap.
00:41:19It almost seemed obvious
00:41:33that Benitez is going
00:41:34to throw a lead-off fight
00:41:35against him.
00:41:37By his stance
00:41:38and the way he's
00:41:39it's like he's waiting.
00:41:40He's waiting for an opportunity
00:41:41so San Marino
00:41:42will give him that opportunity.
00:41:49That is something
00:41:54you can't do this time.
00:41:55You can't reach.
00:41:56You can't telegraph
00:41:57your punches.
00:41:59Inside the one-minute mark.
00:42:00Round nine.
00:42:02Roll it down.
00:42:02Roll it down.
00:42:03The best thing Benitez
00:42:04can do,
00:42:05and he do it in spirit,
00:42:08is faint.
00:42:09Then get inside
00:42:10and then work.
00:42:11Because you know,
00:42:12every time Benitez
00:42:13gives Tommy a head
00:42:14or arm faint,
00:42:16Tommy throw a punch.
00:42:17You attempt.
00:42:17You see him shake.
00:42:18And the mistake
00:42:34that Benitez can't make
00:42:35is to go straight into Tommy.
00:42:37Benitez took one
00:42:38and gave one again,
00:42:39and Hearns is not back
00:42:40from the left hand.
00:42:44They say it was a punch,
00:42:45not an outdown.
00:42:46Hearns is saying,
00:42:47no, I think it was a punch.
00:42:49It was a left hand
00:42:50from Benitez.
00:42:51It might have been set up
00:42:52by a counter-punching right.
00:42:56End of round nine.
00:42:58I'm curious to see this myself.
00:43:01It appeared to me,
00:43:02Barry and Ray,
00:43:03that that was a part punch
00:43:05and part off-balance push.
00:43:08But nevertheless,
00:43:09it's been scored a knockdown.
00:43:11And that could have
00:43:12a very positive effect
00:43:13on Benitez.
00:43:20Yeah, it didn't look like
00:43:22a really good punch at all.
00:43:24It sort of,
00:43:25it hit Hearns high on the head
00:43:27and just sort of tilted him
00:43:29over.
00:43:29Let's go to Hearns' corner now.
00:43:56This is the 10th round.
00:43:57Two similar knockdowns,
00:43:59one by each man.
00:44:00Kind of half punch,
00:44:01half push.
00:44:06Hearns was not hurt by that,
00:44:08no more than Benitez was
00:44:09when he got knocked out.
00:44:16You know, Benitez
00:44:17gets hit by the left hook
00:44:18of the top
00:44:19every time he comes in.
00:44:20And then he raises,
00:44:21he puts his hands up
00:44:22later on.
00:44:24That was a good right hand
00:44:25by Benitez.
00:44:26And Hearns did not flinch
00:44:27and gets out of there.
00:44:29Solid right hand.
00:44:39Benitez continuing
00:44:40to counterpunch.
00:44:41right hand lead by Benitez.
00:44:58And that was the better exchange
00:45:10by Hearns.
00:45:11A right hand by Hearns
00:45:12was the best punch
00:45:13without exchange.
00:45:13And Benitez comes back
00:45:16and now he takes the right hand
00:45:17from Hearns.
00:45:20A lot of damage in this round
00:45:22on both parts.
00:45:23Combination by Hearns.
00:45:26and the other very best punch.
00:45:27And Hearns was the best punch.
00:45:28I mean, Kevin, he's got a good shot.
00:45:30He's got a good shot.
00:45:31Slight hook.
00:45:32He's got a good shot.
00:45:32Slight hook.
00:45:33Slight hook.
00:45:33going alongside the left eye of Boal Fincanita, who both have had big shots, but I think Tommy
00:45:38Punch is a little cleaner, a little more devastating.
00:45:46Hearns took a couple of good shots and gave back a couple of more.
00:46:03Hearns saying, come on, come to me. Benitez saying, we've come here.
00:46:17And Hearns wants things his way, Benitez wants things his way.
00:46:20That swelling is really alongside the eye, back of the cheek, actually, of Wilfred Benitez.
00:46:45Hearns jumped a little bit of that also.
00:46:50That vicious exchange is perhaps the busiest exchange I've ever seen Wilfred Benitez in,
00:47:10which speaks both to the condition of the fight and the fact that he is a champion who's
00:47:16trying to come back. Let's see what happened in that exchange.
00:47:20There was a good left hand behind, but Hearns came back with a strong right hand
00:47:27right on the button to retake the initiative. But here comes Benitez right straight back,
00:47:32looking for some place to land.
00:47:33Good body shot by Benitez that slipped in there between the long arms of Tommy Hearns.
00:47:46The situation is getting desperate for Benitez, and Benitez is trying to come up to that situation
00:47:53and give the right answer. This is the 11th round.
00:48:05He's trying to pick up the pace here.
00:48:13He's trying to pick up the pace here.
00:48:17Good body shot by Benitez.
00:48:19Good body shot by Benitez.
00:48:24Good body shot by Benitez.
00:48:30That was a pretty good shot, and he takes the right hand, says, no, I'm not hurt, and
00:48:54he took a good shot from Hearn.
00:48:58Hearns gets the better of it on the ropes, almost invariably.
00:49:04Hearns doesn't get better leverage.
00:49:06Manipur's his height advantage, and Benitez, once Benitez gets this out, because he does
00:49:11get the position, but all of a sudden, he doesn't find room.
00:49:15Let's go for big shots.
00:49:20And you'll see, he'll work, Benitez will work his way in, he gets there, and all of a sudden,
00:49:33he says, well, this wall is bigger than I thought it was.
00:49:38There was a fight.
00:49:42Neither man is damaged, but you saw Tommy Hearns call the attention of Octavia Moran.
00:49:48Tommy Hearns has looked very impressive.
00:50:04I mean, he's fighting a real, a true champion here in Benitez.
00:50:08He's fighting a very smart fight, too.
00:50:12You know, it's funny, bro.
00:50:17You know, I'm sitting on the outside, and some of the rounds are going by so fast, but in
00:50:22that ring, the rounds really take hours before they pass, especially on the losing end.
00:50:27It's much easier for Larry Merchant and I out here, I'll tell you.
00:50:30We are undefeated out here, and we can fight every couple of weeks.
00:50:33I prefer to dress this way.
00:50:35Right hand is a little short by Hearns at the bell.
00:51:00Larry Holmes, I don't see Tommy Hearns letting up at all
00:51:04and giving Benitez any chance to seize the initiative.
00:51:08Well, Tommy's doing what he has to do to win.
00:51:10He got that jab working.
00:51:11He got that quick right hand, and he also encountered.
00:51:13Benitez don't know what to do.
00:51:14He's kind of confused.
00:51:17Let's listen to Emanuel Stewart and Tommy Hearns.
00:51:22You got a grand on him, man.
00:51:23That's what you're doing.
00:51:24Oh.
00:51:25The round is coming up.
00:51:26Come on.
00:51:31Keep letting me, bro.
00:51:33I don't mind you getting him in the ropes over there.
00:51:35Let's keep him in the ropes.
00:51:36You're doing good in the ropes.
00:51:37You got a grand on him, man.
00:51:39Okay, baby.
00:51:40Keep your hands up now.
00:51:42Be sure you keep them up.
00:51:43Boy, that time, if your attacks get close together,
00:51:45you're shooting them until you're teaming in between you.
00:51:48Interesting by play there where Emanuel Stewart is now saying
00:51:52to Tommy Hearns, it's okay if he wants to be back on the ropes.
00:51:55We don't have to be afraid of him there anymore.
00:51:59That's indicating that he feels Tommy Hearns has things in hand.
00:52:05This is the 12th.
00:52:07Tommy just winked at me just before the round started,
00:52:09I guess just to reassure me that everything is in complete control.
00:52:13And it looks that way right now.
00:52:23One thing that does impress me is that the corner of Tommy Hearns is very calm.
00:52:28And it's always been my experience that the corner that is more collected,
00:52:32more calm, is the most effective.
00:52:34Well, that is must.
00:52:35I mean, Tommy Hearns is very professional.
00:52:37I mean, he hangs to it.
00:52:39He knows the business.
00:52:40He knows exactly what he's talking about.
00:52:42Blood from the nose of Wilfred Benitez now.
00:52:55And also a little bit of a cut, I believe, on the bridge of the nose.
00:52:59That's a long side, the left eye.
00:53:02That could cause Benitez some problems.
00:53:12Benitez's corner and his father, Goyo, Gregorio, urging him onward.
00:53:19But Benitez can't seem to double up against the very effective Tommy Hearns tonight.
00:53:25See, Tommy Hearns can let that right hand go at any given moment.
00:53:28And that's what Benitez has to be very careful of.
00:53:30When he's coming in, although he's doing the right thing about fainting,
00:53:33he's still vulnerable for that straight right hand because he's coming straight at Tommy.
00:53:40Well, I really didn't think I would see anybody be able to dictate the tempo of the fight against somebody like Wilfred Benitez.
00:53:45And yet I think Tommy Hearns has done that so far, Ray.
00:53:48Well, again, you know Tommy Hearns, he stands out left hand.
00:53:51He's got to knock it down.
00:53:52Knock it out of the way.
00:53:53It's not supposed to be there anyway, so knock it down.
00:53:55Right here!
00:53:56Right here!
00:53:57Right here!
00:53:58Right here!
00:53:59Right here!
00:54:00Right here!
00:54:01Benitez is kicking the pace up, but he's walking in.
00:54:02He took a good shot.
00:54:03That was a good left hand from Hearns.
00:54:05Benitez's face is starting to show the beating it has taken from both the left and right hand of Tommy Hearns.
00:54:18I know you can relate to that.
00:54:20Yes, in fact, they've already criticized Tommy for not having stamina.
00:54:23Once he fought meat, that proved he had stamina.
00:54:25But recently, Tommy has not been going to distance.
00:54:28And still, here is the fourth round.
00:54:30He looks very fresh.
00:54:45Tommy's doing the right hand.
00:54:46Keeping Benitez at the left hand.
00:54:48Inside of 10 seconds.
00:54:49Round 12.
00:54:51He can do this for 40 rounds.
00:54:53He looks very strong.
00:54:55He's been on his toes at the right time.
00:54:56Worked the ring very well.
00:54:57Fighting a very smart fight.
00:55:02Let's take a look at the champion, Wilfred Benitez, a man whose crown right now appears to be top one.
00:55:11You can almost see it falling down around his eyes at this moment.
00:55:18One of the reasons that Benitez isn't effective as he goes after Hearns is that he's practically never had to do it during his career.
00:55:28He's not comfortable throwing more than a one punch or a punch and a half as he moves forward and then his initiative seems to peter out.
00:55:37And also, the fact that Benitez always had trouble with the boxer.
00:55:40With me, when I was able to move and utilize the ring, it frustrated him in a sense.
00:55:44Three more rounds and Tommy Hearns will have come all the way back from that defeat by Ray Leonard.
00:55:59This is the 13th, and Wilfred Benitez is simply running out of time and running after Tommy Hearns.
00:56:09Again, Benitez is running in with that head.
00:56:12Very dangerous against a man like Tommy Hearns because of that right hand Tommy has.
00:56:18Each man has been knocked down once, each a questionable knockdown.
00:56:25Benitez, he's close to that left jab out to get closer Tommy.
00:56:29And quite naturally, jab is to get you closer, but you can't float it out there.
00:56:33You have to stick it out with authority.
00:56:35Once again, Benitez gets the one punch in but cannot double up.
00:56:47The left hand caught the glove of Tommy Hearns.
00:57:16Hearns using that jab, keeping his man off him, using the ring.
00:57:21Hearns using that jab, keeping his man off him, using the ring.
00:57:25Hearns using that jab, keeping his man off him, using the ring.
00:57:29Hearns using that jab, keeping his man off him, using the ring.
00:57:34Hearns using that jab, keeping his man off him, using the ring.
00:57:39And that draws a warning for fighting.
00:57:51Benitez now just can't get close enough, because Tommy is, he moves back when Benitez tries to get in.
00:57:58And he just can't get in position to do any serious damage to Tommy Williams.
00:58:04It's very frustrating for a fighter, especially for Benitez at this point here.
00:58:08I guess he feels he's behind, you know, especially by points, and he wants to throw it on.
00:58:16Because Tommy won't give him the opportunity.
00:58:18Trying to press Hearns, and he just can't get closer now.
00:58:21It was the right hand that did land on the top of the head of Tommy Williams, thrown by Wilco Benitez.
00:58:33It was the right hand that did land on the top of the head of Tommy Williams, thrown by Wilco Benitez.
00:58:46And to the 13th round.
00:58:58Ray mentioned that Benitez is trying to pour it on.
00:59:01It's like pouring water on a fire that just won't go out.
00:59:05Let's take a look at both fighters here and wonder what's going on inside this really outstanding champion's head.
00:59:15Once again, we come late into a fight.
00:59:25Frequently, a real champion will pull out everything to try to win and leave himself exposed and perhaps get stopped.
00:59:32We're at that 14th round where something frequently happens.
00:59:36This is the 14th.
01:00:01Tommy Hearns.
01:00:06Tommy Hearns, it would appear for all intent, would need only to stay on his two feet to win the Super Welderweight Championship.
01:00:14He aspires to four championships.
01:00:16Well, I talked about strategy earlier, Barry, and Tommy has found the right tactics of approaching this fight.
01:00:24Boxing, using that jab, consistently keeping his man off balance.
01:00:31He's going to get inside, put his punches together.
01:00:38And here we are on the 14th round, there are no signs whatsoever of fatigue.
01:00:54And both fighters are in great shape, and they both approach this fight with, you know, positive, great positive.
01:01:07Well, he looked for a tactical fight, and it has been just that, except that it was Tommy Hearns' tactics who have dominated the fight.
01:01:14Well, he's just kind of lunging at her hands, and Hearns' just getting out of there when he does.
01:01:21And he's just kind of lunging at her hands, and Hearns' just kind of lunging at her hands, and Hearns' just getting out of there when he does.
01:01:36That was a left hand by Benitez.
01:02:05Benitez.
01:02:06Benitez.
01:02:07Benitez.
01:02:08Benitez.
01:02:09Benitez.
01:02:10Benitez.
01:02:11Benitez.
01:02:12Benitez.
01:02:13Benitez.
01:02:14Benitez.
01:02:15Benitez.
01:02:16Benitez.
01:02:17Benitez.
01:02:18Benitez.
01:02:19Benitez.
01:02:20Benitez.
01:02:21Benitez.
01:02:22Benitez.
01:02:23Benitez.
01:02:24Benitez.
01:02:25Benitez.
01:02:26Benitez.
01:02:27Benitez.
01:02:28Benitez.
01:02:29Benitez.
01:02:30Benitez.
01:02:31Benitez.
01:02:32Benitez.
01:02:33That was a slip. I don't believe Hearns is hurt.
01:02:39Benitez, it's another combination, 15 seconds remaining.
01:02:42Benitez's corner urging him on here, thinking that perhaps Hearns is hurt.
01:02:46I don't believe he is.
01:02:56We will have three minutes of fighting left.
01:03:00Ray, what I'm struck by here is this.
01:03:03In a fight between a powerful, positive force in the ring like Tommy Hearns
01:03:08and a powerful, what I call negative force like Benitez,
01:03:14the positive force usually comes out on top.
01:03:18That's true, but only half here is two magnets turned the opposite way.
01:03:22And Tommy seems to be more positive now
01:03:25and more assured of what he's going to do
01:03:27and what he's about to complete in this next round.
01:03:31Pull it out, Tommy. Okay, please hold this up.
01:03:36Another class break.
01:03:38Well, Tommy Hearns, true enough, has never fought 15 hands.
01:03:41He has fought almost 14.
01:03:45You can ride off.
01:03:46Let's go and tell him.
01:03:48Let's go, Tommy.
01:03:49Larry, just for the record, how do you have it at this point?
01:03:58I assume Benitez would have to knock him out.
01:04:00I think he needs a double knockout.
01:04:02I couldn't hear correctly in Tommy's corner.
01:04:04I don't know whether or not they told him,
01:04:05don't showboat or showboat.
01:04:07You have to get him down for a count of 20.
01:04:09And even then, it'll be close.
01:04:12Well, Benitez just named a good right hand against Tommy.
01:04:15So, Benitez's work is cut out.
01:04:17He knows he's got to go get him.
01:04:21And he's got about two and a half minutes to do that.
01:04:23And he took a left hand, a straight left jab by Hearns.
01:04:39Benitez's pride to press it.
01:04:41That right hand we saw Benitez,
01:04:43they threw against Maurice Holt to gain that title.
01:04:46I haven't seen the same temper throws yet.
01:04:49That was one of those one-in-a-million punches.
01:04:56It's such a surprising punch, too, though,
01:04:58because you really can't see it coming.
01:05:00It's a looping right hand.
01:05:02There's a right hand, but Hearns does not take a backward step.
01:05:08Benitez doesn't seem to have a snap on his punch.
01:05:10He throws his right hand,
01:05:11and he puts his other hand along with him.
01:05:19A minute and a half remaining in this fight.
01:05:44He's got the left hand of the chest,
01:05:46missed the right hand.
01:05:47And Hearns keeps the jab in the face
01:05:50and keeps Benitez off of it.
01:05:52The way things look at me,
01:05:53Tommy has been in complete control,
01:05:55and he can just put another gut run of waste.
01:05:58But a very intelligent fight did Tommy Hearns.
01:06:01And barring some bizarre scoring,
01:06:03which we have seen before,
01:06:06you might see Tommy Hearns shuffle,
01:06:07but when he feels good, he does his shuffle.
01:06:12Proud is on its feet here,
01:06:13exhorting what they expect will be the new champion.
01:06:16He has down to 30 seconds.
01:06:25Now, great of a technician,
01:06:34Demetrius,
01:06:35he just couldn't find a way
01:06:37that would be quick enough
01:06:38to get through Tommy Hearns defense.
01:06:39This one is just about history.
01:06:46Inside a 10.
01:06:48Benitez has found Hearns with the right hand.
01:06:50Did not hurt him.
01:06:52And Hearns finishes with a flurry.
01:06:56That's it.
01:06:57It's all over.
01:06:58And a great fight it was.
01:06:59Excellent fight.
01:07:01Two good warriors.
01:07:02Two worthy champions.
01:07:09And a lot of respect being shown
01:07:11for one another in there, too.
01:07:12Oh, I knew there was mutual respect
01:07:14between both fighters
01:07:14long before the fight even started.
01:07:17Tommy Hearns, I mean, he deserved,
01:07:19he had such an impressive showing
01:07:21against a great fighter,
01:07:22a great champion,
01:07:23like Wilfred Brunettez.
01:07:24Yeah, that's the thing
01:07:24that really strikes me.
01:07:25It was an impressive showing,
01:07:27to be sure,
01:07:27but the fact that he did it
01:07:28against the fighter of Brunettez's caliber
01:07:30is another story altogether.
01:07:31I mean, that's what you have to look at,
01:07:32the fact of who he did it against.
01:07:34Brunettez, a great fighter.
01:07:36A lot of people don't know
01:07:37how great this man really is.
01:07:39Right now, to the ring announcer.
01:07:40Let's get the official decision
01:07:42from Jimmy Lennon.
01:07:43Jimmy.
01:07:44Ladies and gentlemen,
01:07:46we have a majority decision.
01:07:48Lou Filippo of California
01:07:51sees it 142 to 142,
01:07:53calling it even.
01:07:55He is overruled
01:07:56by Judge Dick Young,
01:07:59146 to 136.
01:08:02Tony Castellano,
01:08:04144 to 139.
01:08:06In favor of the winner
01:08:07by a majority vote,
01:08:08the new superwoman
01:08:10in Tommy Hittman and Hearns.
01:08:18Tommy, that moment
01:08:28at the end of a fight
01:08:29when you hear the decision,
01:08:30you're a new champion,
01:08:31you feel redemption.
01:08:33Can you describe it at all?
01:08:35What's a great feeling
01:08:36for me, Larry?
01:08:37Knowing that I have once again
01:08:39time back to the ring
01:08:40and being able to grab a title again
01:08:42it made me very happy.
01:08:44Ray, any questions for Tommy?
01:08:46Yes, Tommy,
01:08:47you fought a very strategic fight
01:08:48with Benitez.
01:08:49I mean, you utilized the ring,
01:08:50you utilized your boxing skills.
01:08:52You hurt your hand
01:08:53between the seventh
01:08:53and eighth round.
01:08:55It never appeared to me
01:08:55that your hand was injured
01:08:56when you was boxing.
01:08:57Did that make you
01:08:58change your tactics?
01:09:00Well, it did make me
01:09:00kind of change
01:09:01because I wanted to get in there
01:09:02and try to land
01:09:04more heavier shots,
01:09:05Ray, but my right hand
01:09:07wouldn't allow me.
01:09:07So what I had to do
01:09:08was just try to use the jab
01:09:10and just basically
01:09:11work off the left jab.
01:09:12I knew my left jab
01:09:13was to be a victory
01:09:14in the fight,
01:09:15so my basic thoughts
01:09:16was to just get
01:09:17the left jab to work.
01:09:19Show us that hand
01:09:20would you, Tommy, please
01:09:21and tell us
01:09:21what is wrong with it
01:09:23and how long
01:09:24it's going to take to hear.
01:09:24Okay, right now
01:09:25it's just dislocated.
01:09:26I dislocated my hand
01:09:27and possibly it will take
01:09:29probably my doctor
01:09:31told me about a month
01:09:32to month and a half
01:09:33before I'll be able
01:09:34to start taking
01:09:35therapy on my hand.
01:09:38So right now
01:09:38I just got to relax
01:09:40and just lay back
01:09:41and do nothing.
01:09:42All right,
01:09:42what does this do
01:09:43to your timetable
01:09:44for the year?
01:09:45Particularly,
01:09:46do you look forward
01:09:47to fighting Marvin Hagler
01:09:48for the middleweight championship
01:09:49sometime later this year?
01:09:51No, Larry,
01:09:52I'm not looking forward
01:09:52to fighting Marvin right now.
01:09:54Right now I'm just planning
01:09:55on after my hand as well
01:09:56just defend my title
01:09:57a few times
01:09:58and then no telling
01:09:59where I go from there.
01:10:00Thanks very much,
01:10:01Tommy Hearns
01:10:02and now back to Barry Tompkins.
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