Editing Thomas Hearns (section)

===Hagler vs Hearns===
{{main|Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns}}
While remaining super-welterweight (light-middleweight) champion, Hearns ventured into the [[middleweight]] division to challenge undisputed middleweight champion [[Marvin Hagler]] in 1985. Billed "The Fight" (later known as "The War"),<ref name="war1">{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Alex |title=Hagler's 'highlight' came against Hearns, which had the greatest round in history |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/849062/marvin-hagler-tommy-hearns-round-1-war-boxing-history/ |work=talkSPORT |date=15 March 2021}}</ref> this bout has often been labeled as the three greatest rounds in boxing history.<ref name="war1" /><ref name="war2">{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Gene |title=Marvin Hagler helped boxing soar in the 1980s, and nothing topped his epic TKO of Thomas Hearns |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/03/13/marvin-hagler-thomas-hearns-the-war/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=14 March 2021}}</ref> The battle elevated both fighters to superstar status. Hearns was able to stun Hagler soon after the opening bell, but he subsequently broke his right hand in the first round.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffer |first1=Richard |title=Hearns Broke Right Hand in 1st Round : An Uppercut to Head Stunned Hagler but Hurt the Hit Man |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-18-sp-23678-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 April 1985}}</ref> He did, however, manage to open a deep cut on Hagler's forehead that caused referee Richard Steele to call a time out; the ring doctor examined the cut over Hagler's right eye and said, "let him go." The fight was allowed to continue at this point, with the ringside commentators remarking on the fact that, "the last thing Hagler wants or needs is for this fight to be stopped on a cut."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Adam |title=Marvin Hagler vs Thomas Hearns remembered by Adam Smith on 35th anniversary of legendary fight |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11973778/marvin-hagler-vs-thomas-hearns-remembered-by-adam-smith-on-35th-anniversary-of-legendary-fight |work=Sky Sports |date=15 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The battle did go back and forth some, but Hearns was unable to capitalize on his early successes against Hagler. As a result of breaking his right hand, Hearns began to use lateral movement and a good jab to keep Hagler at bay as best he could. This tactic worked fairly well, but in the third round Hagler staggered Hearns and managed to catch him against the ropes, where a crushing right hand by Hagler knocked Hearns down. Hearns beat the count but was clearly unable to continue and the referee decided to stop the fight. Despite the loss, Hearns garnered a tremendous amount of respect from fans and boxing aficionados alike.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zinoman |first1=Jason |title=The last hurrah for the hitman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/07/boxing.features |work=the Guardian |date=7 May 2006}}</ref> Considering the popularity of the fight and the level of competition, a rematch seemed to be a foregone conclusion and was highly anticipated, but it never took place.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Hearns Races Toward Hagler Rematch |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/30/sports/hearns-races-toward-hagler-rematch.html |work=The New York Times |date=30 July 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Slater |first1=James |title=Hagler-Hearns - When They Tried To Set Up A Rematch — Boxing News |url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/hagler-hearns/60717 |work=Boxing247 |date=30 August 2016}}</ref>