Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns Joins Trump on Stage at Detroit Rally, Expresses Awe: ‘This Can’t Be Real’

Former President Donald Trump held a rally in the Detroit area on Saturday, welcoming boxing legend Thomas “Hitman” Hearns to the stage.

The three-time Republican presidential nominee spoke to a crowd at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, where he took a moment to pose for a photo with Hearns, a celebrated city native.

Trump held a rally in downtown Detroit on Friday night. Getty Images

Before addressing the audience, Trump spotted Hearns in the crowd and invited him to join him on stage. “I won so much money betting on this guy. … Some of the greatest fights in history,” Trump remarked. He praised Hearns, stating, “One of the greatest fights of all time, and man, I’ll tell you what, he was something special.”

As Hearns joined Trump on stage, he expressed disbelief at the former president’s kind words. “Hearing those nice words coming from you, man, this can’t be real,” he said. “Hearing it come from you, I’m very excited. I want to fight now.”

Hearns was the first boxer to become a world champion in five different weight classes. AP

Hearns, who had a professional boxing career spanning from 1977 to 2006, made history by becoming the first boxer to win world championships in five different weight classes: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. This impressive feat has since been matched by notable boxers such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao.

“I won so much money betting on this guy,” Trump said about Hearns. Getty Images

One of Hearns’ most significant moments came in 1981 when he faced Leonard in a historic match. The fight featured a combined purse of $17 million, the largest in boxing history. Although it was Hearns’ first loss after starting his career 32-0, the bout lasted 14 rounds. The two fighters later had a rematch eight years later, which ended in a draw.

Hearns’ last title victory occurred on April 10, 1999, when he defeated Nate Miller for the vacant IBO cruiserweight title. He lost this title almost precisely one year later in his hometown to Uriah Grant. Hearns retired after his final fight, a victory that marked his 61st win, on February 4, 2006, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. His illustrious career ended with five losses and one draw out of 67 fights.