Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward once had high praise for a welterweight star that he spent a number of years working with.
The 147lb division has produced a number of elite fighters throughout history, including the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard.
It is a former rival of Leonard that Steward viewed as the best ever fighter he trained, after he heaped praise on boxing legend Thomas Hearns.
Speaking to East End Boxing, Steward explained what separated Hearns from some of the other world champions he coached, such as Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.
“Not only was Tommy the best fighter I ever worked with, he was also the most exciting. For me, climbing in the ring whenever Tommy fought, it was just so exciting. Tommy was very special.
“He was probably the closest reflection to my own style of fighting. With Tommy, he had so many outstanding qualities it’s hard to list just one – but he was so dedicated.
“Tommy worked so hard in the gym. If I told him, ‘Tommy, today you spar 20 rounds.’ He’d say ‘Okay.’ That’s just the way he was – dedicated.”
Hearns became world champion at welterweight back in August 1980, and would go on to claim world honours in a further four divisions, making him the first fighter in history to become a five-weight world champion.
‘The Hitman’ was part of the prestigious ‘Four Kings’ along with Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, leading to a number of famous battles between the quartet, notably his legendary three-round shootout with Hagler which took place in April 1985.
