
(Scypre.com) – Former President Donald Trump held a rally in the Detroit area, and it turned into an unforgettable moment when a local sports legend joined him on stage.
The three-time Republican presidential candidate appeared at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Before he addressed the cheering crowd, Trump posed for a photograph with Detroit native and boxing icon Thomas “Hitman” Hearns. Hearns, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, was in attendance for the rally.
TOMMY HEARNS
— Danny (@dantheboxingman) October 19, 2024
AT A TRUMP RALLY TODAY‼️
👀👀#Boxing
🥊🥊🥊🥊 pic.twitter.com/VJvdoBXbV4
As Trump spoke, he noticed Hearns in the crowd and wasted no time inviting the champion to join him on stage. “I won so much money betting on this guy,” Trump remarked, pointing out Hearns in the audience. “Some of the greatest fights in history—one of the greatest fighters of all time, and I’ll tell you what, he was something special.”
Hearns, visibly moved by the recognition, joined Trump on stage, appearing almost in disbelief at the enthusiastic praise. “Hearing those nice words coming from you, man, this can’t be real,” Hearns said, smiling broadly. “Hearing it come from you, I’m very excited. I want to fight now.”
Thomas Hearns, known as the “Motor City Cobra” during his legendary career, was the first boxer in history to win world titles across five different weight divisions. Hearns fought professionally from 1977 to 2006, conquering titles in six different categories: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. He set a precedent that few others have followed, with only boxing legends like Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao managing to match his achievements in multiple weight classes.
Hearns became a household name after his historic fight with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981. The bout, which saw the two fighters share a combined purse of $17 million—a record at the time—became one of the most memorable moments in boxing. Despite suffering his first loss in that match after an undefeated start of 32-0, Hearns gained respect for his toughness and tenacity, taking the fight into 14 grueling rounds before Leonard emerged victorious. The two would meet again in 1989, and this time the match ended in a draw.
Throughout his career, Hearns faced some of the most challenging opponents of his era, showcasing not only his skill but also his versatility. His last title victory came on April 10, 1999, when he claimed the vacant IBO cruiserweight title by defeating Nate Miller. However, Hearns lost the title almost exactly a year later in Detroit when he faced Uriah Grant. Despite the ups and downs of his career, Hearns retired on a high note with a victory—his 61st—on February 4, 2006, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. He ended his career with an impressive record of 61 wins, five losses, and one draw in 67 professional fights.
Trump’s rally in Detroit highlighted not only his political ambitions but also his appreciation for the city’s sports history. Thomas Hearns remains an indelible figure in Detroit’s culture, and his appearance at the rally brought a sense of pride and excitement to those in attendance. It was a meeting of two larger-than-life personalities, each of whom had made an impact in their respective fields—Trump in politics and Hearns in boxing. The event, marked by admiration and nostalgia, served as a reminder of Hearns’ legacy and his place among the greats in boxing history.