Hit Man - Brian Hughes [86]
He suggested that this move was a clear riposte to those who suggested he was unable to think for himself. “Emanuel wants to have control over his fighters but I am not one to be controlled.” He also issued a strong rebuttal to the criticism of Harold Smith as his adviser. “I have heard that the people handling me are incompetent but this is not true. Harold Smith does not manage Thomas Hearns. Harold Smith is not my promoter. Thomas Hearns is his own manager and Thomas Hearns is going to do his own thing.”
Finally, Hearns said that he and Steward had actually agreed that they should split up without any public animosity and without bad-mouthing each other. So he was disillusioned when he heard the criticism levelled at him from Steward and Kronk insiders. “I might have plenty of bad things to say but two wrongs don’t make a right. I only hope that he gets satisfaction by doing this.”
A MONTH AFTER confirming his decision to leave his spiritual home and mentor, Hearns accepted an invitation from the United Services Organisation to take a group of boxers to visit American troops gathered in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield, the impending assault to liberate Kuwait from the invading army of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. He solemnly declared the ten-day trip to be “the most important experience of my life.” Brushing aside criticism that he was neglecting his preparation for a proposed fight against Virgil Hill, he argued, “American people need to support one another and show they care. These troops represent us, the American people and they are sacrificing their lives for us. This is just my way of saying ‘Thank you.’” He joked that he wanted to offer his gratitude because, “They are not using boxing gloves in this battle and so I can’t help in that way.”
Hearns and his group visited bases and were surrounded by hundreds of troops wherever they went. They kibitzed with the military personnel, shook endless hands, posed for photographs and signed autographs. Hearns even sparred in a makeshift ring with a US Army sergeant. “He made the effort to come out here and see us – I respect him for that, and I’ll never forget it,” wrote one US airman. “I’m a fan for life – to hell with Sugar Ray Leonard!” On his return, a humbled Hearns said, “This is definitely my first real sign of just what I mean to people. People consider me a fighter. The men and women in that desert are the real fighters. I was able to come home after ten days; they had to stay and face the possibility of war everyday.” In December 1990, he was made an honorary four star general by US commander General Norman Schwarzkopf, otherwise known as Stormin’ Norman, in recognition of his support for the troops.
Once back in the relatively safe confines of Detroit, he busied himself training for his next assignment, an exhibition fight against James “The Heat” Kinchen at Detroit’s Cobo Arena. Kinchen had previously lost a decision to Hearns after some worrying moments for the champion, when Kinchen had wobbled him. This time, Hearns explained that their contest had a dual purpose. He was hoping to show his adoring Detroit public that although he had left the Kronk institution, he would never lose his allegiance to his hometown. Secondly, the proceeds from the exhibition would benefit the city’s homeless, specifically the Salvation Army and the Capuchin soup kitchen. “I love Detroit,” Hearns told reporters, “There is no other city to live. Whenever I go someplace, after two or three days, I’m always ready to come home.” Unfortunately, the exhibition had