ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 1996 TAG: 9612020106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
Thomas ``Hitman'' Hearns' first visit to Roanoke couldn't have gone better, even if he lost money on his boxing match against Karl ``The Scorpion'' Willis.
He beat Willis in the fifth round on a technical knockout. He was lauded last Sunday during a church service at High Street Baptist Church. He found a few great fishing spots. And he was welcomed wherever he went.
``So many people wanted to have me over for dinner, I couldn't take all the offers,'' he said.
Hearns, 38, wasn't here to eat, pray or fish, however. He was here to start a tour that he hopes will culminate in a May bout with undefeated International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr. Hearns was planning to fight Jones on Nov.2 for the vacant World Boxing Council light heavyweight title, but Jones instead fought and struggled to beat 39-year old Mike McCallum.
``If he fights Thomas Hearns like he fought Mike McCallum, Roy Jones gets knocked out,'' said one member of Hearns' entourage.
Hearns' payday in Roanoke was small, partly because he helped bankroll the event and partly because he was receiving a percentage of the gate. But that doesn't matter to Hearns, who has won more than $80 million in purses during his 18-year pro career. Any losses would be more than accounted for with the payday from a Hearns-Jones matchup.
The financial losses for Steelhawk Promotions, Inc., the local promoter, are not known, but the revenue likely failed to cover its $40,000 media and promotional expenses.
``It's been quite a learning experience,'' said Steelhawk president Melanie Steele, who nevertheless maintained an optimistic perspective throughout the weeks preceding the fight.
What could have been done better? A better job of scheduling would have helped. The biggest football game in the state of Virginia, UVa vs. Virginia Tech, was being played 45 minutes away, and didn't end until an hour before the fight card began. It also didn't help that the Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Promoters hoped to capitalize on the thousands of fans in the area for the football game. They also thought they could draw a male audience whose wives were spending money at area shopping malls.
The attendance of fewer than 1,000 patrons wasn't what those involved in the fight had anticipated.
Nevertheless, professional boxing will return to Roanoke. Steelhawk wants to promote five or six cards per year, the next possibly as soon as January. Steele said Muhammad Ali is considering a tour of the United States after his great reception last summer in Atlanta at the Centennial Olympic Games. Tentative plans would have Ali visiting two cities in each state across the nation, with boxing matches held in conjunction with his appearance.
If Ali were to visit Roanoke, Hearns could accompany him. He already said he wants to bring his little league baseball team, ``The Hit Team,'' to town to face a local team.
In between now and then, he'll keep boxing and touring.
``People say Thomas Hearns should retire,'' Hearns said. ``Only when it's in God's will will Thomas Hearns retire.''
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY\Staff. Thomas ``Hitman'' Hearns (left) avoidsby CNBa right hand from Karl Willis during their light heavyweight bout at
the Roanoke Civic Center on Friday night.