OCR Text |
Show w 4pectt Force 9 wins fourth title March 1, 1991 'Hit Man' was a hit during visit I 1 i r J h by Sgt. Gary Kunlch 388th TFW Public Affairs deployed Verbal jabs and "stare-downwere exe when changed boxing champion, TomMan" "Hit Hearns, visited the 388th my Tactical Fighter Wing and other supporting units at their deployed location in the Middle s" five-tim- h ft . East. It was all in good fun, though, and part of a handshake and autograph session at the base. The event was part of a week-lontour set up the Services United by Organization. Hearns is throughout the boxing world as being the only person to win all five of his championship belts in five different weight categories. After arriving via a the Hit Man was whisked away to a meeting with the wing and base commander, and then taken to the airmen's area of the base. After a quick stop into the workout weight tent for a with some of the surprised servicemen inside, he headed to the dining hall to sign autographs and get photos taken with his fans. During the first part of his visit, Hearns answered questions and posed for photographs, but appeared quiet and slightly tense. When a fan hollered out and asked if there'd be a Hearns-Leonar- d fight No. 3, he hinted there might be another rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard in mid-JulIn their first fight, the Hit Man fought well, but was knocked out in the 11th round. In their rematch last year, both fought to a draw, but many people thought Hearns won n spur-of-the-mome- hi' ''" i o g C-13- x": iff t well-know- : o V o 0, nt V4 .O" A y. the match clearly after knocking the sugar out of Ray, flooring him two different times. Following his visit to the airmen's dining hall, Tommy was driven to "Tent City," where a group of servicemen, anticipating his visit, built a makeshift boxing ring complete with a wooden sign proclaiming "Desert Shield Main Event-Tho- mas 'Hit Man' Hearns vs. Saddam 'Insane' Hussein for the Middle East Championship of the World." If he was tense before, it sure didn't show as Hearns stepped out of his car and into the ring with a big smile on his face. "Where's he (Hussein) at? I want him, I want him," he said with a smile. "Now I really feel at home," he said while showing off some fancy footwork and boxing skill around the ring. Obviously touched by the work put into the ring, Hearns posed for photos, autographed the sign advertising his match with Hussein, and after thanking everyone, drove on to his next stop at the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit. A crowd even bigger than the one at the air- men's dining hall was already waiting for the boxer. More than loosened up now, Hearns joked with the crowd and signed several more autographs. When two people asked who would win Forethe upcoming Evander Holyfield-Georg- e he was man heavyweight championship fight, quick to answer. "Give me five dollars and I guarantee I'll tell you who the winner will be," he said slyly. Both put up the money and Hearns took them aside to give him his prediction on the fight. Someone else in the crowd hollered that he had a dollar and asked if he could get just part of the prediction. "You want v I : 3 66 We're all praying for everyone's safety and hopefully we'll see you back in the states real soon. 99 Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns part of the prediction? Evander Holyfield and George Foreman? They're both fighting that's part of the prediction," he said, while taking the man's dollar. Not to worry, the Hit Man gave all the money back before leaving and heading to lunch at the officers' dining area. At his next stop at the laundry and services squadron area, Hearns autographed everything from a lamp shade to the shirt on someone's back. One fan handed over a picture of himself for Tommy to sign and asked the boxer if he thought they looked alike. "We might be the same color but I don't think we look alike," he answered, while signing the d 1 y Or i" J y . U.S. Air Force rnoloi by Sgt. Gory Kunich jg-jr- real champ Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns visited deployed troops in the Persian Gulf during a USO tour to boost morale. He took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures. picture. At his last stop, at the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar, Hearns and his assistant added a little more fun to the handshake session. While he joked with the crowd, his assistant hollered out a sergeant's name. When the sergeant stepped forward, the assistant said, "That's the one who said he was going to kick your butt, Tommy!" Before the sergeant could even begin to deny e with him and gave it, Hearns stood him a chance to win a $100 bill. "I'll put this on your shoulder, and if you're quick enough to jerk it away before I can grab it, you can have it," the boxer said. The sergeant was quick to accept the challenge, but Hearns demonstrated some quickness of his own. Before most people could blink an eye, the boxer grabbed the money and had it back in his pocket in less than a second. The Hit Man said he wanted to stay longer but had to catch a plane for his next stop on the USO tour. Before leaving, though, he did get serious. Almost complete silence fell over the crowd as Tommy faced the people and spoke up one last time. "We're all proud of you guys over here. Everyone's thinking of you back home and you're not forgotten," he said. "We're all praying for everyone's safety and, hopefully, we'll see you back in the states real soon." toe-to-to- 3 Personal finance Don't let emotions rule pocketbook Heirfforce Hill welcomes newborns Sports Hockey team wails on opponent 17 |