Former President Donald Trump held a rally in the Detroit area on Thursday, where he welcomed local boxing legend Thomas “Hitman” Hearns to the stage.

The event took place at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, showcasing Trump’s ongoing campaign efforts as he seeks to secure support ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

Before taking the stage, Trump posed for a photo with Hearns, a celebrated figure in boxing history and a native of Detroit.

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The former president expressed his admiration for Hearns during the rally, stating, “I won so much money betting on this guy… Some of the greatest fights in history.” Trump praised Hearns, calling him “one of the greatest fights of all time,” and highlighted his remarkable talent in the ring.

Spotting Hearns in the audience, Trump invited him to join him on stage. Hearns, visibly excited, responded, “Hearing those nice words coming from you, man, this can’t be real. … Hearing it come from you, I’m very excited. I want to fight now.”

The crowd responded with cheers, celebrating the unexpected appearance of the boxing icon.

President Trump invites legendary former professional boxer Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns onstage in Detroit, MI pic.twitter.com/Q5n8dwkQWU

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Thomas Hearns is renowned for his exceptional career in professional boxing, which spanned from 1977 to 2006.

He made history as the first boxer to become a world champion in five different weight classes, including welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight.

Hearns’s achievements in the sport set a precedent that has since been matched by other boxing greats such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao.

One of Hearns’s most significant moments came in 1981 when he faced Sugar Ray Leonard in a highly publicized bout.

The fight, which featured a combined purse of $17 million, was the largest in boxing history at that time.

It marked Hearns’s first loss, ending his impressive 32-0 record after 14 grueling rounds.

The two boxers had a rematch eight years later, which concluded in a draw.

Hearns’s last title victory occurred on April 10, 1999, when he defeated Nate Miller for the vacant IBO cruiserweight title.

He lost the title almost exactly one year later in his hometown to Uriah Grant. Hearns’s final fight took place on February 4, 2006, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where he secured his 61st victory.

Over the course of his career, Hearns retired with five losses and one draw in 67 professional fights.

Trump’s rally in Detroit attracted attention not only for the political message but also for the special appearance by Hearns, a local sports hero.

The combination of political campaigning and celebrating local talent resonated with attendees, further emphasizing the connection between sports and community pride in the Detroit area.

As the campaign season heats up, events like these serve to energize supporters and foster a sense of unity among local and national figures.

The presence of Thomas Hearns at Trump’s rally illustrates the former president’s effort to engage with a diverse audience and reinforce his ties to Michigan’s rich cultural heritage.