Thomas Hearns vs. James Kinchen

Following his upset loss against Iran Barkley in June 1988, 4–division world champion looked to quickly rebound by challenging WBA super middleweight champion Fulgencio Obelmejias in an effort to win his fifth world title in a fifth different weight class.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-04-sp-10189-story.html Hearns to Go for 5th Title in Bout With Obelmejias],

LA Times article, 1988-08-04, Retrieved on 2022-08-20 However, Obelmejias withdrew only weeks before the fight citing a rib injury and was replaced by James Kinchen.[https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/20/sports/sports-people-new-hearns-opponent.html New Hearns Opponent],

NY Times article, 1988-10-20, Retrieved on 2022-08-20{{cite web |author1=JEFF HASEN |title=The tug-of-war for pay-per-view dollars has plunged to new... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/11/02/The-tug-of-war-for-pay-per-view-dollars-has-plunged-to-new/1179594450000/ |website=upi.com |publisher=United Press International |access-date=4 September 2024 |date=2 November 1988}}

The switch from Obelmejias to Kinchen briefly put Hearns quest for a fifth world title in doubt as Kinchen only held the lower-regarded NABF super middleweight title rather than a world title from the major sanctioning bodies. This was rectified when promoter Bob Arum announced two days before the fight that the newly formed World Boxing Organization would sanction the fight for their inaugural super middleweight title, although the WBO belt was not considered to be a major title for more than a decade.[https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/04/sports/boxing-hearns-has-shot-at-5th-title.html Hearns Has Shot at 5th Title],

NY Times article, 1988-11-04, Retrieved on 2022-08-20

Hearns was a 7 to 2 favorite.

The first of the world title bouts on the card saw IBF light middleweight champion Matthew Hilton face number 1 contender Robert Hines.{{cite web |title=Robert Hines vs. Matthew Hilton |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Robert_Hines_vs._Matthew_Hilton |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=4 September 2024}}

In round two, while stuck on the ropes and absorbing heavy punches from Hilton, Hines was hurt by a series of Hilton power shots, but was held up by the ropes, before being given a count by the referee. Late in the third, Hines was knocked down for the second time, by a flush overhand right which sent him down onto the canvas.

However, as Hilton wore out Hines was able to land his southpaw right jab with great greater frequency.

Hilton would be deducted a point in round eight for repeated low blows.

At the end of 12 rounds Hines would awarded a unanimous decision victory with scores of 116–110, 114–111 and 112–111.

The second title bout saw, IBF middleweight champion Michael Nunn making the first defence his title against number six ranked Juan Roldán, who had twice fought the world title.{{cite web |title=Michael Nunn vs. Juan Domingo Roldan |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Michael_Nunn_vs._Juan_Domingo_Roldan |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=4 September 2024}}

Roldán was knocked down in the first round, and was knocked out by Nunn in the eighth round.

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Though Hearns entered the fight as a sizable favorite over the virtually unknown Kinchen, Kinchen would prove to be a formidable opponent; having Hearns in trouble several times throughout the fight. Kinchen would score the fight's lone knockdown, doing so midway through the fourth round after landing consecutive overhand rights. After Hearns got back up and continued the fight, Kinchen would continue his assault forcing Hearns to clinch. Hearns would disregard referee Mills Lane's orders and had to be forcefully separated by Lane resulting in Lane taking a deducting a point from Hearns after the round. By the end of the fight's full 12 rounds, Hearns' right eye was nearly closed shut though two judges felt he had done enough to win, scoring the fight in his favor at 116–112 and 115–112 while the third had it even 114–114 giving Hearns the majority decision victory.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/11/06/hit-man-spends-a-night-getting-hit/1bb2bdc1-dd90-4fd3-a46a-7fc916537012/ "Hit Man" Spends Night Getting Hit], Washington Post article, 1988-11-06, Retrieved on 2022-08-22

The Associated Press scored the bout 114–112 for Kinchen, UPI had it 114–113 for Kinchen, KO Magazine 114–113 for Hearns and Ring Magazine had it for 115–112 Hearns.

In January 1989, promoter Bob Arum announced the long-awaited rematch between Hearns and reigning WBC super middleweight champion Ray Leonard.[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/25/sports/notebook-caesars-palace-named-for-leonard-hearns.html Caesars Palace Named For Leonard-Hearns], NY Times article, 1989-01-25 Retrieved on 2020-02-17

Confirmed bouts:{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/1260|title=BoxRec - event}}

{{note|Thomas Hearns vs. Jame Kinchen|Note 1|For NABF and WBO Super Middlweight titles}}
{{note|Michael Nunn vs. Juan Roldán|Note 2|For IBF Middleweight title}}
{{note|Matthew Hilton vs. Robert Hines|Note 3|For IBF Light Middleweight title}}

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{{Thomas Hearns}}

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Category:1988 in boxing

Category:1988 in sports in Nevada

Category:November 1988 sports events in the United States

Category:Boxing matches at the Las Vegas Hilton

Kinchen

Category:Boxing matches refereed by Mills Lane

Category:Boxing on Showtime

Category:Pay-per-view boxing matches