Pipino Cuevas defended his WBA world welterweight title against Thomas Hearnsbr br Date: Agust 2, 1980br br Venue: Joe Louis Arena, Detroitbr br Cuevas stance: orthodoxbr br Hearns stance: orthodoxbr br Pipino Cuevas turned pro in 1971 when he was just 14. He lost five of his first 12 bouts, then enjoyed an eight-fight winning streak. In 1976, Cuevas lost on points to Andy Price and just a few weeks later, he won the WBA welterweight title with a second round destruction of Ángel Espada. Over the next three and a half years, Cuevas defended his title 11 times, with only Randy Shields lasting the distance. He developed a reputation for having a fearsome left hook.br br Thomas Hearns turned pro in 1977 and trained under Emmanuel Steward. He was very tall for a welterweight at 6'1", and had a reach of 78". Steward tuned Hearns from a talented, but light hitting, amateur into a devastating puncher who took full advantage of his height and reach. His record was 28-0 with 26 KOs. Hearns' best wins were a third round of Bruce Curry in 1079 and a fourth round stoppage of Angel Espada in 1980. Hearns enjoyed home advantage for his first world title fight.