Thomas Hearns vs. Michael Olajide
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| Date | April 28, 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | WBO super middleweight title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hearns wins via unanimous decision (120–107, 119–107, 119–110) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Hearns vs. Michael Olajide, billed as The Barrage at Trump Taj, was a professional boxing match contested on April 28, 1990 for the WBO super middleweight title.[1]
Background
Following a controversial draw in his previous fight, it was announced that Thomas Hearns would make his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Michael Olajide. The bout was set to be the first to be held at the then-newly opened Trump Taj Mahal owned by future United States President Donald Trump. Trump was in the midst of his high-profile separation (and eventual divorce) from wife Ivana which overshadowed the pre-fight press conferences.[2]
Olajide had been a top prospect in the middleweight division, becoming the #2 middleweight contender in 1987 and securing a title shot for the vacant IBF middleweight against the #1 ranked Hearns, but Hearns turned down the fight in order to move up to the light heavyweight division.[3] With Hearns leaving the middleweight division, Olajide ascended to the #1 middleweight, but lopsided losses to Frank Tate and Iran Barkley had hurt his status as one of the premier up-and-comers. In an effort to resurrect his career, Olajide had parted ways with this father, Michael Olajide, Sr. in favor of legendary trainer Angelo Dundee prior to landing the Hearns fight.[4]
The fight
Hearns cruised to a relatively easy unanimous decision victory. Hearns served as the aggressor for the entire duration of the fight as Olajide took a more defensive approach and offered little offensively in the fight. Hearns would score the fight's lone knockdown after dropping Olajide with a right cross. Olajide would answer the referee's 10-count at 7 and withstood a flurry of punches while against the ropes as Hearns looked to finish the fight. The fight would ultimately go to the judge's scorecards with Hearns winning by large margins on all three; 120–107, 119–107 and 119–110.[5]
Aftermath
An eye injury from boxing ended Olajide's career in 1991. The injury left him legally blind in his right eye.
Fight card
Confirmed bouts:[6]
| Weight Class | Weight | vs. | Method | Round | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Middleweight | 168 lbs. | Thomas Hearns (c) | def. | Michael Olajide | UD | 12/12 | Note 1 |
| Light Heavyweight | 175 lbs. | Michael Moorer (c) | def. | Mario Melo | KO | 1/12 | Note 2 |
| Light Heavyweight | 175 lbs. | Anthony Hembrick | def. | Lenzie Morgan | UD | 8/8 |
^Note 1 For WBO Super Middlweight title
^Note 2 For WBO Light Heavyweight title
Broadcasting
| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
 United States |
Showtime |
References
- ^ "Thomas Hearns vs. Michael Olajide". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Even a Champion Can't Steal Spotlight From Donald Trump, NY Times article, 1990-02-16, Retrieved on 2022-08-28
- ^ No Word From Hearns, NY Times article, 1987-05-13, Retrieved on 2022-08-28
- ^ Easy Doesn't Do It, Sports Illustrated article, 1990-05-07, Retrieved on 2022-08-28
- ^ Hearns Drops Olajide, Earns Decision, Washington Post article, 1990-04-28, Retrieved on 2022-08-29
- ^ "BoxRec - event".