He had fought just once since winning the title ( outpointing Murray Sutherland in a non-title fight in July 1983 ) because of his oft - injured right hand .
This was Hearns ' first defense of the title he won from Wilfred Benitez fourteen months earlier .
Hearns had fought just once since winning the title ( outpointing Murray Sutherland in a non-title fight in July 1983 ) because of his oft - injured right hand .
This was Hearns ' first defense of the title he won from Wilfred Benitez fourteen months earlier .