In a career that is in its 16th year, Thomas Hearns has fought in 17 world title fights and met the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran.
"This is the biggest fight of my career," said Hearns, who challenges Virgil Hill for the World Boxing Association light heavyweight championship tonight outdoors at Caesars Palace."Where does Thomas go from here? This time Thomas Hearns really has to shine."
A loss could mean the end of a career in which the 32-year-old Hearns has earned championship recognition in five weight classes. Leonard, now retired at 35, is the only other fighter to do that.
Should Hearns win - Hill was a 5-2 favorite - he might go after a sixth title. That would be a piece of the 190-pound cruiserweight championship.
Hearns weighed in officially at 174 pounds Sunday for his bid to become a light heavyweight champion a second time. He won the World Boxing Council 175-pound title in 1987, but never defended it.
Hill, who has won all 30 of his pro fights, with 18 knockouts, weighed 173 pounds for his 11th title defense.
Eight of Hill's defenses and 14 of his fights have been in North Dakota, where he grew up.
The 27-year-old champion, who now lives in Las Vegas, knows he must do more than just win this appearance on the national boxing stage.
"To be a marketable fighter, you have to look impressive," Hill said. "I'd like to see it lead into the next level of boxing - the super-star level where I can demand the kind of paydays like Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns."
Hill might never hit that financial plateau, but his $1.5 million purse is six times as big as his previous biggest payday.
Hearns is getting $4.25 million.
Hearns, the Hit Man from Detroit, has scored 40 knockouts in posting a 49-3-1 record, but Hill said, "I question his ability to punch as a light heavyweight."