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Thomas Hearns wants another title
 Hearns won seven world titles from welterweight to light-heavyweight DETROIT, Michigan -- Boxing legend Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns will return to the ring in Detroit on July 30 at the age pf 46, and after a five-year retirement, when he faces American journeyman John Long. Hearns said he was returning to the ring at Cobo Arena against Long, 35, despite his former manager and trainer Emanuel Steward trying to talk him out of it. "My ultimate goal is to win another championship," Hearns said. "It has been heavy on my mind." Hearns is a seven-time world champion from welterweight to light heavyweight and his last bout was a loss to Uriah Grant April 2000, when he was forced to quit after the second round because of an ankle injury. It's not the way Hearns wanted his fabled fight career to finish. "I'm my own man," Hearns said. "Emanuel is not too happy I'm boxing. But I make my own decisions. I have to come back and show it was just a fluke. I'm physically able to do it. "In life, you go through different phases. Some people are going to be happy (with my decision). Some people aren't. But I must live my life." Hearns has a record of 59-5 with one draw and 46 knockouts and will fight Long in a bout midway between cruiserweight and light-heavyweight divisions on the same card as his unbeaten son Ronald Hearns, 6-0 with four knockouts. "I'm totally confident in Dad's ability, but as a son, you still have worries. But I have faith in him," the younger Hearns said. Hearns said he would like three or four fights to regain prime fighting shape before challenging for a light heavyweight world title. Poland's unbeaten Tomasz Adamek, 29-0 with 20 knockouts, is the World Boxing Council title holder and France's Fabrice Tiozzo, 47-2 with 31 knockouts, is World Boxing Association champion. American Clinton Woods, 37-3 with one draw and 23 knockouts, has the International Boxing Federation version of the throne. Brad Wright, Michigan's boxing commissioner, said Hearns must pass a physical to fight Long and that he would prefer Hearns stayed out of the ring for good. "I'm not saying he can't beat a lot of guys. But I'm worried about Tommy in 10 years," Wright said. "As his friend I'm advising him not to fight. As commissioner I will not overrule his return if a doctor says he's fit to box." Long, 19-6 with one draw and 10 knockouts, last fought in January of 2005, losing a split decision to Preston Kenney. Long said he believed he could beat the once-mighty Motor City puncher. "I have a chance," Long said. "He hasn't fought in a while. I don't have the experience he has. He's going to try to take my head off. I'm going to try to take his off." 
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