Hearns to announce his March 25 bout will be his last

Thursday, February 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) -- Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns is set to announce Thursday that his bout next month with two-time European champion Crawford Ashley will be his last of his boxing career. Hearns, winner of multiple titles, was to announce the decision during a news conference at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, where he will face Ashley on March 25 at Joe Louis Arena.

The 41-year-old Hearns (59-4-1 with 46 knockouts) will defend his IBO cruiser weight title against the 35-year-old Ashley (39-9-1, 27 KOs) of England in a 12-round bout. Hearns won the title last April in England with a victory by decision over Nate Miller. Hearns, who held minor belts in every weight class from welterweight to cruiser, was the junior-middleweight champion from 1984-86.