Thomas Hearns vs. James Kinchen was a professional boxing match contested on November 4, 1988, for the NABF and the inaugural WBO super middleweight titles.

[6] However, Obelmejias withdrew only weeks before the fight citing a rib injury and was replaced by James Kinchen.

The first of the world title bouts on the card saw IBF light middleweight champion Matthew Hilton face number 1 contender Robert Hines.

Kinchen would score the fight's lone knockdown, doing so midway through the fourth round after landing consecutive overhand rights.

In January 1989, promoter Bob Arum announced the long-awaited rematch between Hearns and reigning WBC super middleweight champion Ray Leonard.