Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: A major pay-per-view event occurred on September 16 , 1981 , when Sugar Ray Leonard fought Thomas `` Hitman '' Hearns for the Welterweight Championship .
Simplified: The first major pay-per-view event was on September 16 , 1981 . This event was Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas `` Hitman '' Hearns boxing for the Welterweight Championship .