Marvin Hagler once revealed the fighter that he believed was even better than former rival Sugar Ray Leonard.
Hagler dominated the middleweight division throughout the 1980s, reigning as the undisputed world champion for seven years between 1980 and 1987 where he made no less than 12 successful defences of his crown.
Whilst he defeated the likes of John Mugabi, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran during his reign as middleweight champion, Hagler was eventually dethroned by countryman Ray Leonard in April of 1987.
The showdown between the two men was declared a split decision victory for Leonard after a competitive 12 rounds in Las Vegas, although many feel the result should have gone the other way in favour of ‘Marvelous’.
After Hagler failed to secure a rematch with Leonard, he would go on to announce his retirement from the sport and transition into his career as an actor, with his final record reading 62 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws, 52 of those wins by knockout.
In a feature with The Ring Magazine, Hagler was asked to name the best fighter he faced. In that category – as well as the most skillful and the man with the fastest hands – he named Roberto Duran.
“I would say Roberto Duran was very experienced.”
Just like Hagler, Duran rose to prominence during the 1980s where he became a member of ‘The Four Kings’, a legendary quartet made up of himself, Hagler, Leonard and Thomas Hearns, who all shared the ring with each other on at least one occasion during their careers.
Duran became a world champion in four weight divisions along the way, as well as holding the undisputed lightweight championship which he captured back in 1978 when he defeated Esteban de Jesús.
