Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran were collectively known as the ‘Four Kings.’
The quartet all competed against one another throughout the 1980s, and are all regarded as some of the best boxers in the history of the sport.
Leonard has now been discussing who was the best he faced from his perspective, which began when he took on Duran back in June 1980.
The Mexican won that fight to hand Leonard his first defeat and win the WBC and Ring welterweight titles, but Leonard gained revenge five months later, securing an eighth round stoppage victory to re-claim his belts.
A clash with Hearns then came in September 1981, with Leonard picking up a 14th round TKO win, retaining his WBC and Ring welterweight titles and adding the WBA crown to his collection.
Leonard moved up in weight where he then met Hagler, winning by split decision to win the WBC and Ring middleweight titles. He then headed up to super-middleweight, drawing with Hearns to re-claim the WBC super-middleweight title he won in the fight prior.
The final encounter for Leonard against one of the ‘Four Kings’ came against Duran in December 1989, with ‘Sugar Ray’ winning by unanimous decision to ensure he claimed bragging rights in their trilogy contest.
Having shared the ring with each of those boxing legends, Leonard has named who he views as the best overall out of all three.
“It was Tommy. I don’t think anything matches our first fight.”
Hearns was the first boxer in history to win world titles in five divisions, having done so from welterweight up to light heavyweight.
While he may have been unable to defeat Leonard in their two fights, Hearns picked up 61 wins in his legendary career, including a second round stoppage victory over Duran in June 1984.
Hearns also took on Hagler in April 1985, with Hagler winning by third round TKO, in a clash that is still regarded to this day to be the greatest three-round battle in boxing history.
