Sugar Ray Leonard has no doubt one of his legendary former rivals was the ‘perfect boxer’ after three memorable encounters.
The American great is widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, which he proved on more than one occasion throughout the course of his professional career.
Leonard rose to prominence during the 1980s where he would eventually become a member of boxing’s ‘Four Kings’, standing alongside Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns, facing the legendary quartet on at least one occasion each.
‘Sugar Ray’ captured world honours across five weight classes during his tenure, including a reign as the undisputed welterweight champion which he captured when he produced a legacy-defining win over Hearns in September of 1981.
In a resurfaced interview with The Telegraph, Leonard spoke fondly of former rival Roberto Duran as he claims the Panamanian great was the ‘perfect boxer’.
“They didn’t give Duran the credit he deserved. He was a little guy who got into the ring with the big guys and was still knocking them out. He was an incredible boxer – maybe the perfect boxer.”
Leonard faced Duran on three occasions during their respective careers, producing several memorable bouts that remain a topic of discussion amongst boxing fans around the world.
Sugar Ray holds a 2-1 advantage over Duran, defeating the Panamanian icon in their second meeting in November 1980 by eighth round TKO, before earning a unanimous decision victory when they met again for the third and final time in December 1989.
