Roy Jones Jr has cast his view on which of The Four Kings – ‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler, Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran – was the best of them all.
In the golden era of boxing’s middleweight division, these four legendary names stood above the rest. Collectively known as The Four Kings, these enduring stars of the sport defined 1980s boxing through a brutal series of rivalries set apart by skill, blood, sweat and sheer will.
Hagler was the iron-chinned southpaw who ruled with aggression and discipline. Hearns brought knockout power and reach and the Olympic golden boy Leonard mixed speed and ring IQ. Lastly, Panamanian brawler Duran fought with intense heart and ferocity.
They faced each other in unforgettable battles that cemented their legacies not just for the winners, but for all involved, because of the wars they went through.
Speaking to RealLyfe, former multi-weight ruler Jones Jr was asked about the four greatest fighters ever in his view, and only one of the famous Four Kings made his list with Robinson taking the highest spot.
“It’s real hard to say, but if I had to create my own Mount Rushmore, I would take myself out of it because I’m doing it. It would be tough but I would put Muhammad Ali first. I would probably put Sugar Ray Robinson second. I would probably put Robert Durán third, him or Julio Cesar Chavez, and I would probably put Mike Tyson somewhere around fourth.”
Duran has previously said that in his view, Hagler had the most solid chin of the four men.
