Sugar Ray Leonard has revealed the most dangerous puncher that he ever crossed paths with during his professional career.
The North Carolina-native rose to prominence during the early 1980s where he would become a member of boxing’s ‘Four Kings’ alongside Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Leonard would go on to win world titles in five weight classes throughout the course of his professional career, including a reign as the undisputed welterweight champion which he captured with a victory over Tommy Hearns in September 1981.
Despite facing a number of dangerous opponents during his tenure, Leonard once revealed the strongest of them all as one former rival in particular who was known for his outstanding natural strength.
In a resurfaced ‘Best I Faced’ feature with The Ring Magazine, ‘Sugar Ray’ made no mistake in naming Marvin Hagler as the strongest fighter that he ever faced as he claims his countryman had the ability to knock you out with ‘either hand’.
“Marvelous Marvin Hagler: He was ambidextrous and could knock you out with either hand.”
Leonard and Hagler faced each other on just one occasion during their respective careers, a showdown for the WBC world middleweight title at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas back in April of 1987.
‘Sugar Ray’ would prevail in a closely-fought 12-round contest to hand Hagler the third defeat of his career, although it would also prove to be the latter’s final ever ring appearance.
A rematch between the duo had reportedly been discussed although this did not come to fruition for a number of reasons. Hagler made his retirement official in the summer of 1988 with a record of 62-3-2.
