Many boxing fans would argue a case for Sugar Ray Leonard being the complete package in the ring, however the man himself regarded one rival as such.
After a distinguished amateur career, Leonard entered the pro ranks in 1977 and would win his first 27 fights without suffering defeat. His blend of technical skill, power through precision and charisma made him a superstar.
Fight 28 came against Roberto Duran in 1980, and the Panamanian icon scored a unanimous decision over 15 rounds. It was the first bout between a group that would become known as The Four Kings, adding in Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler.
Leonard would face Duran again five months later, making him quit in the eighth, and then again in 1989, winning a UD of his own.
Despite coming out on top in the trilogy, Leonard told The Telegraph that ‘Hands of Stone’ could be ‘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.”
Duran was naturally smaller than his fellow Kings and therefore his record against them is a modest one. Outside of that, however, the four-weight world champion is regarded as one of the best fighters in the history of the sport.
His relentless aggression gained him titles from lightweight to middleweight, and he hung up the gloves with an incredible 103 wins from 119 fights. Duran retired in 2001 at the age of 50, though has said he would have kept fighting had a car crash not impacted his health.
