Marvin Hagler once revealed which of his Four Kings rivals he felt stood out over the others.
Hagler, who sadly passed away in 2021, is regarded as one of the best boxers of all time, and was a firm fan favourite throughout his legendary tenure.
He was undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987, making 12 successful title defences in the process, with all but one of those wins ending by knockout, displaying the huge power that he possessed throughout his career.
Alongside fellow greats Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran, Hagler was a member of the Four Kings, with the iconic quartet all involved in memorable battles against one another throughout the 1980s.
Arguably the most famous battle that Hagler endured was his three round epic against Hearns, with ‘Marvelous’ claiming the stoppage win, before he then called time on his professional career two years later after a controversial split decision defeat to Leonard.
Neither Hearns or Leonard were chosen though when Hagler was once asked by The Ring for the best fighter between his ‘Four Kings’ rivals, instead opting for the other remaining member.
“Duran; I would say Roberto Duran was very experienced.”
Hagler fought Duran in November 1983, claiming a narrow unanimous decision win to retain his undisputed middleweight crown after a back and forth 15 round battle.
The Panamanian’s ability to compete at 160lbs was a testament to the ability that Hagler refers to, with Duran having first claimed world honours at lightweight, before further world title reigns at welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight.
Duran was the only member of the Four Kings who was able to defeat Leonard, and ended his career with over 100 victories to his name, leading to his Hall of Fame induction in 2007.
