Detroit boxing legend Thomas Hearns has reflected on his fights with his fellow Four Kings and named which contest inflicted the most damage on him.
Hearns made history when he became boxing’s first five-division world champion, but the ‘Motor City Cobra’ is praised for his iconic showdowns against Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler, as much as his personal accolades.
In four fights against his fellow kings, Hearns achieved a record of 1-2-1, halting Duran but being stopped by Leonard and Hagler, before a controversial draw in his rematch with Leonard back in 1989.
Speaking with Marko Boxing, Hearns admitted that Leonard inflicted more damage on him than Hagler or Duran did.
“[Who gave me] the most trouble? I really didn’t have too much trouble with anybody but the biggest fight was probably the fight with me and Ray. Me and Ray had the biggest fight and we showed them.
“We did the most damage in the fight with me and Ray, than we did with anybody else.”
However, despite sharing 26 rounds with Leonard, Hearns admitted that Hagler gave him the best fight, regardless of the fact that their legendary tear-up lasted only three rounds.
“I have to give my dues to Marvin Hagler. Marvin Hagler gave me a great fight, I have to give him his credit. He gave me the best fight out of all the guys that I fought.”
Hearns continued to fight up until 2006, marking a near 30-year professional career that spanned between welterweight and cruiserweight, before retiring with a record of 61-5-1.
