Who was the most exciting fighter out of the Fab 4: Leonard, Duran, Hearns, or Hagler?

I'd say Hearns as well. Explosive power and a shaky chin. His fights kept you on the edge of your seat more than the others I'd say. All of them were must-see TV though...

 

Mayweather would beat records set by Usain Bolt with how quickly he'd run from Hearns.

 

Still Hearns for me.

 

I don't think I could separate them in that sense.

These guys blazed a trail that captured everyone's attention; no matter which one (or two) of them was in the ring.

 

I would call it a three way tie between Duran, Hagler and Hearns.

 

Recent address has caused me to review several Leonard fights in HLs, including pre-title.

I personally find Leonard’s style, speed and power very exciting.

However, I can see how some might rate Hearns’ higher - particularly for Tommy’s power.

Ultimately, I’d give Ray the nod but rating he and Tommy as equally entertaining - of course, I would have no issue with.

 

The beauty of it is all of these guys were great to watch in their own right.

Hearns will win most votes, including mine, as he had that incredible power, great speed and a bit of vulnerability to go with it. One punch KO power goes a long way when it comes to viewer satisfaction. He was also inclined to go to war tho he's one of the best boxers you will ever see, in that mode.

When Hearns was in the zone, i.e. Cuevas, Duran, Schuler etc he looked like some sort of freak made in a laboratory..........to fight.

 

Sure, extreme power rates with a lot of people.

Though Hearns already inflicted damage prior to, that single right hand sleeper on Duran is still as gob smacking as the first time I saw it.

The Hearns vs Roldan punch out was very good also. Tommy rocked only to come back and lay out rugged Roldan with a single punch

While Ray of course didn’t have Hearns’ power he had very noteworthy power all the same - targeting both head and body.

The single left hook on Dave Boy Green is almost as good as any single punch KO KO gets.

Ray 1st round KO over Andy The Hawk Price was also one for the HLs reel.

Interesting that, H2H, Ray turned tenacious slugger and Tommy boxer (a style Hearns was more known for in his AM days) in their classic ATG match.

I also found Rays protracted fighting off the ropes vs Duran over 15 rounds extremely compelling and exciting viewing. Sort of like a mini Ali- Frazier, to and fro, see saw dynamic.

 

They were all just so well rounded and multi faceted weren't they. Of course Duran and Hagler also had extremely impressive displays of power as well.

We were truly blessed.

 

It was too exciting an era, they were all thrilling imo.

 

Between all of them, so many hook fights and hook moments within those fights.

I was probably most cognisant of boxing by the 80s - the first instalment of Duran’s legend was already in place and well earned - so we were lucky to have that crazy little guy keep fighting on the way he did.

The several rebirthings of himself were nothing short of amazing.

Aside from the first Leonard fight, there was also Hagler and Barkley.

What business did a past prime, natural LW, with a very long career behind him, have getting in the ring against elite, bigger guys and performing as he did?

Yes, we were very lucky.

 

I’d have to go along with the ones saying Hearns was most exciting.

Leonard and Duran were pretty close on the excitement meter but Duran sleep-walked through a few too many fights so I’d give Leonard a narrow edge.

I have great appreciation for Hagler but he was more workmanlike (as someone else said) and methodical than exciting to me.

 

Any of the "5" ( I always include Benitez, who is generally overlooked) are extremely re watchable in most of their fights.
But Hearns gets the nod from me for most exciting.
From the destruction of Cuevas, to his master jab class given to Virgil Hill years later when he was well past his prime, and showing wear and tear yet somehow able to beat the younger, naturally bigger Lt.heavy champ and won the championship from him.
Hearns was the most exciting of the five, and really the most accomplished if were being honest.

 

Close .. But it's Hagler for me , denied for so long and the anticipation and work he put in ,, you knew it was going to be a war everytime ... Hes definitely the toughest for me , others were popular ,, he wasn't .... but yeah cant go wrong with any of them for excitement

 

In terms of excitement, has to be Hearns. Something always happened when he boxed.