Would you rather be Tommy Hearns and lose your biggest fights? But become a boxing immortal and God of the sport because of the willingness to fight anybody, anywhere and give it everything you have? Or be Mayweather or Calzaghe? To carefully manage your career and prioritize risk and reward? Tough question. Tommy Hearns is slurring those words and has some losses, but again. Boxing God.
Last I checked he won some big fights when he beat Pipino Cuevas, Roberto Duran, Wilfred Benitez. To answer the question I would rather have a career where I took risks, perhaps taken some losses along the way, but still be highly respected for taking on all comers without ducking. As long as the health is still intact and more than enough money is in the bank.
I'm pretty sure Duran and Benitez counts as big legacy fights. Financially speaking Leonard and Hagler were his biggest fights. He did have that controversial draw against Leonard in the rematch where almost everyone agrees that he deserved that decision.
I'd want the glory. Imagine being Tommy Hearns, Eirk Morales, Roberto Duran, Oleksandr Usyk. Money can't buy that.
I’m not that big of a Mayweather fan but it’s pretty easy Mayweather, he’s the richest boxer of all time, took minimal damage over his career and seem to be pretty sharp/healthy still. Boxing god or not, Hearns himself would switch career with Mayweather if he could. Nothing god like with slurring your words. Saying that, Hearns is a boxing god!
Same thing with health, I bet he regret some of his wars now. I agree from a fan perspective but all boxers/fighters want to retire with their health intact, unfortunately few does, especially those with a lot of fan friendly wars.
As a fan I like Hearns more. But as a career I would choose Mayweathers. Made lots of money., took very little punishment, reached ATG status, retired undefeated wealthy and healthy. It's a no Brainer for me.