Duran has more top class wins than anyone. But Ali beat Liston (1st one), Frazier and Foreman. And none of them were left to the judges.
Gene Tunney has Greb, Dempsey & Loughran. Harry Greb has Tunney, Walker & Loughran. Jimmy McLarnin has Canzoneri, Corbett & Ross. Young Corbett III has Conn, Walker & Lesnevich .. which for a 5'5 WW is pretty astonishing. I prefer those wins. Down to personal preference. If you prefer Leonards thats fine too.
I wasnt alive when the fights happened and that era of boxing was drastically different from today's boxing, not just the round changes. From what I've read most say Hagler *should* have won but that it also wasnt a robbery. Made me kind of think of Bivol Beterbiev fights. Legitimate cases can be made for either guy but most people had Bivol in fight #1 (including myself). Ive always held SRL in highest regard but I dont truly know how good he was. I didnt see all his fights like I did w Floyd, Cotto, Manny, Margs, Canelo, Inoue, Bud, Usyk, etc.
Good list Boxing is more than 25 years old. Some of these guys are real legends I'm surprised with Ali not being on the list, maybe Duran and Leonard too Floyd and manny both made it. They (Floyd especially) get shat on a lot, but their resumes are stacked
I'd say Hagler's 3 wins are better: Duran, Hearns and "Leonard"....... and I'd add an undefeated John Mugabi for good measure
You can say he has wins over arguably the best lightweight ever ( Duran) arguably the best Jr Welter ever ( Benitez) arguably the best Jr Middle ever (Hearns) arguably the best Middleweight ever ( Hagler). He didn't beat all of them at those weights ( only Hagler) still amazing wins all of them.
An argument can be made for this, but as others have demonstrated there are several other candidates for whom arguments can also be made.
Nope, had a reach advantage over Duran, was losing to Hearns who was a great weight bully and lost to Hagler.
No, Duran was a lightweight taking on a big welter who was one of the most dangerous fighters of that era and went toe to toe, Duran got hit far less in that fight than Frazier did vs Ali, it was a beter technical display by Duran.