I put a similar thread to this on the British Forum last week... Check it out, some quality responses that bring interesting debate...:yep
I made a thread on this subject quiet a while back before my old account was cancelled it basically was a question that asked if Pac and Mayweather faced the four what would be the results of the eight fights and the almost unanimous response was that neither could beat Leonard. This confirmed for me the opinion i already had that Leonard was the greatest of the four
Ray Leonard has the best boxing skills and talent and he is the only one of the four to beat the other three.
What did Hagler achieve that Duran didn't? Duran did at lightweight what Hagler did at middle and THEN went on to win titles at 147, 154 and 160.
As much as it pains me to say it, as Hagler is my grandfather's and my personal favorite boxer off all time, it is SRL. Look at his record between the 2nd and 3rd Duran fight.
Duran tops them out in my opinion, his overall skill and legacy is incredible. However a case can be made for the other three it was an amazing era.
Duran was a greater fighter but Leanord had gretaer physical gifts and Heanr had greater physical gifts as far as boxing skill pure and simple Duran had greater boxing skill. Which is why Camacho blew an old out Leanord yet an old Duran survived Camacho. without the otherwordly reflexes and speed leanord didnt have the Boxing skill of a Duran to fall back on.
Hearns took duran out early, round 2, had leonard beat in fight 1 before getting ko, definetely beat him in fight 2, called a draw, had hagler on the run and lost round 3 fight of decade. Duran whipped leonard fight 1 before no mas fight 2, should have had decision against hagler at middleweight, at very worst should have had a draw, i like duran for longevity and bravery 2 fight all comers. At lightweight totally unbeatable, apart from esteban dejesus once. MANOS DE PIEDRA for me HANDS OF STONE best of fab 4.