If such a thing is possible without being unfair, rank the Fab Four (Hagler, Leonard Hearns and Duran) one to four as you see fit. Is it unfair to be so broad about it? Do they simply have to be ranked according to their prime weight classes? Duran as a lightweight. Leonard as a welter. Hearn's as a junior middleweight. Hagler as a middleweight. It's funny how Hearn's is often perhaps the most unfairly looked at of the Fab Four and yet a case could potentially be made for him being at the top of that group. An example of what I'm looking for here... None of the Fab Four moved as far up in weight nor won as many titles as Hearn's would over the course of his career. Hearn's has the most conclusive, devestating win over another member of the Fab Four in his destruction of Roberto Duran.
Sugar Ray Leonard was the most talented and versatile of all of them in my opinion. The only member to defeat all other members of the fab four. Marvin Hagler is just behind leonard as he had a really long reign at middleweight, and saw off Duran and Hearns, the latter by knockout. Thomas Hearns is an unfortunate case. He could well have defeated Leonard in their first bout, but he was unable to see it through the end. I only count his loss to Hagler and Leonard, otherwise he won the title in brutal fashion and brutally stopped Duran. The only fighter ever to do so to a Duran that wasn't 100% shot. He also outboxed Benitez. Duran comes at the bottom of the pile in terms of fab four era. He was beaten by all three, and was never what he was at lightweight. In a P4P sense, Duran tops them all though.
1 Roberto Duran - Dominated lightweight, then went up and was competitive against the bigger greats, and beat some good ones at 154 and 160, years past his prime. 2 Marvin Hagler - Dominated middlewight for years. Beat Duran, beat Hearns, arguably deserved the Win over Leonard. Never knocked out, never knocked down. 3 (tied) Sugar Ray Leonard - Beat all the others on this list, in mega-fights. Never hung around to dominate any division though, and took long breaks and retirements. 3 (tied) Thomas Hearns - lost the two mega-fights against Leonard and Hagler. Crushed Cuevas, outboxed Benitez, destroyed Duran. Never dominated a division, or grabbed the linear or undisputed title in any. A freak of nature, a supreme talent, he was dangerous and special fighter from 147 to 175.
Reall tough pick between Leonard and Duran for number one at their prime weights ... Duran at lightweight Leonard at welter Hagler at middle Hearns at jr. middle If Hearns stayed at Jr. Middle for a few more years instead of jumping up to middle and light heavy, he would be rated higher as an all time great ... Tommy was an exceptionally exciting fighter but the chin could scare you as much as his power ...
If it's between Leonard, Duran, Hagler, hearns then Leonard has to be placed last. Too many negatives and not enough fights, too many cop outs, facing Duran, Hearns, Lalonde instead of Nunn, Jackson, McCallum. Then ther was that disaster with Norris and farce with Hagler. I was just watching Hagler v. Norberto Cabrera, a vicious bomber, yesterday and it never ceases to amaze me what an outstanding fighter he was as if he were born to fight more than any other man. Cabrera hurt Hagler I believe but Marvin just got himself together and went back on the attack as tho nothing happened. Hagler and Jones definitely up there with Robinson, Pep, Greb, Ketchel and the like. Duran would be second, most of his true abilities displayed by the age of 28. Not nearly as effective at higher weights. His lack of discipline and partying often led to many lackluster performances and unnecessary defeats. Tommy Hearns who had the nerve to step in with a near prime Hagler was a near perfect fighter. Easily outboxed Ray Leonard until his lack of muscle and stamina caught up with him. Much stronger at higher weights and harder hitting. Ask Roberto Duran and James Shuler.
1. Duran - Lightweight 2. Leonard 3. Hagler - Middleweight 4. Hearns - Welterweight This is razor thin in my opinion and I couldn't really argue with any order. That's why it's such a legendary series of fights (you could throw in Benitez too, but he'd definitely be 5).
Leonard wa sthe most talented of them all but i rate him last because of his inactivity and short prime Here is my list: Duran Hearns Hagler Leonard The reason I rate Hearns above Hagler and leonard is Tommy was a legitimate champion in 5 weight classes and had a strong claim to be the best at all these classes. He was a great force at eevry weight Duran is number 1 because he was a dominant champion in a greatly strong weight class and proved a force to be reckoned with as high as middleweight. he also beat a prime SRL
if you discount the wbo title. i know he wasn't the linear but he was a genuine champ in every division.
Head to head in their own group 1. SRL 2. Hagler 3. Hearns 4. Duran Overall P4P 1. Duran 2. SRL 3. Hearns 4. Hagler