Mayweather's career includes wins over some of the best in the business. He outclassed Shane Mosley, Diego Corrales, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao. His defensive mastery earned him the nickname 'Money' Mayweather and made him one of the most successful boxers of all time.
But how would Mayweather have fared against the legendary Four Kings of the 1980s? Opinions differ. Roy Jones Jr. thinks Mayweather would've struggled in that era. Thomas Hearns, one of the Four Kings himself, sees it differently.
In an interview with Ring Magazine, Hearns gave Mayweather his props:
"I think that he would do pretty good [against the Four Kings]. He's got good head movement, and I can't [pin] him down. I have to give him his props. He could last."
Hearns described Mayweather as a brilliant fighter with good feints and punches. He acknowledged Mayweather's skills and believed he could compete well against the Four Kings - Hearns, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, and Sugar Ray Leonard.
But Hearns didn't shy away from talking about his own toughness. He added:
"But you know anybody who was in my weight division, you know, I would give them hell. They would have to be really fighting hard and be ready to absorb a lot of punches to beat me. Because, you know, I ain't going to let anybody just come in and beat me."
Not everyone from that era shares Hearns' high opinion of Mayweather's chances. Roberto Duran, another member of the Four Kings, doesn't think Mayweather would've fared as well in their time.
We'll never know for sure how Mayweather would've done against the Four Kings. But one thing's certain - the debate will continue to fuel boxing conversations for years to come.