Sugar Ray Leonard has picked Joe Calzaghe as the one fighter who could have held his own in boxing's legendary 'Four Kings' era. The former five-weight world champion shared his thoughts on fighters who might have competed during that golden age of the sport.
Leonard's career spanned from 1977 to 1997. He won world titles across five weight classes and was part of the 'Four Kings' - a group that included Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran. Leonard stands out as the only fighter to have beaten all three of his fellow 'Kings'.
The 'Four Kings' era, set in the 1980s, is often called one of boxing's greatest. These four fighters faced each other in a series of epic battles that defined the decade in boxing.
One of Leonard's most memorable victories came against Roberto Duran in 1980. In their rematch, Leonard forced Duran to quit during the eighth round, a moment that went down in boxing history.
When asked about fighters who could have competed in that era, Leonard singled out Joe Calzaghe. He said:
"He would have held his own against all the greats I fought, like Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. And he would hold his own with the others like Bernard Hopkins. He has the talent and heart and will be the undisputed champion."
Calzaghe, the Welsh fighter, had an impressive career. He remained unbeaten throughout his professional run, became the unified super-middleweight champion, and then moved up to light-heavyweight. His legacy-defining victories over Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr cemented his status as one of the greatest British fighters of all time.
Interestingly, when asked about Floyd Mayweather Jr, often considered by fans and critics as someone who could have competed in the 'Four Kings' era, Leonard had a different opinion:
"Could he beat me? No. Could he beat Tommy? I don't think so. Could he beat Hagler? No. Could he beat Duran? No."
Leonard's high praise for Calzaghe and his dismissal of Mayweather's chances against the 'Four Kings' offer a unique perspective on boxing's generational talents. His words carry weight, coming from a man who was at the heart of one of boxing's most thrilling eras.
