Roberto Duran, one of boxing's legendary 'Four Kings', says Marvin Hagler had the toughest chin among his former rivals. The Panamanian fighter, known as 'Hands of Stone', shared his thoughts in a recent interview with The Ring Magazine.
Duran's career crossed paths with some of the greatest boxers of the 1980s. He, along with Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler, made up the 'Four Kings'. These fighters rose to superstardom during this era and each fought the others at least once.
In June 1980, Duran beat Sugar Ray Leonard to win the WBC welterweight title. But just months later, in their rematch, Duran famously quit during the eighth round. This fight got the nickname 'No Mas'.
Duran faced Hagler in November 1983 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. They fought for the undisputed world middleweight championship. Hagler won by unanimous decision.
Talking about that fight, Duran said:
"I hit Hagler with a lot of punches and he just kept coming. I didn't find him as skilful as some of the opponents I faced but he was the toughest."
Hagler, known as 'Marvelous', went on to defend his title successfully against Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi. These fights cemented his reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the sport.
Hagler's last fight was a loss to Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987. He officially announced his retirement in the summer of 1988, ending an era that saw some of boxing's greatest rivalries.
Duran's words highlight the respect these fighters had for each other, even years after their battles in the ring. His praise for Hagler's chin shows the lasting impact these encounters had on the fighters involved.
