Terence Crawford has opened up on comparisons between himself and the iconic ‘Four Kings’ consisting of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.
Back in the 1980s, the aforementioned quartet were all involved in epic fights with one another, with boxing fans regularly debating who they deem to be the best of the four legends.
Just over 30 years later, Crawford became a legend in his own right, claiming world titles in multiple divisions before retiring from the sport back in December following his victory over Canelo Alvarez.
Having now begun to settle into life after boxing, Crawford has been reflecting on his own career whilst speaking to The Ring, and was asked how he believes he shaped up compared to each of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran.
“To be honest, I had a little bit of all of them. I wouldn’t say I only had one of their styles because I do so much in the ring.
“Like Marvin Hagler, I’m a southpaw. Like Sugar Ray Leonard, I can box on my toes. Like Roberto Duran, I can roll with the punches, catch, shoot, and throw from underneath. With Tommy Hearns, I can fight from the outside with a good, sharp jab.
I’m all of that in one. … [I would fight] any of them – just pick one of them.”
Some boxing fans believe that Crawford will go down as one of the greatest of all time following his epic career, and Four Kings member Leonard once revealed who he gives that esteemed honour to.