BoxRec

How do you see the four kings of the 80s stacking up aganist someone of the best fighters of the last 10-15 years.

Roberto Duran
v Juan Manuel Marquez at Lightweight
v Sugar Shane Mosley at Lightweight
v Floyd Mayweather at Welterweight
v Manny Pacquiao at Welterweight
v Miguel Cotto at Welterweight

Thomas Hearns
v Paul Williams at Welterweight
v Mayweather at Welterweight
v Kelly Pavlik at Middleweight
v Martinez at Light-Middleweight and Middleweight
v Roy Jones at Light Heavyweight
v Glencoffe Johnson at Light-Heavyweight

Marvin Hagler
v Pavlik
v Sergio Martinez
v Roy Jones Jnr
v Bernard Hopkins

Sugar Ray Leonard
v Pacquiao at Welterweight
v Cotto at Welterweight
v Mayweather at Welterweight or Light-Middleweight

Any others feel free to add.

Floyd might beat Duran at welterweight, and Jones vs Hearns at light heavy, other than that the old timers clear up imo

The Four Kings win every one besides Hearns-Jones Jr at 175, although I can see Hearns-Martinez at 160 as a pretty interesting fight. A peak Duran would've spanked Floyd.

Some matches would be more competitive than others, but the only one the Kings lose is Hearns taking on Jones at LHW.

Agreed with the consensus, though I might take Johnson over Hearns too.

A lot of matchups missing:

Any at MW vs:
Hopkins
Martinez
Pavlik
Jones
Toney

Any of them (save Hagler I guess) at SMW vs:
Calzaghe
Jones
Ward
Toney

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Agreed with the consensus, though I might take Johnson over Hearns too.

Explain what you see happening there........

Glen has a high work rate and a granite chin, very accurate with his right hand and he closes the distance well. His stamina has failed him lately, but it was once a strength. That's a very difficult fight for Hearns.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Glen has a high work rate and a granite chin, very accurate with his right hand and he closes the distance well. His stamina has failed him lately, but it was once a strength. That's a very difficult fight for Hearns.

Yes, but I think Johnson has benefitted from a rather weak era at 175. I don't see Hearns not being able to do what Dawson or Tarver did in their rematches with Johnson . . box and use their range to boring decisions. But Glen could surprise.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Glen has a high work rate and a granite chin, very accurate with his right hand and he closes the distance well. His stamina has failed him lately, but it was once a strength. That's a very difficult fight for Hearns.

Thanks for that.

The way I see it though, Dennis Andries was another tough fighter of carribean stock with those very same attributes, a granite chin, high work rate,and a pressure fighter...brutally strong... Tommy whacked him all over the place shattering his myth of durability....and Andries went on to beat Tony Willis, Bobby Cyyz, Jeff Harding and others and win the WBC title two more times.

We all have our opinions and are entitled to them thats what makes a forum a good place. I just see Tommy doing a number on Johnson..outboxing him and hurting him too.Hearns had a knack for the spectacular.... I cant see Johnson coming close to matching the intensity and work rate of Iran Barkley when they fought in 92.... and Tommy lost a razor thin decision there,fighting with one hand for 10 rounds and with a brutally busted beak.

Hagler-Hopkins is the hardest to call, followed by Hearns-Jones and finally Duran-Mayweather.

I'd still go with the 80s fighter except perhaps I think Hopkins style might just beat Hagler. Martinez would also be a tough fight.

mugabi wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Glen has a high work rate and a granite chin, very accurate with his right hand and he closes the distance well. His stamina has failed him lately, but it was once a strength. That's a very difficult fight for Hearns.

Thanks for that.

The way I see it though, Dennis Andries was another tough fighter of carribean stock with those very same attributes, a granite chin, high work rate,and a pressure fighter...brutally strong... Tommy whacked him all over the place shattering his myth of durability....and Andries went on to beat Tony Willis, Bobby Cyyz, Jeff Harding and others and win the WBC title two more times.

We all have our opinions and are entitled to them thats what makes a forum a good place. I just see Tommy doing a number on Johnson..outboxing him and hurting him too.Hearns had a knack for the spectacular.... I cant see Johnson coming close to matching the intensity and work rate of Iran Barkley when they fought in 92.... and Tommy lost a razor thin decision there,fighting with one hand for 10 rounds and with a brutally busted beak.

Andries was much slower and not nearly as accurate.