The first 10/10 attribute in this rank goes to Bleacher Report’s fifth-best defensive fighter in the sport’s history. Leonard had everything in this department, foot feints, timing, punch awareness. The Kings’ is not accessible on Netflix as of now. However, we recommend our readers watch ‘ Counterpunch‘ or ‘ FightWorld.’ Is The Kings on Hulu? One of the very best boxing books I've ever read. Superbly written and riveting. The four boxers portrayed here were some of my favourites of all time. Everyone a true warrior FOUR KINGS: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing” was published, to widespread acclaim, by Mainstrean Press in the United Kingdom and by McBooks Press in the United States, and immediately became the best-selling boxing book in both countries.

Poll: Who was the greatest of boxing’s legendary “Four Kings

I’m not going to bore you with running down all their career achievements for you to compare, because most likely you know their achievements, you’ve probably had this exact conversation before, either online or in real, actual life. Arguably the best performance anywhere on this list. Duran had taken Hagler to the limit over 15 rounds in his last fight. But Hearns would put himself in Marvin’s sights by shattering their shared rival in two brutal rounds. An astonishingly dominant display from the Kronk gym mainstay. Hearns was skinny, worked hard, and was grateful to be able to participate at out-of-town trips Kronk Recreation Center's Emmanuel Stewart arranged for. Leonard, who among boxers was described as having "choirboy"-looks really sang in a church choir before he started boxing.Some deem this to be the Wilmington native’s best attribute but also believe it to be ‘Marvelous’ Marvin’s worst. Those people include me. Although he could get off short hooks on the inside or ranged jabs on the outside, Hagler never had the speed to go with these punches. Hearns did though as did Duran which made them a couple of the best offensive fighters in the sport’s history. The book's highlights lie in the nuanced insights gleaned from conversations with key figures in the fighters' lives. For instance, Kimball shares fascinating details about Hagler's rise to prominence through his interactions with trainers Goody and Pat Petronelli, shedding light on the motivations and bonds that drove Hagler throughout his career. Kimball's portrayal of Hagler's frustration and the subsequent controversial decision in his fight against Leonard underscores the fighter's unwavering commitment and business acumen, solidifying his status as a legend in boxing. Pete Hamill, American journalist and novelist, writes in his Foreword to George Kimball's book "This book is about the last Golden Age of boxing. That is, it is about a time when the matches themselves transcended the squalor of the business side of the sport, and focused only on the men who fought."

Four Kings” - Leonard - Boxing Archives Ranking “The Four Kings” - Leonard - Boxing Archives

An underrated battle that has long lived in the shadow of their stunning first encounter. Both men were older and wiser, but when the fists flew you were reminded of their youth. An unsatisfying ending hasn’t helped this fight’s standing, with a split draw being declared. There would be no third fight to settle the score. The early 1980s marked the beginning of an uncertain era in the boxing world. One of the legends of the sports, Muhammed Ali, retired, and it was time for someones else to step up. Four young men – Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns embrace the opportunity and begin climbing the ladder of success in the boxing world to be crowned as the new king. Their dream comes true, and the boxing world finds not one but “The Four Kings.” In boxing, it is said that styles make fights. From 1980 through 1989, it was the style of four great fighters that not only made legendary fights, it ushered in a boxing renaissance. The fierce rivalry between world champions and future Hall of Famers known as the “Four Kings”– Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard – produced a Golden Age defined by the nine world championship fights between them and solidified their place among the greatest to ever live. Regarding Ray Leonard, Kimball navigates through the events and portrayal of the boxer, highlighting both his successes and shortcomings. From Leonard's rise after the 1976 Olympics to the controversies surrounding the "No Mas" decision, readers gain insight into the glittering veneer that often surrounded Leonard, shielding some of his flaws inside and outside the ring. He gave me a better fight than all the boxers did in the last 10 years’: Fury reflects on win over NgannouBy James Slater: It was a golden era of boxing the likes of which may never be seen again. From 1980 – beginning with Roberto Duran’s sensational points win over “Sugar” Ray Leonard and, perhaps fittingly, ending with Leonard’s rubber-match of a points win over “Hands of Stone” in 1989 – to the very end of the decade, four men fought from welterweight up to super-middleweight, giving their all and giving the entire world a thrill. Sugar Ray Leonard had Angelo Dundee for a trainer – the same man who trained Muhammad Ali, and you could see it in his boxing. Among the Four Kings, he was probably the most charismatic. He also had blinding hand speed as well as impeccable footwork. A four-part documentary series based on George Kimball’s best-selling book Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing. Hands of Stone’ had proven himself to be the best lightweight to ever do it, but in the summer of 1980 he was considered a huge underdog. Sugar Ray had been flawless since turning pro, going unbeaten in 27 fights. Duran tore up the form-book, entering the performance of his career. One of the greatest pressure-fighting displays of all-time, Leonard had no answer for the Panamanian.

Watch The Kings Showtime Documentary Online Free How to Watch The Kings Showtime Documentary Online Free

It is worth noting the pair who scored 8 were so defensively sound that it was a rarity they were caught flush with a shot thus had their chin tested. Duran’s chin does not get downgraded with his KO loss to Hearns as that was the hardest right hand which would even threaten the consciousness of the most durable of pugilists. Great insight on each of these 9 super fights. Stories from each of the fighters, trainers and promoters from the 70s and 80s. The last factor is one most use to separate the four, however, it deserves more detail than looking at the records and realising Leonard beat everyone. Indeed he did thus earns 3/5 points and not top marks due to his first fight against one ‘fab four’ member resulting in a loss at the hands of Duran as well as an unconvincing win against Hagler that people still dispute the result of to this day. Thanks to being a game champion and carving out one of the closest fights in boxing, Hagler scores 2 points here as the fight, and win against Hearns is the best out of the nine fights the group had and arguably the best in boxing. The other two greats dismally score 1 point apiece as they only had 1 yet emphatic win during this competitive time. We also had some awfully sad news in boxing over the weekend, as the truly legendary, truly great Marvelous Marvin Hagler died at the age of 66.These four men defined an era in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Showtime Sports, in a statement. “Their individual stories, forever linked by the spectacular battles they waged, reflect a tumultuous period in American culture and history. THE KINGS takes the viewer beyond the glorious action of some of history’s most memorable prizefights to illuminate each man’s dramatic journey and the societal context that made them stars of sports and popular culture.” Being too young to enjoy the four kings in their pomp, this book offered me the insight into their greatness that I missed out on myself. The four-party documentary examines the four fighters’ different and dynamic fighting styles, their ascent to the top of the sport, and their legendary matches. Offering a straight up rake on the kings, it provides a historic account of what took place and how this era enfolded.

Kings - Apple TV The Kings - Apple TV

In a way it is a neat thing that this book was written now. I read it close to my computer and watched some of the fights again on Youtube. I was hoping for a lot more detail on the fighters and their lives in and out of the ring. Unfortunately, there were equal amounts of boring minutiae and actual writing about the fighters.

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Roberto Duran is the toughest of the Four Kings, and arguably the fighter with the most heart. He was as macho as they come and could hit like an ox. He was called the Hands of Stone – and rightfully so.