Terence Crawford on Facing Any of The ‘Four Kings’: ‘I Would Fight Any of Them’

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Joshua Ben Joseph | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 6:42 PM ET

Hall of Famers, Marvin Hagler (62-3-2, 52 KOs), Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), Thomas Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs) and Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) ruled the boxing world in the late 1970s and 1980s, dominating multiple weight classes and earning their pantheon a name, ‘Four Kings’. However, according to Terence Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), if he were a part of that era, he would have undoubtedly dominated the ‘Four Kings.’

Talking to the Ring Magazine, Crawford shed light on why he thought that he’d efficiently give the four kings a run for their money.

“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,” he said. “I’m all of that in one. I would fight any of them, just pick one of them.”

Crawford is an extremely versatile fighter, asserting his dominance and résumé across multiple weight classes. A rare switch-hitter, he is often seen seamlessly fighting both orthodox and southpaw at an elite level, which the Four Kings were not consistently able to do.

Additionally, his relatively few close or controversial fights, compared to the wars the Four Kings endured, strengthen his argument that he’s not just great but more consistently dominant.

Now retired, Crawford feels content at being one of those exemplary fighters that emerging talents could look up to.

“It feels great to be one of the pioneers who paved the way for younger and up-and-coming fighters,” he said.

‘A Bittersweet Moment”

While he certainly misses his professional tangos inside the ring, Crawford said he was thankful to have had the opportunity and not to have to put his body through the physical and mental stress again.

“It was a sigh of relief retiring, but it was a bittersweet moment. It was like, dang, this is my first love, and it’s all coming to an end right here. I am happy that I got to the pinnacle of boxing and that I don’t have to go through the things I went through anymore. I was sad that I had to give up something that I loved so much,” he said.

This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.

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