A new name rose to the top with his 26th career win on this date in 1979.
Sugar Ray Leonard’s iconic wars with the likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Marvin Hagler helped define his legacy.
The North Carolina native was the only one of the ‘four kings’ to beat the other three men, but they certainly weren’t the only competitors that he faced in pivotal matchups.
While Leonard’s final knockout win saw him win the inaugural WBC super middleweight title, the best years of his career were spent at the weight class below.
In less than 10 years, he won his first World title after he defeated a world-record-breaking opponent in the final moments of their match.
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Who’s your favorite of boxing’s legendary ‘four kings’?
Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1)
Marvin Hagler (62-3-2)
Roberto Duran (103-16)
Thomas Hearns (61-5-1)
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Sugar Ray Leonard has dethroned Wilfred Benjamin with a stoppage at the end of the 15th round
Sugar Ray Leonard competed for his first World Title at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, on November 30th 1979.
The Olympic gold medalist had quickly become one of boxing’s top stars, producing a perfect pro record of 25-0 heading into his bout for the WBC and The Ring welterweight titles.
In the opposite corner, a man was standing who had been predicted to be a big star from earliest days in his career.
Wilfred Benitez still holds the record as boxing’s youngest-ever champion, having won the WBA super lightweight title in 1976 when…
2025-12-01 01:00:00
