“10: Marvin Hagler. 9: George Foreman. 8: Floyd Mayweather. 7: Mike Tyson. 6: Sugar Ray Leonard. 5: Wilfred Benitez. 4: Roberto Duran.”
“In the number three spot, Thomas Hearns.”
“2: Joe Frazier.”
“1: Muhammad Ali.”
Hearns placing himself at #3 immediately stands out because Leonard stopped him in their 1981 welterweight unification fight during the peak years of the “Four Kings” era. Leonard still made the list, but Hearns ranked him only sixth overall behind names like Joe Frazier, Roberto Durán, and Wilfred Benítez.
The list also sparked debate because of the names left out entirely.
Robinson is still viewed by many historians as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in boxing history after fighting more than 200 times across multiple eras. Armstrong’s accomplishments remain almost unmatched historically after simultaneously holding titles at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight during the one-champion era.
Modern fans will also notice the absence of Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao. Crawford recently argued that his victory over Canelo Alvarez placed him among boxing’s all-time elite and worthy of a place on the sport’s “Mount Rushmore.”
Hearns’ rankings appeared to reflect personal respect and fighter mentality as much as pure accomplishment, particularly with Frazier placed at #2 and Leonard outside the top five despite their head-to-head history. Many fans also questioned Hearns placing Joe Frazier ahead of Sugar Ray Robinson.”