Four Kings: The intoxicating and captivating tale of four men who changed the face of boxing from award-winning sports writer George Kimball

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Boxing certainly has benefited most in history when it had a strong cast of heavyweights (Ali, Tyson, etc) but some of its greatest fights happened at the weight class right below. The four men in this book put on not just fights but epic battles which will stand the test of time. Chris Eubank said: “The Boxing Royalty. In the world of boxing, I’ve been called a champion, but for me, it goes beyond that—I am a king. Christopher Livingston Eubank, a name that echoes through the annals of the sport, isn’t just about winning in the ring; it’s about being a true King, both inside and outside of the squared circle.

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 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.

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

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. world titles among them in about 4 to 5 different weight classes. These rivals fought each other 9 times.

What is The Kings About?

Following a brief fallow period in the wake of Ali’s retirement, boxing was revitalized when Leonard became a world champion in 1979 and waged his first battle with Durán in 1980. From that point, the Four Kings engaged in a decade-long run of riveting fights that far outperformed any other sport in attention and revenue. They were the most popular stars of sports and American culture. To determine the rank of each pugilist and edge our opinion into the discussion, the total score of each pugilist tells you how we see the list from best to worst out of the fabulous four.