Floyd Mayweather Jr has revealed who he thinks is the best of the legendary “Four Kings” who took boxing by storm in the 1980s.
Mayweather knows exactly what it’s like to be the biggest name in sports. For much of the 2000s and 2010s, he was the number one earner per pound, becoming a pay-per-view megastar and a box office megastar in the process.
Before Mayweather’s rise to the top, there were four other boxing icons who were rightly considered among the best around: and these are “Four Kings” which included Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.
The four fighters fought each other in iconic battles, and there was often debate among boxing fans as to who was the best of the four.
Mayweather listed who he’s giving the honor to, telling the Fat Joe Podcast that he thinks Duran is the one who ranks above Leonard, Hearns and Duran.
“I’m coming, Roberto Duran…Duran was arguably the best lightweight fighter in history and became one of the ‘four kings’ of welterweight and middleweight.”
Duran was a world champion in four weight classes, winning gold at lightweight, welterweight, featherlight middleweight and middleweight, while also becoming undisputed during his tenure at 135 pounds.
His illustrious career spanned more than 30 years, starting in 1968 and ending in 2001, with Duran’s last record standing at 103 wins in 119 fights, so it’s understandable why Mayweather considers the Panamanian superstar to be the best.
Peter Fury believes that Tyson Fury should face a significant test if he decides to fight one more time before his planned clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury returned to the ring earlier this year after spending all of 2025 in retirement. He outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April, and a long-awaited clash with Joshua is expected later this year.
As some fans questioned whether Fury should fight another fight before facing Joshua, Peter Fury said there would be little value in a gentle touch.
“Well, definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back, because a walk in the park won’t get you anywhere,” Peter Fury said in an interview with SPORT Boxing, discussing Tyson’s potential fleeting opponent.
“The only thing that’s going to come out of this is me walking around the ring and saying well, I’ve got to get in the ring again, that’s all.”
Peter didn’t mention any specific names, but he made it clear that he believes any opponent should be able to hold their own and force Fury to be on his guard for the fight with Joshua.
The former heavyweight champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Makhmudov in his comeback fight and could return one more time before facing Joshua.
Joshua is also preparing to return to the ring. The two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 as he looks to build momentum towards a potential clash with Fury.
If Fury decides to fight early, Peter Fury’s view is elementary: there is no point in fighting an opponent who poses no challenge.
“A walk in the park gets you nowhere,” said Peter Fury. “Definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back.”
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Anthony Joshua will return to action next month as he looks to revive his highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury by knocking out Albania’s Kristian Prenga. If he is successful in both of these fights, Joshua has five opponents in mind for 2027.
Since his failed attempt to dethrone Daniel Dubois to become a three-time world heavyweight champion in September 2024, Joshua has only made one appearance; winning six rounds in a gimmick fight against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.
Now, “AJ” returns to the chase ranks and looks to remind fight fans of his pedigree and strength, starting with a July “tune-up” against Prengi, who is expected to pose a minor threat before his November showdown with “The Gypsy King.”
I’m talking to Ring MagazineJoshua mentioned the five “gigantic fights” he is looking forward to after his feud with Fury ends.
“For me and Fury, he can’t be the one [left]because I know if I stay here long enough there will be a rematch with [Daniel] Dubois, there is a potential Fabio [Wardley] to fight is Agit [Kabayel] to fight there as long as he becomes champion, I like how gigantic that would be.
“Exists [Moses] Itauma’s fight as he nears the rankings is still there [Deontay] Wilder fight there. There will be massive fights.
“Fury is just another number and what I’m trying to say is that I don’t put him on a pedestal, he’s not above anyone, everyone stands in my way, everyone is on the same level. I don’t put him above anyone.”
After months of delays, silence and changing plans, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 fight finally has a date and place booked.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions has placed the Sept. 25 date and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s official calendar for the proposed rematch, giving the long-talked-about event its most concrete development since Floyd Mayweather publicly stated the fight should be finalized within 48 hours.
Almost a month has passed since these comments and now fans can look forward to Friday night’s world-famous boxing event.
September 25
The stipulation represents another step forward in a fight that has spent most of 2026 waiting for what Pacquiao adviser Sean Gibbons previously described to WBN as “Floyd Time.”
Pacquiao’s team initially revealed plans for a Netflix-backed rematch before Mayweather finally confirmed the project while promoting his Mike Zambidis exhibition.
However, despite approving the concept, Mayweather has offered little publicly since then.
It’s worth noting that Mayweather’s promotions were not mentioned in the latest booking announcement.
T-Mobile Arena
The selection of T-Mobile Arena also marks a departure from the original 2015 competition, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A quick check by World Boxing News of the T-Mobile Arena schedule currently shows no conflicting event scheduled for September 25.
That said, boxing fans have seen this story before.
While September 19 was previously linked to the rematch, the date was ultimately set by Hall of Fame rock band The Eagles.
I’m still waiting for Floyd
For now, the booking represents the clearest sign that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 remains on track.
Pacquiao’s team has continued to publicly push for the event, while Mayweather has largely avoided talks since confirming Netflix’s course of action.
Time will tell if Floyd decides to give this fight the same public support he will give Pacquiao’s team.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
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