Thomas Hearns ranks one world champion above all of the legendary Four Kings

While the most memorable battles for Thomas Hearns may have come against his fellow members of the Four Kings, he says his best ever rival was someone else entirely.

Hearns is one of the most popular fighters of all time, with his knockout power and action-infused style making him a big favourite of many boxing fans.

He became the first boxer in history to win world titles in five divisions from welterweight to light heavyweight, and across those divisions he was involved in epic encounters with Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.

The quartet of boxing icons were collectively known as the Four Kings, with Hearns claiming a knockout win over Duran, but suffering stoppage losses to Hagler and Leonard, along with a controversial draw to Leonard in their rematch.

Despite those legendary fights, ‘The Hitman’ believes another rival from his career surpasses each of the aforementioned names, after revealing in a feature with The Ring that he views Wilfred Benitez as the best fighter he ever faced.

“Wilfred Benitez was very good … slick and very crafty … He moved well and fights all around the ring.”

Hearns fought Benitez in December 1982, claiming a majority decision win after a 15-round back and forth contest to win the WBC light middleweight title.

Benitez was a three-weight world champion, and is the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, after claiming the WBA light welterweight title at the age of just 17.

Along with Hearns, Benitez also took on two other members of the Four Kings in his career, defeating Duran but coming up short against Leonard.