Shane Mosley Admits There's One Boxing Legend He'd Absolutely Dodge in a Dream Matchup!
Even the toughest fighters have their limits, and boxing icon Shane Mosley, known for his fearless approach in the ring, has revealed one of the legendary "Four Kings" he'd rather not have faced. The "Four Kings" – a revered quartet of boxing titans consisting of Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran – dominated the sport with their incredible skill and fierce rivalries.
Mosley, a former two-weight world champion, certainly wasn't one to back down from a fight. Throughout his illustrious career, he bravely stepped into the ring with some of boxing's most formidable opponents. Remember his epic victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 at welterweight? That was just the beginning. Mosley went on to challenge the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto. His final world title bout saw him face Canelo Alvarez at super-welterweight in 2012, ultimately losing a decision. After a Hall of Fame career that spanned decades, Mosley eventually retired a few years later.
But here's where it gets interesting: despite his own incredible resume, Mosley confessed that if he could turn back time and have a fantasy fight with one of the "Four Kings," there's one he'd actively avoid. In a candid interview, Mosley admitted that while he'd happily face Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, he would politely decline a showdown with Tommy Hearns.
"I wouldn’t have wanted to fight him [Hearns]. I’d rather fight Sugar Ray Leonard and Duran than fight Tommy Hearns," Mosley stated. "Tommy Hearns back then – 6ft 1in, 6ft 2in; long arms – no thanks."
And this is the part most people miss: Hearns, nicknamed "The Hitman," was a truly imposing figure. Standing at an impressive height for a welterweight and super-welterweight, with a reach that often gave opponents fits, his physical attributes combined with his devastating power made him a terrifying prospect. Even though he lost to Leonard at welterweight, Hearns secured monumental wins against fighters like Wilfred Benitez and Roberto Duran. His legendary clash with Marvin Hagler at middleweight was a brutal, three-round war that is still talked about today. And in his rematch with Leonard at super-middleweight in 1989, many believed Hearns was unfairly denied a victory, with the fight ending in a draw.
Ultimately, Hearns retired in 2006 as a five-weight world champion, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats. His sheer power and size made him a unique challenge, and it's clear that even a fighter as brave as Shane Mosley recognized the immense difficulty of facing "The Hitman."
What do you think? Do you agree with Mosley's assessment? Would you have wanted to see Mosley take on Hearns, or do you understand why he'd want to avoid that particular matchup? Let us know in the comments below!
