The former two-weight champion believes Calzaghe’s Hall of Fame career deserves greater recognition and says the Welsh great had the style to defeat every member of boxing’s iconic quartet
Nigel Benn has dismissed the long-standing belief that boxing’s Four Kings belonged on a higher level than Joe Calzaghe, insisting the Welsh Hall of Famer would have beaten every one of them. Benn said Calzaghe’s achievements and career record remain among the sport’s most underrated accomplishments.
The former two-weight world champion made the bold claim while reflecting on Calzaghe’s legacy, arguing that the Hall of Famer never received the credit his achievements deserved despite retiring with a perfect 46-0 record.
“Old timers will tell you [Calzaghe] would never have lived with Roberto Durán, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler or Tommy ‘Hitman’ Thomas Hearns,” Benn said to The Sun.
“I disagree. Joe would have beaten them all. How many fighters would love to finish with a record like Joe’s?
“Outside of Wales, I don’t think he got the recognition he deserved. Forty six fights unbeaten is a heck of an achievement. I don’t think we will ever see his like again.”
The Four Kings remain one of boxing’s most celebrated groups, with Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Durán producing a series of memorable championship fights throughout the 1980s. Their resumes continue to serve as the benchmark whenever fans compare elite fighters across different eras.
Calzaghe (46-0) built a Hall of Fame career after dominating the super middleweight division, unifying world titles and making 21 successful defenses of the WBO belt. He retired in 2008 after moving up to light heavyweight and defeating fellow Hall of Famers Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. in his final two bouts.
Benn’s opinion is likely to divide boxing fans given the Four Kings’ standing in the sport, but he believes Calzaghe’s unbeaten record, work rate and all-around ability would have been enough to overcome each member of the iconic quartet.
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