Sugar Ray Leonard Reflects on Career-Defining Moments Against the Four Kings

Sugar Ray Leonard, a five-weight world champion and a pivotal member of the legendary 'Four Kings,' has opened up about a critical moment in his career. In an interview with Sky Sports, Leonard stated that he should have considered retirement after his intense 1989 clash with Tommy Hearns.

Leonard recalled, "The fight with Tommy Hearns in '89, he should have won the decision. It was a tough fight. Everybody said Tommy was shot, even my camp said 'one punch he’s gone.' I said to myself, 'when Tommy fights me, he’s going to rise to the occasion.' Tommy did that. He hurt me so many times; I knew then I should have retired after the Hearns fight, even after the Hagler fight."

The bout ended in a controversial split decision draw at Caesars Palace, with many observers believing that Hearns had done enough to secure the victory. Following this fight, Leonard faced Roberto Duran for a third time, winning before suffering a defeat to Terry Norris in February 1991. Leonard's career concluded with a record of 36 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, but not before a brief return in 1997 against Hector Camacho, where he was stopped in five rounds.