Featuring Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Duran
HAGLER. HEARNS. LEONARD. DURAN.
Legendary fighters remembered for their epic battles.
A new series “The Kings” debuted this month (on four consecutive Sundays) paying tribute to these blood-and-guts warriors. The finale episode will air THIS Sunday, June 27 at 8 PM ET/PT on Showtime (also available for streaming on demand through Showtime).
I’ve watched the three previous episodes and I’m really looking forward to seeing the grand finale all about Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
This four-part show features highlights of their fights, training camps, rare footage, interviews and behind-the-scenes memories of their time in the spotlight.
All men fought each other at least once; it was a round robin–and one for the ages. I loved that era in boxing and truly enjoyed watching “The Kings.” The TV series also showcases the political climate of the day and puts you right in the crosshairs of the 70s and 80s. You see “Marvelous” Marvin in his early years, the “Hitman” Hearns soaking in all his newfound fame, “Sugar” Ray Leonard’s eye issues and early retirement, and “Manos de Piedra’s” corner reliving what really happened during the “No Mas” controversy.
And with Hagler’s passing in March of this year, “The Kings” takes on even more of a bittersweet tone.
These prizefighters fought in instant classic matchups in a very special time that may never be duplicated. Nowadays, it’s not an automatic given that the best actually fight the best. Their showdowns became intense rivalries both inside and outside the ropes. And what this “Fearsome Foursome” did inside the ropes is even more impressive now. It was a special time in a different era.
This series is excellent and I would recommend any boxing fan to catch this riveting new show streaming on demand now.
Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, Duran. Champions, Legends, Boxing Heroes, Hall of Famers.
TRUE KINGS IN THE RING.
More info about “The Kings”
From 1980 through 1989, four great champions and future Hall of Famers raised the level of their sport. It was boxing at its best, at its most enthralling. Over the span of one glorious decade, they fought each other nine times. Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard, known collectively as the “Four Kings,” formed a fierce rivalry and arguably the greatest period in the history of the sport.
A four-part docu-series showcasing four champions who ushered in a boxing renaissance. As the recession of the late 70s gave way to the capitalism of the 80s, the underrepresented yearned for someone to fight for them. Amidst this backdrop, Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard became the people’s champions and revitalized the sport of boxing. Through in-depth interviews and archival footage, the series showcases their incredible achievements in the ring as well as their personal battles outside of it.
S1, E1 Part One: Ghetto to Glory to Gold
Original Air Date: Jun 6, 2021
In the late 1970s, four gifted boxers rise up to dominate the sport and define an era: Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran. Leonard is the all-American feted as ‘the new Ali.’ In contrast, Hagler takes the hard road to the top, and he doesn’t owe the world any favors. Tommy Hearns steps into the ring in Detroit, knocking out most of his opponents in devastating fashion. But it’s Roberto Duran whom Leonard sets his sights on to prove he’s more than just a TV personality. Series premiere.
S1, E2 Part Two: Flesh & Blood
Original Air Date: Jun 13, 2021
Gentle giant Tommy Hearns represents Detroit’s hopes and dreams and after a devastating title fight, he’s crowned champion. In the aftermath of the presidential election, Ray Leonard again challenges Roberto Duran, leading to one of the most notorious endings in fight history. Meanwhile Marvin Hagler is given a second chance at glory, but a riot breaks out in England after his victory over the local champion. The stars now align for one of the greatest fights of all time: Leonard vs Hearns. Few could have predicted how the day would go down.
S1, E3 Part Three: The Will to Win
Original Air Date: Jun 20, 2021
Following his defeat of Hearns, Leonard ascends the throne vacated by Muhammad Ali. But the aftermath brings the revelation of an eye injury – and Leonard announces his retirement, robbing Hagler of the fight he’d been spoiling for. Duran hits rock bottom, a pariah not only abroad but in his home country. Nevertheless, he stages a miraculous comeback. With Leonard and Duran out of the way, the stage is set for one of the greatest fights of all time: Hagler vs Hearns.
S1, E4 Part Four: A Champion Never Quits
Original Air Date: Jun 27, 2021
The era of the Four Kings comes to an end. Hagler defeats Hearns and claims his place at the top of the world. Ray Leonard comes out of retirement to challenge the 
new champ. Following their fight, Hagler is disgusted with the verdict and quits. Tommy Hearns finally gets his rematch with Leonard. Hearns devastates Leonard, leading to another controversial decision by the judges. Leonard and Duran come together for a final fight, a pale imitation of their former glories. It’s the end of an era, but the Kings’ legacy is assured.
SHOWTIME SPORTS DOCUMENTARY FILMS will be presenting THE KINGS, a four-part series chronicling the four fighters’ dramatic and divergent ascents to greatness and the legendary matches they produced. They dominated an era of their own creation, but not each other. The weekly series premieres on Sunday, June 6 at 8 p.m. ET / PT on SHOWTIME, with all episodes being made available across the network’s on-demand and streaming platforms at premiere.
THE KINGS is produced by Box To Box Film in association with Ingenious Media. The series is executive produced by James Gay-Rees (Amy, Senna, Drive To Survive) and Paul Martin (Diego Maradona, Drive To Survive), produced by Fiona Neilson (Oasis: Supersonic, Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams) and directed by Mat Whitecross (Oasis: Supersonic, Road To Guantanamo, Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams).