Duran's place amongst the 4... Over ranked?

[brickcityboxing]

Why is it that he seems to get so much love and is even ranked higher by most when compared to the rest of the 4 horesmen? He did tremendous things at the lower weight classes and was smaller than all three of the other guy's but he lost to every single one of them... with the exception of the one win over Leonard in the first fight (you could argue Leonard won that one too)... Hearn's nearly decapitated him, Hagler beat him, No Mas' and he lost to "Radar" Benitez...

Why is he ranked so high ... not in the lower classes but the work he did in those superfights...
He was exciting, ruthless, a wild man both in and out of the ring but he lost damn near every single one of the fights that mattered most...

I'm admitting my ignorance on the subject as I'm pretty weak with my boxing history pre 1990. So take it easy on me... but It's always been something that bothered me and I've never really gotten a good answer.
When I speak to old timer's guys my father or uncles age it's alway Leonard and then Duran that come up and maybe in close 3rd it's Hagler.

[jas]

Duran is one of the most skilled fighters of all time

[Southpaw93]

1.Duran
2.Leonard
3.Hagler
4.Hearns

[Dr Rumack]

Duran was the least athletic of the four but the best boxer. He had the combined wisdom of Arcel and Freddie Brown in his head when he stepped into the ring, but it didn't dull his killer's temperament. He was a strange mix of craft and savagery.

[Larry the boss]

Leonard-(he beat all of them)
Hagler(beat both Duran and Hearns)
Hearns(almost killed Duran)
Duran(lost to all the other 3)

[bojangles1987]

Mainly because he had surprising success at higher weights while undersized and past prime, which combined with his accomplishments in the lower weights was greater than what the rest of the 4 did. Plus his skills were remarkable. He was every bit as versatile and skilled as the others. He did beat Leonard, and his losses to the other 3 had more to do with size than his ability as a fighter.

[Pigeons]

1-4 vs. Leonard, Hearns, and Hagler

[Boxfan83]

U will probably get banned, for questioning Duran. Duran is like a God on NSB but I feel your sentiment. But he did win a belt @lightweight & middleweight which is a feat in itself but I understand what u mean. One thing u have to learn is according to Everyone on NSB no modern boxer could lace any of the 4 you mentioned boxing shoes.

[El Campesino]

Duran is so respected because he challenged himself and fought the best no matter what. He didn't need weight stipulations, glove stipulations, didn't have to run, and didn't have to hug. He was pretty much the antithesis of a black fighter.

[Tom Cruise]

Hes ranked so highly because most people take into account their whole resumes rather than just the H2H's.

This is him fighting at 37yrsold, 4 divisions above his natural class, against a guy who had just ko'd Hearns in 3.