Boxing icon Thomas Hearns once revealed the best defensive fighter that he faced during his accomplished professional career.

‘The Hitman’ is often credited with being one of the greatest fighters of all time, winning world titles across four weight classes during his 29-year tenure.

Hearns rose to prominence during the 1980s where he produced a number of legacy-defining victories over the likes of Wilfred Benitez and legendary rival Roberto Duran.

He became a member of ‘The Four Kings’ at the peak of his career, a legendary quartet that consisted of himself, Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard.

In a round of ‘Best I Faced’ with The Ring Magazine, Hearns made no mistake in naming Puerto Rican great Wilfred Benitez as the fighter he faced during his career with the best defence.

“Wilfred Benitez: He moves his head well and makes you miss a lot. He slides and hits you with jabs and hooks. Benitez was a good, solid fighter. He had great ability. He was a smart guy in the ring and he moved well.”

Hearns got the better of Benitez when they crossed paths at the Louisiana Superdome back in December of 1982, defeating ‘El Radar’ via majority decision to capture the WBC world super-welterweight title and become a world champion in two weight classes.

Benitez’s career would continue for a further eight years before it eventually came to an end in 1990. The Puerto Rican hero remains the youngest world champion in boxing history, a feat he achieved in 1976 when he became the WBA light-welterweight champion with a win over Antonio Cervantes.