SRL has the Joe Montana, Michael Jordan, David Freese, quality: Big game moments. High Drama.

RJJ is more like Peyton Manning, which is no insult of course. He was undoubtedly the best in the game but never had quite that defining moment in the clutch.

Only Ali had a more dramatic career than SRL imo, which of course is a function of having great competition. He even won when he lost, choosing to go toe 2 toe with Duran. That sort of passion distinguishes him. It’s a narrative, a great story with chapters, that ultimately culminates in one of the sport’s greatest warriors quitting. A defeat worse than a KO.

Then comes the jewel in the crown, imo: Hearns I, which is even more significant that Hagler because both fighters were in their prime and SRL has to come from behind to win. He changes styles and pursues arguably the hardest hitting welter in history, culminating in one of the most dramatic late round stoppages in boxing history. This scenario almost repeats itself in their 2ndn bout.

RJJ never had stuff like that, and certainly was never able to pull off a dramatic win past his prime, as SRL did with Hagler. RJJ was just a physical phenom. But even in this category there are questions about his chin and of PED use.

So I go with SRL.