The boxing world is understandably excited about the now-confirmed heavyweight clash between British duo Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Still, that news is overshadowed by the death of one of boxing’s all-time great, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, who died unexpectedly at his home in New Hampshire on March 13, 2021. He was 66-years-old.
Hagler grew up in Newark, New Jersey, before he and his family moved to Brockton, Massachusetts, following the Newark Riots of 1967. Boxing was in Hagler’s blood. Robbie Sims, the former middleweight southpaw boxer, is Hagler’s brother, so it was not surprising to see Hagler take up boxing when he was only 15-years-old.
First Professional Fight Ends in Victory
His first professional boxing match came in 1973 in Hagler’s hometown of Brockton, Massachusets. Hagler and Terry Ryan stepped into the squared circle, and Hagler knocked him out in the second of four scheduled rounds. Little did we know back then that the boxing world had a superstar in the making.
Hagler won his next 16 fights and boasted of a 17-0, 14 of those victories coming by way of knockout. A majority draw against Sugar Ray Seals in Washington broke up Hagler’s winning record before another eight consecutive victories.
Bobby Watts was the first man to defeat Hagler, doing so on January 13, 1976, with a majority decision. Hagler fought Matt Donavan less than a month later and knocked him out in the second round before Hagler slipped up against Willie Monroe in March 1976, losing by a unanimous decision.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler secured the vacant North American middleweight title in August 1977 when he exacted revenge on Monroe. He added the vacant Massachusetts middleweight title three months later with a 12th round stoppage of Mike Colbert. Hagler broke Colbert’s draw in that clash.
Ferocious Punching Power
Lightning speed and ferocious punching power saw Hagler continue brushing aside opponents. Briton Kevin Finnegan required 40 stitches in his face after a brutal clash that left Hagler with an impressive 38-2-1 record.
His first title shot ended in a controversial split decision draw. Hagler thought he had done enough to win the WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles from Italian Vito Antuofermo, but the judges had other ideas.
Hagler got his hands on those belts after a third-round TKO against the United Kingdom’s Alan Minter in September 1980. Hagler won the fight after opening up four deep cuts on the cut-prone Brit’s face. A riot broke out at Wembley Stadium when Minter’s corner threw in the towel, and police escorted Hagler and his corner back to the dressing room. It did not matter, however, because Hagler was now the world champion.
Twelve successive title defenses followed, making Hagler one of the busiest boxing champions in history. His 13th defense proved unlucky as he lost his titles, and it proved to be his last-ever fight.
“Marvin Hagler” by Getty is licensed under CC BY 3.0
A Disappointing End to a Glistening Career
Sugar Ray Leonard, another iconic fighter, and Hagler clashed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 6, 1987. A grueling fight ended with both fighters exhausted. Hagler threw 792 punches and landed 291, while Leonard threw 629 and landed 306. Leonard told Hagler, “You beat me, man” after the fight, words caught on HBO’s cameras and microphones.
The judges scored the fight with wildly different points, from 117-111 to Hagler, to 118-110 in favor of Leonard. The fight ended with a split decision draw.
Hagler demanded a rematch, but Leonard opted to announce his retirement. Hagler did the same 14-months later, claiming he was tired of waiting for Leonard. Leonard offered Hagler a rematch in 1990, but Hagler was done entirely with boxing at this point, instead concentrating on his acting career.
Few boxers can match Hagler’s professional record of 67 fights, 62 wins, and 52 knockouts. Boxing lost a true great when Hagler passed away. RIP Marvelous Marvin Hagler.