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Marvelous Marvin Hagler dead at 66

 
 
 
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TSwizzle

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The sport of boxing has lost one of its greats. Legendary boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler died suddenly at the age of 66.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who became one of boxing’s greatest middleweight champions, wielding awesome punching power while shrugging off opponents’ blows, died on Saturday in New Hampshire. He was 66 and lived in Bartlett, N.H. Hagler’s wife, Kay, announced on his fan club’s Facebook page that he had died “unexpectedly” at their home, but did not provide details. Hagler made 12 successful title defenses in the 1980s, 11 by knockouts along with a unanimous decision in 1983 over Roberto Duran when the middleweight division featured a host of outstanding fighters. Fighting from an unorthodox left-handed stance, his head shaved, he was perpetually bearing in on his foes.
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NY Times

Back then, the middleweight division was the most exciting with Hagler dominating. I can still remember the fight when he lost to Sugar Ray in a controversial split decision. Hagler was so disgusted with the decision he never fought again.
 
TSwizzle said:
The sport of boxing has lost one of its greats. Legendary boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler died suddenly at the age of 66.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who became one of boxing’s greatest middleweight champions, wielding awesome punching power while shrugging off opponents’ blows, died on Saturday in New Hampshire. He was 66 and lived in Bartlett, N.H. Hagler’s wife, Kay, announced on his fan club’s Facebook page that he had died “unexpectedly” at their home, but did not provide details. Hagler made 12 successful title defenses in the 1980s, 11 by knockouts along with a unanimous decision in 1983 over Roberto Duran when the middleweight division featured a host of outstanding fighters. Fighting from an unorthodox left-handed stance, his head shaved, he was perpetually bearing in on his foes.
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NY Times

Back then, the middleweight division was the most exciting with Hagler dominating. I can still remember the fight when he lost to Sugar Ray in a controversial split decision. Hagler was so disgusted with the decision he never fought again.
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Hagler's team let him down in the negotiations for the Leonard fight. They were focused on getting the biggest share of the pot, while Leonard's group wanted the technical advantages (e.g. a large, 20-foot ring for Leonard to have extra room to keep away, 10-ounce gloves to reduce the impact of Hagler's power, etc.).

The 1st round of Hagler-Hearns was possibly the most awesome display of firepower in any single round of boxing.
 
hurtinbuckaroo said:
Hagler's team let him down in the negotiations for the Leonard fight. They were focused on getting the biggest share of the pot, while Leonard's group wanted the technical advantages (e.g. a large, 20-foot ring for Leonard to have extra room to keep away, 10-ounce gloves to reduce the impact of Hagler's power, etc.).
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I did not know that. I watched that fight and I was an admirer of Leonard but Hagler was my favorite. I thought Hagler won that fight, do you have any thoughts on that fight if you saw it ? I felt Leonard looked good, yes he was limiting Haglers power but Leonard wasn't landing an awful lot. His defense was very good.

hurtinbuckaroo said:
The 1st round of Hagler-Hearns was possibly the most awesome display of firepower in any single round of boxing.
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Oh yes, a battle indeed. Hearns was another fantastic middleweight in that era. What a great time for boxing that was.
 
Without doubt, Hagler was one of the very best. Middleweight boxing has never hit those heights since.

Over the years I've met a lot of boxers. I have pictures meeting Hearns and Leonard as well, but this is one with Marvelous.

Hagler.jpg
 

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Thomas Hearns - I was friendly with the organiser of a sports dinner he was starring at, so I got to collect him and Emmanuel Stewart from the hotel they were staying at and take them to the venue. They were in the back of my car chatting for half an hour.

Hearns2.jpg
 

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Roberto Duran - I was in Vegas as press for the Tyson - McNeeley fight, and by chance Roberto Duran had the seat next to me. Lovely guy - didn't have much if any English, but keen to try to communicate as best he could.

duran.jpg
 

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Sugar Ray Leonard - same trip to Vegas, he was in the hotel. Would clearly much rather have been talking to the blonde lady than getting a photo with me!

leonard.jpg
 
Another very good boxer has died that mixed it with the legends;

Former British and European champion Kirkland Laing has died aged 66. Laing, who retired from boxing in 1994 with a record of 43 victories, 12 defeats and one draw, will be best remembered for producing one the finest performances by a British fighter on American soil when he upset the great Roberto Duran back in 1982. That was the greatest victory of Laing's career but his life outside of the ring spiralled into drink and drugs after that famous night in Detroit.
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DailyMail

Britain produced some really good boxers in that era, Chris Eubanks, Michael Watson, Nigel Benn, Tony Sibson to name a few.
 
TSwizzle said:
Another very good boxer has died that mixed it with the legends;

Former British and European champion Kirkland Laing has died aged 66. Laing, who retired from boxing in 1994 with a record of 43 victories, 12 defeats and one draw, will be best remembered for producing one the finest performances by a British fighter on American soil when he upset the great Roberto Duran back in 1982. That was the greatest victory of Laing's career but his life outside of the ring spiralled into drink and drugs after that famous night in Detroit.
Click to expand...

DailyMail

Britain produced some really good boxers in that era, Chris Eubanks, Michael Watson, Nigel Benn, Tony Sibson to name a few.
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I never saw that fight. And I never saw Laing box. Too bad. Duran was a great boxer. Those were the golden years of boxing!
 
I saw a few of Laing’s fights and he was really good but he never quite reached his full potential but definitely a talented boxer and athlete.
 
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