By James Slater: Somewhat ironically, after recently writing a birthday article on the fighter who ended his career in controversial circumstances, today sees the same written tribute to Marvellous Marvin Hagler – who turns 54 today. Of course, Sugar Ray Leonard is the fighter whose birthday it was six days ago, and it was on “The Sugar Man” that I wrote a (hopefully) fitting tribute. Well, today the equally great Hagler gets the same treatment.
Hagler and Leonard, somewhat like Ali and Frazier, will be forever linked together. To this day, though they only had the one fight, hardly a day goes by without the two middleweights’ rivalry being mentioned by one fight fan or another. Also to this day, the debate as to who won on the 6th of April, 1987 rages. There is so much more to Marvellous Marvin Hagler than just that fight, however. Indeed, Marvin himself would like to forget all about that final bout in his legendary career.
Turning pro to little or no fanfare back in May of 1973, southpaw Hagler slogged his way up the hard way. Fighting tough guys for low pay checks, Marvellous Marvin’s hardness was formed. Nothing came easy to him, and there were very few opponents that could be in any way referred to as anything other than formidable. Working his way towards a shot at the world middleweight title, Hagler met such worthy and capable opposition as Sugar Ray Seales (W U10, D 10 and Won TKO 1), Willie “The Worm” Monroe (L UD 10, W TKO 12 and W TKO 2), Eugene “Cyclone” Hart (W RTD 8), Mike Colbert (W KO 12) and “Bad” Bennie Briscoe (W UD 10). Hagler also fought Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts – losing a majority verdict over ten rounds. These two would meet again soon after Hagler’s first shot at the world title.
In this fight, too, Hagler would lose controversially. Challenging world champion Vito Antuofermo on the under-card of the Leonard-Wilfred Benitez welterweight title fight (for much less money than what Ray earned in his first world title fight), Hagler went home empty-handed thanks to a bitterly disputed draw. It was after this fight, held in November of 1979, that Hagler decided boxing judges could never be trusted again. From then on vowing to let his fists and his fists alone decide the result of one of his fights, Hagler was intent on KO’ing everyone in his path. He set about this task with frightening efficiency.
After avenging his loss to Watts via a 2nd round TKO five months after the Antuofermo disappointment, and after also picking up wins over Loucif Amani (W KO 2) and Marcos Geraldo (in what turned out to be Hagler’s last points win in over three years), Marvin Met Britain’s Alan Minter in the new champ’s home country.
Minter had won the title from Antuerfermo and now Hagler made his second attempt at capturing the crown. He suffered no setback this time! Crushing the man who had reportedly made the foolish comment beforehand that he’d never lose his title to a black guy, Hagler won in less than three rounds. Minter’s face was a disgrace due to bad cuts, but the behaviour of his fans was even more so. Pelting the new champ with beer bottles, Marvellous had to be escorted from the ring. His coronation somewhat spoilt, Hagler was intent on keeping his belt for as long as he possibly could.
Memorable defences came against fellow all-time greats Roberto Duran (W UD 15) and Thomas Hearns (W KO 3), along with retentions against good fighters like Antuerfermo in a return (W TKO 5), William “Caveman” Lee (W TKO 1), Juan Roldan (W TKO 10) and John “The Beast” Mugabi (W KO 11). As he made defence after defence Hagler cemented his reputation as one of the finest middleweights of all-time.
Then, in 1987, in what was his 13th title defence, Hagler met and lost to Leonard in a fight that so upset him he quit the sport afterwards. Convinced he’d out-pointed the man he’d longed to face for so long, Hagler left boxing with a very bad taste in his mouth. To this day, if you mention Ray Leonard’s name in any way other than to say Marvin beat him – you better duck if Hagler is around!
It is ironic that the two men have their birthday so close together, with Ray being born on May 17th and Hagler today, May 23rd. But despite the ill feeling that still exists between the two as far as their fight and its result goes, let us wish both former greats can live happy and contented lives today. Both of them have more than earned it.