Marvin Hagler

Marvelous Marvin: The Early Years

Marvelous Marvin: The Early Years

Turning pro to little or no fanfare back in May of 1973, no-nonsense southpaw Marvin Hagler (the ‘Marvelous’ was added much, much later; and legally) slogged his way up the hard way. Fighting tough guys for low pay checks, Hagler’s inner hardness was formed. Nothing came easy to him, and there were very few opponents that could in any way be referred to as anything other than formidable.

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Happy Birthday, Hagler-Hearns! Is it still the greatest fight ever?

Happy Birthday, Hagler-Hearns! Is it still the greatest fight ever?

Imagine if, right now, you were eagerly awaiting the big fight tonight and it was Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns. Back when this one was coming up, fans everywhere knew they would get a great fight; they just didn’t know how great. For the three utterly explosive rounds these two special fighters gave us shocked even hardened fight experts, as the terrific HBO “The Tale Of Hagler-Hearns” show explains.

Often voted as THE greatest fight in boxing history; the result of the eight minutes of furnace-like warfare – a whole 15 rounds of action crammed into eight minutes – Hagler-Hearns has reached a near mythical status. Turn it on right now, and see if you still get shivers down your spine when watching that opening round; this without a doubt THE greatest opening three minutes in all of boxing (name a better, greater, more unbelievably exciting opening round if you can!)

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30 years ago today: Leonard-Hagler – The Superfight that caused a debate like no other

30 years ago today: Leonard-Hagler – The Superfight that caused a debate like no other

The date of April 6, 1987 is etched firmly in the memory banks of all boxing fans who were of sufficient age to have been aware of “The Superfight” – the astonishing world middleweight title fight between defending champ Marvelous Marvin Hagler and underdog challenger Sugar Ray Leonard – when it took place.

The fight caused an enormous stir when first made official; in large part due to the perceived “crazy” decision former welterweight king Leonard was making in attempting to come back, after almost five years out of action, to challenge the formidable Hagler – this after having undergone major retinal surgery. But the debate that followed – one that continues to rage a full three decades later and shows no sign of fading away – proved absolutely monstrous.

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30 Years Later – Valdez / Ramirez / Magdaleno / Stevenson Score Hagler vs. Leonard

30 Years Later - Valdez / Ramirez / Magdaleno / Stevenson Score Hagler vs. Leonard

It took place on Monday, April 6, 1987 at Caesars Palace and it was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank®. The SuperFight: Hagler vs. Leonard, with Marvin Hagler defending his middleweight title against Sugar Ray Leonard, making a return after a three-year absence from the ring and a big question mark about his surgically-repaired eye. It was one the biggest and most successful sporting events of that era. Caesars Palace was sold out with 15,000 spectators and an estimated 400 million more watching worldwide via closed-circuit or on pay-tv. The media credentialed for fight week was close to 1,1000. It was the quintessential promotion of that time and the foundation on which mega fights are now promoted. And the result? It is as hotly debated today as it was 30 years ago when the judges’ scores were read that night. Dave Moretti scored it 115-113 for Leonard. Lou Fillippo scored it 115-113 for Hagler. Jo Jo Guerra scored it 118-110 for Leonard, making him the new middleweight champion, and completing one of the greatest career comebacks in boxing .

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