RIP Marvelous Marvin Hagler

Detroitgator

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Greatest era of fighters in my lifetime with Leonard (hate him), Hagler (big respect), Hearns (my favorite of the four, obviously), and a very, very, old but dangerous Duran (big respect).
 

Gulfstream

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Greatest era of fighters in my lifetime with Leonard (hate him), Hagler (big respect), Hearns (my favorite of the four, obviously), and a very, very, old but dangerous Duran (big respect).

Couldn't agree more. Hagler just could not be hurt. Hearns had the fastest hands i'd ever seen. His quick left jab usually followed up by that devastating right was a sight to behold.
 

Gulfstream

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Oh and what an ass whipping he laid on Alan Minter after Minter said he would not lose his title to a black man.
 

Detroitgator

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Couldn't agree more. Hagler just could not be hurt. Hearns had the fastest hands i'd ever seen. His quick left jab usually followed up by that devastating right was a sight to behold.
And then he broke his wrist on Marvin's noggin... in that damn video. :(

I loved that era because all four were boxers. I loved Hearns, Hagler, and Duran because they were FIGHTERS as well. I hate Leonard for the same reason I hate Mayweather, they are brilliant, but I just love boxers that are fighters first.
 

FireFoley

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Hagler was a great fighter even tho unorthodox with his style. My most vivid memory Of Hagler was my senior year at UF and Hagler was fighting Leonard and they showed it closed circuit TV at the O'Dome. There was a great crowd at the O'Dome but they awarded the decision to Leonard and in my eye, Hagler clearly won the fight. And I had nothing against Leonard, but he was making a comeback and he was an American hero in the boxing world, and Hagler was never ever given the credit he deserved. Was robbed of the Leonard decision but was a winner in life. RIP Marvelous Marvin.
 

Detroitgator

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Hagler was a great fighter even tho unorthodox with his style. My most vivid memory Of Hagler was my senior year at UF and Hagler was fighting Leonard and they showed it closed circuit TV at the O'Dome. There was a great crowd at the O'Dome but they awarded the decision to Leonard and in my eye, Hagler clearly won the fight. And I had nothing against Leonard, but he was making a comeback and he was an American hero in the boxing world, and Hagler was never ever given the credit he deserved. Was robbed of the Leonard decision but was a winner in life. RIP Marvelous Marvin.
This fight illustrated everything I mean about Leonard... he won the fight before the opening bell by getting all the terms he wanted. He was brilliant, Hagler came to fight, it's why I love him along with Hearns and Duran.
 

Gulfstream

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And then he broke his wrist on Marvin's noggin... in that damn video. :(

I loved that era because all four were boxers. I loved Hearns, Hagler, and Duran because they were FIGHTERS as well. I hate Leonard for the same reason I hate Mayweather, they are brilliant, but I just love boxers that are fighters first.

The 70's thru the 80's were really the golden era for boxing. So much talent in so many weight classes. I think thing the thing that first drew me to favor Hagler was his discipline, personally and professionally. He didn't drink or smoke or get himself caught up in the nightlife. His stamina and conditioning was legendary. Never out of shape and always ready to go.

Hearns probably had the most natural skill set of any of them.
Duran lost me at " no mas"
Leonard was to much showboat
 

Detroitgator

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The 70's thru the 80's were really the golden era for boxing. So much talent in so many weight classes. I think thing the thing that first drew me to favor Hagler was his discipline, personally and professionally. He didn't drink or smoke or get himself caught up in the nightlife. His stamina and conditioning was legendary. Never out of shape and always ready to go.

Hearns probably had the most natural skill set of any of them.
Duran lost me at " no mas"
Leonard was to much showboat
Agreed on all. You gotta look at how old Duran was at "no mas"... he'd already had like 70 fights and I really think it was a "wtf am i doing? no mas!" moment.

And Hagler was the David Hasselhoff of Italy as an actor.
 

Marine1

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Tommy Hearns, as good as he was, might have become the greatest of all if he had a chin. I loved watching his fights. Young Duran was one of my favorites ever. It was truly the greatest era of boxing...mostly because nobody dodged anybody.
 

rogdochar

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So true, Marine.
Marvin Hagler was an under-celebrated champion. He lost once early in his career when he was learning. After that, he never lost. Marvin was totally non flamboyant & all business. Not a media darling like Sugar Ray and others.

"Hands of Stone" delivered violent punches. He craftily upset Iran "the blade" Barkley. (Why they called him "the blade" when Barkley was the one cut the most?) All were all-out warriors back then. Clenching was a cowardly no-no back then.
 

Theologator

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And then he broke his wrist on Marvin's noggin... in that damn video. :(

I loved that era because all four were boxers. I loved Hearns, Hagler, and Duran because they were FIGHTERS as well. I hate Leonard for the same reason I hate Mayweather, they are brilliant, but I just love boxers that are fighters first.

I agree, and will add:

In my opinion Leonard never beat Hagler. He played keep away. Horrible decision.

Notable exception to Leonard’s style was his ferocious comeback against Hearns. Rounds 13-14 of their first fight were incredible.

 

TheDouglas78

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In my opinion this era and this weight class has always been the best. I was a Hagler fan, loved his style and the way he worked. The first fight I got to watch with my dad and his buddies live was Hagler/Leonard. Made a last impression, which is why even in today's watered down boxing environment I'm a fan.
 

Detroitgator

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I agree, and will add:

In my opinion Leonard never beat Hagler. He played keep away. Horrible decision.

Notable exception to Leonard’s style was his ferocious comeback against Hearns. Rounds 13-14 of their first fight were incredible.


As a Hearns fan, this is the fight that chaps my ass the most. Not so much because they stopped the fight when they did, but because they DIDN'T stop it in the earlier rounds when Hearns detached Leonard's retina and was totally wobbled like Hearns in the 14th, and let the fight continue.

All that said, I think Hearns skipped "leg day" for 20 straight years! :lol:
 

g8r.tom

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That was a great era. All four were fabulous boxers and fighters imho. Leonard could fight too, as he did against Duran the first time and against Hearns when he knew he needed a knock out.

The Hager / Leonard fight was pretty much a draw to me. Leonard was able to hit Hagler, but couldn't hurt him. Hagler couldn't really hit Leonard, he was too good a boxer and stayed away.

There were some great fights among them.
 

Detroitgator

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That was a great era. All four were fabulous boxers and fighters imho. Leonard could fight too, as he did against Duran the first time and against Hearns when he knew he needed a knock out.

The Hager / Leonard fight was pretty much a draw to me. Leonard was able to hit Hagler, but couldn't hurt him. Hagler couldn't really hit Leonard, he was too good a boxer and stayed away.

There were some great fights among them.
Which is why Leonard demanded the ring size.
 

g8r.tom

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Which is why Leonard demanded the ring size.

True. And other things too. Wasn't the glove size an issue or something? I don't recall.

Leonard knew his path to victory was to very closely follow his plan and planned and fought accordingly.

Hagler just wanted to kick his ass.

Hagler was a bad ass. Leonard was a brilliant tactician.
 

Detroitgator

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True. And other things too. Wasn't the glove size an issue or something? I don't recall.

Leonard knew his path to victory was to very closely follow his plan and planned and fought accordingly.

Hagler just wanted to kick his ass.

Hagler was a bad ass. Leonard was a brilliant tactician.
Totally agree on all.
 

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