Posted on 03/13/2021 7:53:13 PM PST by Dr. Franklin
Marvin Hagler, the middleweight boxing great whose title reign and career ended with a split-decision loss to “Sugar” Ray Leonard in 1987, died Saturday. He was 66.
Wife Kay G. Hagler confirmed the death on Facebook on the verified Marvelous Marvin Hagler Fan Club page.
“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement,” she wrote. “Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Hagler was 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts from 1973 to 1987. He was the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to his loss to Leonard at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 6, 1987.
I remember George Foreman knocking hell out of him. He hit him so hard it looked like Joe jumped instead of being lifted off the canvas.
I always liked watching Marvin and he was one of my favorites. I never was a sports fan. I did enjoy watching boxing though. One of my junior drill instructors in boot camp caught me with one to the stomach. I was surprised more than anything. He watched my trial by water for 45 minutes and a swim around the deep end with an m-14 as a finisher. I was a small guy. I think he did it so I could tell the story later I took a shot from a Golden Glover.
Sugar Ray said tonight, that fight with Hagler ‘was the closest he ever came to death.’
The reason for his first retirement was a detached retina, so Ray had a serious eye injury years before he fought Hagler.
From memory, Ray went on to have several more epic fights after his controversial win over Hagler.
Curiously, the Mexican judge who gave Leonard the largest point margin was selected by Hagler's team, because they thought a Mexican would favor a brawler like Hagler.
“Sugar Ray said tonight, that fight with Hagler ‘was the closest he ever came to death.’”
I think that was one of the reasons that people who didn’t totally understand the fight game didn’t appreciate Hagler as much. Unlike many of the big name heavyweights, either the press or handlers (managers and fight promoters) made up some type of back story to brighten or darken their human side. Hagler was a hermit when it came to that so he was presented as nothing more than an assassination machine. Thus his real talents as a fighter were overshadowed by his dark side appearance used to isolate him. It made money for many but it left a mark of danger to him that scared people. And when people are scared, they stand back and too many times wish ill will on the person.
Examples of this were some of the characters in the Rocky movies. They softened Apollo in three and four, Lang was “just awesome” when entering the ring in three, a brute, and the Soviet fighter, Drago, didn’t get softened until Creed. But each was a monster after Apollo to create an appearance of destruction. They even softened Hulk Hogan, after the match, for charity.
No one will ever know Hagler at that time. He was advertised as a demolition machine and never given to the pride and work he put into his business as a family man.
wy69
Reports say he died in the hospital. His wife said he died at home. Some report he dies “days” after vaccine. HOW MANY DAYS, WHICH VACCINES?
Who cares how many fights he had or with whom AT THIS TIME?
I want all the details of his death from a KILLER COVID VACCINE.
WHICH VACCINE DAMN IT???? THAT’S IMPORTANT!!!
One of the great lines in movie history. Warning language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noEX5USLmmA
One of the greatest ever. RIP.
This is the albatross they will lay around Trump’s neck. All planned out. DeSantis 2024...and he’ll lose to a ham sandwich. Don’t forget: the dems still count the votes.
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