MMH in the 21st Century

Big Croc · Post by **Big Croc** » 01 Feb 2004, 16:19

As a newbie to the site, I thought I'd dedicate my debut post to my all time fave fighter! So, crystal balls out...

Where would a 27 year old Marvin Hagler be today? Would he be MW champ (oh, yes! IMO), how do you see his journey to the top (assuming a pro debut in, say, 1997) and how would the current competition measure up?

As an aside, can you see the Marvellous One jumping up the weight categories as seems so prevalent of late? Can't see him fighting LH etc myself but...

Your thoughts and fantasies please!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 01 Feb 2004, 18:18

Difficult to transfer him into the chaotic modern scene. I've often thought what would have happened if Hagler hadn't walked away when Leonard refused to give him a rematch. The middleweight title was diversified of course. Would Hagler have beaten a young Frank Tate, or a talented Sumbu Kalambay? Would he have beaten Hearns again?
Would he, perish the thought, have taken the route his half-brother took and go for the WBO title?
There's no doubt Hagler was fading by the time of the Leonard shocker. His one-time deadly accuracy was departing him. And, when he missed, he was slower on the recovery, leaving him open to counters.
On the other hand his greater "flat-footedness" did seem to lend him more punching power in the Mugabi fight. And he wasn't that badly faded.
Yes, he would have beaten Tate and Kalambay. But he wouldn't have re-unified the title because the new champions would have avoided him.
So here's what my crystal ball says.
He would have fought Frank Tate and beat him with a late stoppage. He's incensed enough to punish Tate, but still professional enough to not be unduly hasty. He would have defended it a couple of times against good but not great fighters - perhaps Jorge Amparo or Herol Graham, then retired happier.
I think Graham would have been on the itinery because of his suspect chin. That would give Hagler the satisfaction of beating a highly-ranked boxer by knockout.
I don't think he would have taken on Hearns. Why? The Leonard loss would make Hagler very sensitive about what a second loss would do to his image. His first win over Hearns canonised him, and if he lost to Hearns in the rematch he'd not only be remembered as a two-time loser, but people might reckon the first win wasn't such definitive proof that Hagler was great fighter.
It may sound uncharacteristic of him, but he would have wanted to protect his glories rather than risk them.

barry · Post by **barry** » 02 Feb 2004, 00:19

I'd say that Hagler would work his way up, and if it's from 1997, he would probably be undefeated and dominating the division even more so than he did in the early 80s. My estimation would be that starting his eighth year in 2004, Hagler is 51-0-0 (45 KO).

turn2stone · Post by **turn2stone** » 02 Feb 2004, 07:00

There'd be no denying or over looking Hagler today. What with the internet and satellite television exploding since Halger's professional youth. It would be much easier to cultivate a loud and powerful fan base while enroute to the top.

Big Croc · Post by **Big Croc** » 02 Feb 2004, 16:28

Yeah, one thing that always struck me as strange, even at the time, was the lack of publicity he attracted. In Blighty, I had barely heard of him until the Minter debacle. It does seem there is a bit a revival in interest in him of late. Probably because people realise what they are missing. Still, I like to think Bernard Hopkins is doing a great job and in a sense carrying Marv's torch. God knows who's going to replace BH though...