Marvin Hagler vs. Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart

[Rover]

Who's this Hagker guy?

[Rover]

September 13, 1976 (Philadelphia Daily News) 'Bio

Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart

The hard-smashing left-hooking Middleweight from Philadelphia. Turned professional at Age 18 in
September 1969.

Scoring 'knockout-after-knockout' to the thrill of the Philadelphia fans at the 'The Blue Horizon',
'The Spectrum' and 'Arena' - by January 1972 - the 21 year-old 'Cyclone' was regarded as the best
155 lb. Fighter in the World with a record of 21-0-0 (20 KO's).

In February 1972 - 'Cyclone' Hart faced the #7 Light Middleweight - 28 year-old Trinidadian -
Matt Donovan 35-6-2 (17 KO's) in what was supposed to be a Light Middleweight Elimination bout,
with the winner to face World 'WBA/WBC'Light Middleweight Champion - Japan's Koichi Wajima in May 1972.

Eugene did his part by winning in his normal fashion, by scoring a devastating {KO 2} Knockout. Now
with a record of 22-0-0 (21 KO's), 'Cyclone' was supposed get a World Title opportunity in Japan.

155 pound fighter?

[Rover]

Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart,

Instead of waiting for a May 1972 Light Middleweight Championship bout with Koichi Wajima,
'Cyclones' Manager - Sam Solomon accepted what he thought was an 'easy payday' for
his fighter in March 1972.

Veteran California Middleweight - 27 year-old - Nate 'Nat' Collins.

Cyclone went all-out early against the veteran, and after pounding Collins around the Ring in
Round 1, Cyclone dropped Nat in Round 2.

All seemed to be going well thru 4 Rounds, when all of a sudden Nate Collins started fighting back
as Cyclone started to fade. Collins took command in Round 6, and pounded Cyclone's face with
solid one-two's, swelling up of Hart's both eye's.

By the end of Round 8, both of Cyclone's eyes were swollen shut, and the bout had to be stopped
with Nate Collins being awarded a RTD after 8 Rounds.

Unfortunately, Cyclone let that 'TKO Loss' affect him, as he blew a World Championship
opportunity.

Ah, those tuneups.

[Bobbin & Weavin]

155 Pounds,

Cyclone could easily make (154 lbs.) Light Middleweight in late-1971 and early-1972.

The only reason he was fighting at Middleweight, as that is where the 'money' was.

He usually walked around at 155 lbs. on hs 5' 11 1/2" frame.

Nate 'Nat' Collins 24-14-0 (15 KO's) - was a good tough veteran Middleweight from the
'west coast', who had been on a pretty good run, winning '8 of 9 bouts' when he came to
Philadelphia in March 1972. He was supposed to give Cyclone a 'good' work-out, but
in no way was he supposed to bust him and 'stop him'.

It was a 'shocker'.

Newspaper Headline.

'CYCLONE STOPPED BY A NAT'

Nate said the punch the Cyclone hit him with in the second round was like none other he had been hit with, but apparently Hart couldn't leave well enough alone because after Collins went down Hart followed it up with criticizems filled with "explicit language" that angered Collins awake, otherwise the fight would have likely been over. Nate said after the fight it was a mad house and that Harts girlfriend attacked him as they collected their pay checks.

[Rover]

155 Pounds,

Cyclone could easily make (154 lbs.) Light Middleweight in late-1971 and early-1972.

The only reason he was fighting at Middleweight, as that is where the 'money' was.

He usually walked around at 155 lbs. on hs 5' 11 1/2" frame.

Nate 'Nat' Collins 24-14-0 (15 KO's) - was a good tough veteran Middleweight from the
'west coast', who had been on a pretty good run, winning '8 of 9 bouts' when he came to
Philadelphia in March 1972. He was supposed to give Cyclone a 'good' work-out, but
in no way was he supposed to bust him and 'stop him'.

It was a 'shocker'.

Newspaper Headline.

'CYCLONE STOPPED BY A NAT'

When I saw "best" 155 pound fighter in the world, I went...
There's a 155 pound division?

[Rover]

155 Pounds,

Cyclone could easily make (154 lbs.) Light Middleweight in late-1971 and early-1972.

The only reason he was fighting at Middleweight, as that is where the 'money' was.

He usually walked around at 155 lbs. on hs 5' 11 1/2" frame.

Nate 'Nat' Collins 24-14-0 (15 KO's) - was a good tough veteran Middleweight from the
'west coast', who had been on a pretty good run, winning '8 of 9 bouts' when he came to
Philadelphia in March 1972. He was supposed to give Cyclone a 'good' work-out, but
in no way was he supposed to bust him and 'stop him'.

It was a 'shocker'.

Newspaper Headline.

'CYCLONE STOPPED BY A NAT'

Nate said the punch the Cyclone hit him with in the second round was like none other he had been hit with, but apparently Hart couldn't leave well enough alone because after Collins went down Hart followed it up with criticizems filled with "explicit language" that angered Collins awake, otherwise the fight would have likely been over. Nate said after the fight it was a mad house and that Harts girlfriend attacked him as they collected their pay checks.

What is it with some of these girlfriends?

[Rover]

Mr. Bon-and-Weave,

Cyclone never ever fully recovered from that RTD Loss.

He stayed away from the ring for over 1-Year, as the Philly Gym Rats were calling
him 'Heartless Hart' after that bout.

Funny thing about Matt Donovan -
Following the (L KO 2) to Cyclone Hart in (February 1972) and another (L KO 10) loss
in (June 1972) he goes on to Challenger for the World Light Middleweight Championhip
in October 1972.

Can anybody figure that one out...........

I guess it was better to be the Trinidad and Tobago Middleweight Champion, than a
Philadelphia Middleweight in 1972.......

WBA...

[Rover]

Mr. Bon-and-Weave,

Cyclone never ever fully recovered from that RTD Loss.

He stayed away from the ring for over 1-Year, as the Philly Gym Rats were calling
him 'Heartless Hart' after that bout.

Funny thing about Matt Donovan -
Following the (L KO 2) to Cyclone Hart in (February 1972) and another (L KO 10) loss
in (June 1972) he goes on to Challenge for the World Light Middleweight Championhip
in October 1972.

Can anybody figure that one out...........

I guess it was better to be the Trinidad and Tobago Middleweight Champion, than a
Philadelphia Middleweight in 1972.......

WBA...

Both the WBA and WBC approved Matt Donovan,,,,,,,,,W-T-F....

Whatever; they're interchangeable.

[Rover]

European Stars and Stripes

'BRISCOE - HART DRAW IN PHILLY 10-ROUNDER'

In what could only be desribed as a 'Battle of Philadelphia Hookers', both
#8 World-rated Middleweight - Bennie Briscoe and #10 Middleweight
Cyclone Hart engaged a vicious exchange of left and right hooks in front
of over 11,000 fans at The Spectrum.

Both Philly Middleweights traded powerful hooks round-after-round, and
neither gave no quarter as The Spectrum erupted during every exchange.

The 32 year-old veteran 'Bad Bennie' seemed to have a slight advantage
after a well fought Round 9, and entering Round 10 he had a '1-Point' lead
on this Scorecard.

But, Cyclone Hart rallied in the 'Last Round' by landing several vicious left
hooks on Bennie's bald head, and had him reeling towards the end of the Round.

The general feeling on the Streets of Philadelphia, was that the 'Cyclone' had
done the impossible, and did beat 'Bad Bennie' though the '3' Official had scored
the buot a 'Draw'.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... GU_dilCZeA

"neither gave no quarter"?

The writer of that article needs to take grammar lessons.

[Expug]

I have this fight on video. Hagler threw great combos and Hart tried to rough up Hagler with shots after the bell etc. Marvin never got flustered,just kept coming. Hart spit the bit between rounds late.

[Rover]

Round 4,

Marvin starts out with stiff right jabs and circles, while the taller {5' 11 1/2"} Hart stalks
the shorter (5' 9") Hagler.

At the {0:44 Mark} Marvin lands a hard right-left that drives Cyclone back to the ropes.
Marvis scores with 'medium-power' one-two's while keeping Cyclone on the ropes.

Suddenly at the {0:51 Mark} Cyclone lands a wicked left hook to Marvin's chin. Marvin
quickly backs out to center-ring.

But at the {1:16 Mark} Marvin rocks Cyclone with a right-left-right, and drives Cyclone back
to the ropes, and also opens up a cut high on Cyclone's right cheek-bone.

Cyclone comes back at the {1:38 Mark}, and drives Marvin backwards while switching to
a 'southpaw stance'. Cyclone forces Marvin to the ropes, and both exchange good crisp
punches.

Marvin finally drives Cyclone back at the {2:00 Mark), but also has a bloody nose. Marvin
rocks Cyclone with a good straight left hand to the chin, and Cyclone wobbles a bit
while backing up to the ropes.

Marvin stays steady, and scores again with 'medium-power' one-two's while Cyclone
looks a bit faded.

At the Bell, Marvin drops his hands, and Cyclone fires an 'after-the-bell' hard right hand on
Marvin's chin. Marvin is not affected by the punch.

Marvin wins round 4 {10-9}

Marvn looks fresh after Round 4. And a weary Cyclone is walked back to his corner by the
Referee.

You called him Marvis in the sentence before your description of what happened at 0:51.

[Rover]

I think after 'Cyclone' landed that wicked left hook to the jaw in Round 4,,,,,,,,Marvin thought he was 'Marvis'.......

Though Marvin was winning this bout, Cyclone was in excellent shape and was winging bombs. And he did 'nail'
Marvin a few times.

It proved that Marvin had a 'steel reinforced jaw'......

[klompton]

Hart got pissed off at his corner and quit.

[Rover]

Round 9,

Again, Cyclone Hart comes out 'stalking', and chases Marvin by slamming wide hooks.
Marvin stays on the defensive, and uses side-to-side movement while staying away
from the desperate Philly Middleweight.

At the {0:30 Mark} Marvin scores with light 'pecks', and goes back to circling. Cyclone
goes back to chasing, and at the {0:50 Mark} scores with some good punches, and drives
Marvin back.

At the {1:10 Mark} Cyclone drives Marvin to the right side ropes, and punches with everything
he's got, and does land 'two' good punches that draws blood from Marvin's nose.

Marvin goes to back to movement, as Cyclone looks completely frustrated, and does not
go after Marvin who stays outside. Cyclone stays stationary, and waits for Marvin to move in,
but the New England Middleweight stays at a distance, protecting his wide points lead.

Both fighters play cautious and rest over the last minute, and there is 'no action'.

At the Bell ending Round 8, Cyclone walks toward the far ropes, and yells at the Philadelphia
Officials sitting at Ringside. Hart's Trainer - sam Solomon rushes over and pulls Cyclone
back to the corner, and a heated discussion develops. Cyclone is 'not' hurt, but is visibly
upset.

After a minute of arguing, Cyclone refuses to come out for Round 9, and Referee - Tom Reed calls
a halt to the bout.

Round 8 is scored 'Even' {10-10}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joplin News (September 15, 1976)

'HAGLER TKO'S HART IN 9TH'

Marvin Hagler dominated Rounds 1 thru 5 last night at The Spectrum, including scoring
a 3rd-Round Knockdown. The New England Middleweight then cruised in Rounds 6, 7 and 8,
and frustrated Cyclone Hart of Philadelphia, who could not come out for Round 9.

Cyclone Hart was also penalized '2-Points', as 'twice' he hit Hagler after the bell in
what looked like deliberate punches.

Marvin improves to 29-2-1, and registered his 23rd Knockout. The impressive victory
should help Marvin enter the Top 10 of the Middleweight Rankings.

Cyclone Hart, who won the 1975 'Comeback Fighter of the Year' suffered his 2nd Knockout
loss this year, and falls to 29-7-1.



http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... VBH93iza2w

Your first line states "Round 9"

[Rover]

Round 9 - 1 :> Round 8



Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart...........strange behavior.

He was very mad at the Philadelphia Officials for penalizing him, a local fighter '2-Points'.

A few days later, he blamed them for ruining his career.

On Marvin Hagler, 'He's strong, but he cannot punch that hard. He has a good right hand,
but he had nothing special after the 5th-Round. Bennie will do him harm.'

Benny didn't do him that much harm.

[Rover]

Marvin didn't stay around in Philly after beating Cyclone Hart,,,,,,,,,

He went back up to Boston for bouts in,
* December 1976
* February 1977
* March 1977

He had an offer to fight 34 year-old 'Bad Bennie' in May 1977, and then in July 1977 at The Spectrum,,,,,,,,,

NO NO, I'll stay here in Boston,,,,,,,

They fought at the Spectrum.

[LobowolfXXX]

He already had his fill of hometown decisions against Philly fighters. Spectrum promoter RussellmPeltz apologized to Hagler's handlers after the Watts decision, and Monroe wasn't much better.

[pbchron]

I attended all of Hagler's fights in Philadelphia. Monroe clearly beat Hagler in their first fight. Even the Petronelli's and Hagler admitted they lost. Hagler to this day still says that the 1st Monroe fight is the only one he legitimately lost (in his opinion).

[BoxBuzz]

Woah...are we in agreement that Willie really did give him a lesson the first time around?

Must be that ol' "military timing".

Sadly all we have are the reports.....no film that I'm aware of.

[pbchron]

There is no footage of the 1st Monroe - Hagler fight because of a blizzard that night in Philadelphia. The crew hired to film the event was unable to make it. Only 3,459 fans showed up at the Spectrum because of the snow.

[BoxBuzz]

Cuz it would be a cold day in hell when Marvin could be beaten....so it met the criteria.

[scorpio83]

Il Duce,

I would please like to know how good was Eugene "Cyclone" Hart? I know that he had a monstrous left hook one of the hardest left hooks in middleweight history as one of his strengths and was his power punch. Also, his other strengths was his aggressiveness and power. His style was sleek power-puncher-slugger. One of his weaknesses that his chin was fair that his 8 out of his 9 losses were knockouts.

How good was his skills, left jab, right hand, speed, stamina, body attack, defense, durability, footwork and ring general?

[scorpio83]

Sorry something wrong with my maintenance with this website and I post the same question several times.