Sugar Ray vs Marvelous Marvin in '82: What if...?

[elmersalsa]

By 1982, there was speculation of a big super money fight between these two great fighters in their primes. We know that they fought in 1987, five years too late. But, we believe that in 1982, it would have been one of the greatest fights in boxing history if the great Sugar Ray Leonard would have never had that detached retina. The sport suffered a BIG BLOW when he retired so suddenly at age 26. The great Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the Undisputed World Middleweight Champion, was also in his complete prime at age 28. We as boxing fans had matchups between the world Welterweight champion vs the world middleweight champion many times:
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Jake LaMotta
Mickey Walker vs Harry Greb
Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles vs Carlos Monzon
Carmen Basilio vs Sugar Ray Robinson
Benny "Kid" Paret vs Gene Fullmer
Kid Gavilan vs Bobo Olson

But, I know, that Sugar Ray vs Marvelous in '82 had the ingredients of one of the most anticipated and intriguing matchups ever. This one looked like a total winner. A fight that would have had us in the edge of our seats. Two complete fighters. Two Undisputed champions. The two best fighters pound per pound of the time. Pay per view sales would have gone to the roof! And not to mention the hoopla and promotion. I would have put this fight in terms of anticipation at the same level as Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier I, Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard I, Sugar Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns I, Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling II, Jack Johnson vs James J. Jeffries and Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman. We know that it would have been a superb fight. Way much better than the one they did in '87.

Who wins and why? The year is 1982 or 1983.

[goose 5]

Hagler would win. By the time 1987 came around, Marvin wasn't close to his peak. Even still, Leonard's win after that layoff was great.

[elmersalsa]

I believe that Sugar Ray would have received a hefty payday of about between $15 to $20 million dollars for this fight. Marvelous would have gotten like $8 to $10 million. How much money is that in today's dollars? An estimation, please?

[goose 5]

A buck in 1982 would be about 3 today.

[elmersalsa]

A buck in 1982 would be about 3 today.

So in today's dollars, Leonard would have made around $60 million?

[oogiebe]

Hagler would win. By the time 1987 came around, Marvin wasn't close to his peak. Even still, Leonard's win after that layoff was great.

I thought Hagler won the first fight. SRL stole rounds by only fighting hard the last 30 seconds.

[Ambling Alp II]

He won because he was better. When they fought in 1987, Hagler was closer to his best than Leonard was to his best. And Leonard still won.
In 1982, Hagler would have been better, but Leonard would have been a lot better. Leonard wins a decision more easily than in 1987. Hagler whines that he got robbed.

[Onetimeonly]

I think hagler would win 5 years earlier but you have to remember that Leonard's stamina would have been much better then. If Marvin froze under the lights like he did against Duran he'd lose wide.

[Nile4000]

I think Marvin wins by wide decision, he would get to Ray late in the fight, with Leonard barely hanging on from Hagler's onslaught.

[Duran1970]

I thought Hagler won the first fight. SRL stole rounds by only fighting hard the last 30 seconds.

X2

[Ambling Alp II]

If only we could find the elusive 7 rounds that Hagler deserved to win.

[oogiebe]

If only we could find the elusive 7 rounds that Hagler deserved to win.

LOL! Try watching the fight! LMAO!

[Jaywheel]

I thought Hagler won the first fight. SRL stole rounds by only fighting hard the last 30 seconds.

Who'd you think won the rematch?

So in today's dollars, Leonard would have made around $60 million?

Yes elmer. 20x3. 60.

[oogiebe]

Who'd you think won the rematch?

You mean who do I think would? This thread poses the rematch.

[elmersalsa]

A big super fight that supposed to happen in '82 passes us by. I really didn't like the '87 fight. Something wasn't right that night. And I rooted for Sugar Ray. I never liked Marvelous. When he fought Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns, I also picked them to beat him. But, I had a lot of respect for that man. Man, he was awesome! I am not sure if I am going to see another Marvelous in my lifetime. Or see a Duran, Hearns or Leonard ever again. Those 4 were too great to be true.

Leonard vs Hagler in their complete primes. This time for 15 rounds. Madison Square Garden in New York City or Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Boxing robbed us this one.

[Duran1970]

Ray admittedly waited...he always knew they were gonna fight...when it happened wasn't a coincidence.

[Ambling Alp II]

Well the longer he waited, and stayed out of the ring, the more it favored Hagler. Hagler had the advantages. Leonard still beat him. Why? Because as great as Hagler was, Leonard that much better than him. All the crybaby excuses in the world doesn't change that.

[gregor]

Well the longer he waited, and stayed out of the ring, the more it favored Hagler. Hagler had the advantages. Leonard still beat him. Why?

Leonard also got a couple of advantages. Hagler agreed for 12 rounds instead of (then) usual 15, for larger ring and bigger gloves. I believe it made a difference as the fight was close.

[oogiebe]

Well the longer he waited, and stayed out of the ring, the more it favored Hagler. Hagler had the advantages. Leonard still beat him. Why? Because as great as Hagler was, Leonard that much better than him. All the crybaby excuses in the world doesn't change that.

Waiting longer favored Hagler? How?

[Ambling Alp II]

Because Hagler was active while Leonard was not. Leonard had to overcome a lot of ring rust. Go back over 120 years of boxing. How often did a guy go that long and beat a great fighter? I have asked this question before, and nobody can come up with another example.
This was a historically significant victory and people should think of that way, instead of making lame excuses for Hagler.

[oogiebe]

Because Hagler was active while Leonard was not. Leonard had to overcome a lot of ring rust. Go back over 120 years of boxing. How often did a guy go that long and beat a great fighter? I have asked this question before, and nobody can come up with another example.
This was a historically significant victory and people should think of that way, instead of making lame excuses for Hagler.

What lame excuse did I post about Hagler?

[Ambling Alp II]

Wasn't talking about you specifically. Though the stealing rounds comment is baloney.

[oogiebe]

Wasn't talking about you specifically. Though the stealing rounds comment is baloney.

I've seen the fight several times and I stand by that.

[HomicideHenry]

Hagler was robbed (imho) but not by alot. It was a fun competitive fight. That being said--- had they fought in 1982, I think Hagler would have cleaned his clock. He could be losing going into the 12th round (ie, Duran) and come back strong to win a 15 round decision.

[cfang]

Hagler in 82 would stop Leonard. The hearns and mugabi fights were wars and took something from Marvin.