Middleweights: Marvin Hagler vs James Toney

[AntonioMartin]

I have an ongoing facebook argument with someone who described Marvelous Marvin Hagler as nothing special. I quote him: "Toney was being outboxed by Michael Nunn and stopped him late...Hagler's era didn't have Michael Nunn's, Iran Barkley's, Kalambay's, Julian Jackson's Mike McCallum's, Roy Jones Jr's, James Toney's Reggie Johnsons, Steve Collins and such like that came behind him....Tony was a special boxer....Hagler was blue collar and workman like nothing special. Roy was special with special effects like Tony McCallum was blue collar with much better defense which is why McCalum, Tony, Roy all moved up multiple weight classes and both McCallum and Tony have never been stopped"

I think Hagler would win by unanimous decision. So to you all I ask, who, how and why??

[AntonioMartin]

I quote this dude again.."Michael Nunn was pegged as the next Ray Leonard sir. He also boxed like Leonard and was southpaw. If he didn't go to prison he would have done even more wonders. But hey since Hagler never faced him you can talk that junk...but Nun would have boxed rings around Hagler guaranteed. If Willie the Worm, Sugar Ray Seales & Bobby Watts beat Hagler (all of them were boxers btw) you telling me Michael Nunn at 6'1" with a 77" reach is going to be beaten by Hagler and no Nunn does not fight stupid like Hearns so don't even go there.
Michael Nunn has stopped Juan Domingo Roldan faster than Hagler did. He beat up Iran Barkley, was beating James Toney's ass before he got too cocky and gave Tony the opportunity to gauge him within range and catch him.
No 1 else has ever done that to Nunn who ended up campaigning at Light Heavyweight....Light Heavyweight man!
Dude you got to know your history before talking.
Hagler is a smaller guy than these guys and the fact that he never fucked with anyone at the higher weight classes is because his defense was not good enough and his style to vulnerable to getting hit for him to mess with those bigger boys man!
U hyping up Hagler too much....all those boys I just talked about have superior defenses to Hagler which is why they made it all the way up to Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight.
Wake up. One of Hagler's opponents Domingo Roldan who dropped him Nunn cleaned up like he was a nobody!!!
Different generation different breed.
U know too little and way too nostalgic to realise there were much better boxers and fighters than Hagler.
U guys gotta learn some boxing. U guys get caught up in the hype too easily."

[elmersalsa]

Marvelous by decision in a tough fight. Split decision.

[gilgamesh]

Hagler would win by decision, and it wouldn't be a split decision. It'd be a wide Unanimous Decision.

[Noxy]

Hagler for me too, pts.

[goose 5]

Seales never beat Hagler and Watts' "victory" over Hagler was a robbery. Also, Hagler was very sick when he lost to Monroe- bronchitis. Having said all that, Nunn and Toney were very good middleweights and Hagler wouldn't have an easy time with either but, imo, he beats both. With the exception of Hearns, I'd take Nunn and Toney over anyone whom Hagler defeated without hesitation.

[Woldemar]

Hagler UD

[DrDuke]

Hagler would vastly outwork Toney and land more of telling blows to secure a confident dec.

[Onetimeonly]

Hagler would vastly outwork Toney and land more of telling blows to secure a confident dec.

[scorpio83]

The Marvelous One would outwork Toney with more aggression and take a UD in a close fight.

[Post 4 Post]

Great matchup between 2 durable, tough chinned fighters, with plenty of skills.

JT had the quicker hands, more power & arguably the more skilled of the two.
JT would find success with counters & some uppercuts on Hagler moving in.
However there wouldn't be enough of these moments as Hagler's skills, pace would mug Toney for majority of the rounds to get a close but clear UD

[emallini]

Toney with the upset

[zuru]

Great matchup between 2 durable, tough chinned fighters, with plenty of skills.

JT had the quicker hands, more power & arguably the more skilled of the two.
JT would find success with counters & some uppercuts on Hagler moving in.
However there wouldn't be enough of these moments as Hagler's skills, pace would mug Toney for majority of the rounds to get a close but clear UD

I have to disagree.No way does Toney punch harder.He was a sharp puncher not so much a power puncher.And Toney was an excellent fighter but Hagler was no plodder and highly skilled. One of the very best switch hitters ive seen.He would switch so smoothly sometimes mid combination.He could do it all.

Toney tired on a few occasions due to his conditioning. Hagler trained like a Spartan
Hagler & could keep pace with the best.

Boxing,slugging,stalking counterpunching,going forward,backward.

And to the comment about moving up,I don't ever remember hearing of Hagler desiring to do anything except excel at Middleweight which he did.

Toney is a prick in real life but he was a great fighter but to me Hagler beats him decisively.Hagler belongs in the Top 3 Middleweights of all time.

[tiny_acres]

Hagler wins a ud scores around 9-6 over 15 rounds