MightyWarrior wrote:If Hagler had explained his tactics beforehand - I'm going to walk right into Hearns take his best punches, then fire back - you might think he was about to commit suicide - but they were the perfect tactics of course.
Whilst on this subject a few years ago in an interview for Boxing News Hagler was asked
"What do you miss most about Boxing?"
Hagler replied "Takin' a good shot".
Hagler is my favourite MIddleweight of all time and like you all say his fight against Thomas Hearns is pure class.
I think I shall watch it tonight as a mark of respect to two REAL fighters.
Amazing fight. Could argue it as 'fight of the 80s', though I prefer Arguello - Pryor... but it changes from time to time. Also got to take into account all the featherweight wars near the beginning of the decade.
Hagler vs Leonard was THE fight for me. Most anticipated fight I think I have been born in. Made the front cover of the TV times - my have times changed.
MightyWarrior wrote:
The story about Hearns' legs, I believe, was Manny said his legs felt weak before the fight in the dressing room ( over trained maybe ) so Manny gave him a leg massage right before he went out - which made it even worse.
Not quite how Manny put it in the interview on the BBC.
He said he was rushing around you know talking to the various commision etc - and one of Hearns' mates (or assistance to Steward) did the massage - without Manny being there. Manny was mighty angered that he got back to hear that Hearns had had this massage
I know I am going to be in the minority here but I actually think the fight between Hagler and Hearns is a tad overated. No denying it was one of the great fights in history - but the greatest? I think Ali vs Frazier III, Morales vs Barrera 1, Benn vs McLellan, Foreman vs Lyle are all stronger contendors.
It is probably just me but in the surely 100 times I have seen the fight full I think people overate the trouble Hagler was in. I just don't think he was that badly hurt and his biggest danger was from the cut. When I saw the fight on ITV, of course I was thrilled by it - but never ever doubted that Hagler was going to win. Same with the replays - even in the first I think Hagler looked the stronger and I just never looked hurt by Hearns, whereas the opposite couldn't be said for Tommy.
A cert for the top ten greatest fights in history no doubt, but I don't think it makes the top 5.
