marvin hagler

[Rover]

Duran's right hand may have been the most accurate punch in history. I totally disagree that Marvin struggled to lead, he was equally efficient pressing forward and going backwards. He didn't have a weakness. He definitely gave Duran too much respect imo, it was his first super fight and he was facing a legend. Though I suppose you can hold that against him in mythical fights because his prime was close to over, or already over at that point.

I think he was not as efficient when leading. Duran was the first challenger to go the distance because, imo, he was the first to try and counter Hagler. I think it's telling that Hagler also lost to Monroe early on in his career. He also had a very hard time with Finnegan.

Anyone who went to Hagler got mowed down. I don't think there's a guy who could beat him like that at 160. The moment a guy countered Hagler their chances of winning improved.

Monroe was a good fighter, Marvin made adjustments and stopped him twice with pressure. He was hell on guys in rematches, very underrated thinker in the ring. I've honestly never heard this criticism before. The only fight I saw him uncomfortable coming forward in was against Briscoe, and Bennie was a slab of concrete.

If we're going to talk about Monroe I (which I don't believe was filmed--I've never seen it), should we discuss Monzon's three early losses?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I don't know those fighters, Willie was a slickster so he's a valid mention for the type of fighters that could cause Hagler trouble. He's also a guy who got walked down and stomped. That's the only one of the three that I have on DVD.

[Rover]

I don't know those fighters, Willie was a slickster so he's a valid mention for the type of fighters that could cause Hagler trouble. He's also a guy who got walked down and stomped. That's the only one of the three that I have on DVD.

I don't know those who defeated Monzon, either, but the losses were early in their careers. I've never seen Hagler/Monroe II, either.

[Expug]

Marvin knew that going into Philly and Fighting "the iron" as he called those guys was gonna be a tall order but he did it with the vision of fighting the toughest in order to become the best. That's the whole thing about Hagler that made him such a great fighter. I believe the decision to do that was what defined his entire career. And,here's another important thing,his trainers and management,Pat and Goody Petronelli had the confidence in him to beat these guys and make a name for himself. What I'm saying is Hagler was never protected and he embraced that. "Gimme the toughest guys around".

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Marvin knew that going into Philly and Fighting "the iron" as he called those guys was gonna be a tall order but he did it with the vision of fighting the toughest in order to become the best. That's the whole thing about Hagler that made him such a great fighter. I believe the decision to do that was what defined his entire career. And,here's another important thing,his trainers and management,Pat and Goody Petronelli had the confidence in him to beat these guys and make a name for himself. What I'm saying is Hagler was never protected and he embraced that. "Gimme the toughest guys around".

His will was made of steel. I've always admired that about him as well, he took the toughest road to be the best of any modern fighter. So much so that he virtually cleaned out the division on the way to the title. I don't recall exactly, but he was the consensus #1 Middle for many years before he got his shot.

I also love how after the Antuofermo robbery( and don't let Cosell or anyone fool you, that was horrid) he decided that judges weren't going to be a part of his fights anymore. The fact that Duran going the distance is used against him so much puzzles me, not an easy man to finish.

I was a hearns and Duran guy, so I often rooted against Marvin, but I always respected him and I respect him even more as time passes. Great fighter, honorable man, consummate professional, the real fornicating deal.

[Rover]

Marvin knew that going into Philly and Fighting "the iron" as he called those guys was gonna be a tall order but he did it with the vision of fighting the toughest in order to become the best. That's the whole thing about Hagler that made him such a great fighter. I believe the decision to do that was what defined his entire career. And,here's another important thing,his trainers and management,Pat and Goody Petronelli had the confidence in him to beat these guys and make a name for himself. What I'm saying is Hagler was never protected and he embraced that. "Gimme the toughest guys around".

His will was made of steel. I've always admired that about him as well, he took the toughest road to be the best of any modern fighter. So much so that he virtually cleaned out the division on the way to the title. I don't recall exactly, but he was the consensus #1 Middle for many years before he got his shot.

I also love how after the Antuofermo robbery( and don't let Cosell or anyone fool you, that was horrid) he decided that judges weren't going to be a part of his fights anymore. The fact that Duran going the distance is used against him so much puzzles me, not an easy man to finish.

I was a hearns and Duran guy, so I often rooted against Marvin, but I always respected him and I respect him even more as time passes. Great fighter, honorable man, consummate professional, the real effing deal.

He's my favorite middle.

[dr_devious]

Watching Marvin in the 80s got me into boxing, particularly the wars with Hearns and Mugabi. The guy is an absolute legend

[Expug]

Marvins team deserve respect as well. I have huge repect for how they took Marvin from day one and how Marvin also was totaly loyal to the Petronellis. Those guys also moved Marvin perfectly and I thought that they were fantastic in the corner. Calm,measured. It was perfect. People were critical of them in the Leonard fight saying they should have been more animated trying to light a fire under Hagler. That's not what got them there. Again,these guys were with Marvin since he was a kid starting out. He started with Pat and Goody Petronelli and he finished with them. And you KNOW the usual cast of clowns that must have been sniffing around tryin to lure Marvin away. Also,there were times where it seemed like Marvin wasn't gonna get his shot at the title. He still stayed with his guys and the result? One of the greatest ever. And that's where its at.

[Counter-puncher]

some really good posts there

[Datsue]

Marvins team deserve respect as well. I have huge repect for how they took Marvin from day one and how Marvin also was totaly loyal to the Petronellis. Those guys also moved Marvin perfectly and I thought that they were fantastic in the corner. Calm,measured. It was perfect. People were critical of them in the Leonard fight saying they should have been more animated trying to light a fire under Hagler. That's not what got them there. Again,these guys were with Marvin since he was a kid starting out. He started with Pat and Goody Petronelli and he finished with them. And you KNOW the usual cast of clowns that must have been sniffing around tryin to lure Marvin away. Also,there were times where it seemed like Marvin wasn't gonna get his shot at the title. He still stayed with his guys and the result? One of the greatest ever. And that's where its at.

Fantastic post mate.

[Expug]

Marvins team deserve respect as well. I have huge repect for how they took Marvin from day one and how Marvin also was totaly loyal to the Petronellis. Those guys also moved Marvin perfectly and I thought that they were fantastic in the corner. Calm,measured. It was perfect. People were critical of them in the Leonard fight saying they should have been more animated trying to light a fire under Hagler. That's not what got them there. Again,these guys were with Marvin since he was a kid starting out. He started with Pat and Goody Petronelli and he finished with them. And you KNOW the usual cast of clowns that must have been sniffing around tryin to lure Marvin away. Also,there were times where it seemed like Marvin wasn't gonna get his shot at the title. He still stayed with his guys and the result? One of the greatest ever. And that's where its at.

Fantastic post mate.

I really appreciate that Thank You

[NazNaci1]

Marvins team deserve respect as well. I have huge repect for how they took Marvin from day one and how Marvin also was totaly loyal to the Petronellis. Those guys also moved Marvin perfectly and I thought that they were fantastic in the corner. Calm,measured. It was perfect. People were critical of them in the Leonard fight saying they should have been more animated trying to light a fire under Hagler. That's not what got them there. Again,these guys were with Marvin since he was a kid starting out. He started with Pat and Goody Petronelli and he finished with them. And you KNOW the usual cast of clowns that must have been sniffing around tryin to lure Marvin away. Also,there were times where it seemed like Marvin wasn't gonna get his shot at the title. He still stayed with his guys and the result? One of the greatest ever. And that's where its at.

A legendary gentlemen and fighter. Genuinely could do it all and as tough as they come. Top, top class fighter and man.

[Rover]

Marvins team deserve respect as well. I have huge repect for how they took Marvin from day one and how Marvin also was totaly loyal to the Petronellis. Those guys also moved Marvin perfectly and I thought that they were fantastic in the corner. Calm,measured. It was perfect. People were critical of them in the Leonard fight saying they should have been more animated trying to light a fire under Hagler. That's not what got them there. Again,these guys were with Marvin since he was a kid starting out. He started with Pat and Goody Petronelli and he finished with them. And you KNOW the usual cast of clowns that must have been sniffing around tryin to lure Marvin away. Also,there were times where it seemed like Marvin wasn't gonna get his shot at the title. He still stayed with his guys and the result? One of the greatest ever. And that's where its at.

Fantastic post mate.

I really appreciate that Thank You

Agree also.
Excellent post.

[bollox]

Hagler was consistent in the way he lived his life and loyalty was at the top of his priorities

The Petronellis werre great for Marvin and the arrangement worked both ways once he made it. I know he'd been approached by people telling him the Petronellis would rip him off etc etc once he stared making a name for himself. Marvin's reply was always the same....the Petronellis gave me a job when I didn't have one (literally) and they were there when I was a struggling young fighter. Where the hell were you when I was struggling???

[Jaywheel]

I respect him even more as time passes. Great fighter, honorable man, consummate professional, the real effing deal.

so true

[Bricks]

would pay serious money to know for a fact how Marvin Hagler would have faired against Carlos Monzon, James Toney, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones. Would also like to know how he would have done against the great 168 pounders that followed him. Would pay a king's ransom to know how he would have done against Michael Spinks at a catch weight. Spinks would have done it but Marvin was a middleweight through and through.

Any thoughts?

Its not a stretch to imagine he would deal easily with Toney and Jones jnr . Toney struglled with a 36 year old mccallum. Any version of Hagler beats Toney. The faded 87 incarnation may struggle with Jones's speed slightly but he would nail and knock out Jones in the corner at some point.
Monzon, Hopkins,Spinks those are fights worth talking about.

He would have stopped easily the Mclellan, Benn,Eubanks's, of this world and would have beaten the Calzaghe and Wards, and Ottkes if thats what u mean by great 168 pounders that followed.... but a very good question nonetheless

[Bricks]

I wouldn't bet two dollars against Hagler against any great middleweight of all time. He had gears that other fighters simply didn't have. I never saw him hurt or even winded in any of his fights. He likely could have beaten any middle weight of all time including Robinson (heresy), Monzon, Ketchel, Walker
or anyone else. Notice I said "could have".

His only flaw as that he played down his game against lesser and smaller fighters. This he did regularly. If he "went for it" as he did against Hearns and Mintor he would have been the equal against any of the all time greats. I, for one, think he would outwork Monzon, Toney, Jones and Hopkins. The wildcard in this is Roy Jones who is the definition of a "superfreak". Even then I think he would win a fifteen round decision as well. The Roy Jones that fought Toney at 168 was supernatural. I'll leave it up to the reader whether or not he was "jacked up" illegally or not. That cat, that night, at 168 pounds was
something we aren't likely to see ever again.

I wasn't Hagler's biggest fan but he was everything and more that you could ever want in a fighter. His chin was made of steel, his stamina was supreme, and his skills were world class. In closing, I'll say once again, his achilles heel was that he took smaller, lesser fighters for granted and it ultimately cost him against Ray Leonard. Even then the outcome was highly in doubt.

What the hell was so "superfreak" about him that night in 94 against Toney? he was fighting a weight bloated/drained zombie a husk of a man that night...but even what he did do he was hardly ray robinson of even ray leonard lite...... Jones always had an issue with his chain and being pushed hard by a high class operator and Hagler would have cut off the ring would have put on a masterclass of aggressive skilled boxing.....BHOP in his very peak around 2000 would be a much tougher opponent I really think he would push Hagler very hard in 2 fights and lose closely on points but there would be no controversy Hagler would be better