BoxRec

Yes dudes, blokes and mates, it was 33 years ago today that Hagler and Hearns hooked up in that legendary encounter known simply as "The War" or "The Eight Great Minutes."

The breathtaking bout elevated Hagler to true superstar status, and delayed Hearns' quest for that signature win.

Two things you always remember from that bout:

1) Hearns landing a devastating right hand in the first round that froze Hagler and stopped him in his tracks...for about a half second.

After shaking off Hearns' best punch, the Marvelous One resumed his ferocious assault and Hearns probably knew irt was over.

2) A rubbery Hearns left limp and spaghetti legged from a bloodied Hagler's finishing salvo in the third round.

And then a cornerman gently picking up the fallen Kronk fighter and carrying him back to safety.

Great, memorable scenes. Too bad the rematch never materialized.

It just about happened, but then Sugar Ray Leonard rematerialized and Hagler's focus went elsewhere.

The quote I remember is "nine minutes of mayhem"

I think it fell a minute short, but mayhem it was. Classic mayhem.

It was something, wasn't it? The pace and level they were fighting at were was incredible. In hindsight, Hearns didn't fight the smartest fight, but he made it fun to watch.

Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑15 Apr 2018, 21:47 It was something, wasn't it? The pace and level they were fighting at were was incredible. In hindsight, Hearns didn't fight the smartest fight, but he made it fun to watch.

Hearns would later claim that he left his legs in Florida, where he trained and also ran on the beach in MIami.

The Hit Man insisted that running in the sand sapped his leg strength. So when he climbed into the Caesar's Palace ring, Hearns knew that he couldn't move for 12 rounds and instead had to stand and trade punches.

A valid explanation for why Hearns eschewed an intelligent boxing strategy?

Or just another excuse to try and explain away a high profile defeat?