Marvin Hagler the "go to guy" in the 80's
Posted: 09 Apr 2020, 00:15
Back when Hagler was Champion, it was commonplace for literally everyone to call out Hagler whether they meant it or not.A few of them actually did,like Hearns,Duran,and Leonard,but a host of others claimed or their managers did,want to fight him.
One that actually did,was John the Beast Mugabi.I remember after ko'ing tough middleweight Curtis Parker in a round the talk of him wanting Hagler.I remember a magazine article after Mugabi fought James Hardrock Green.
"Mugabi calls for Hagler and gets Hardrock Green. That's like calling for Julia Child and getting the guy the browns the buns at McDonald's" it said.
Mugabi made good though and eventually fought Hagler competitively for 11 rds before losing.
But everyone.Bobby Czyz who i liked.Czyz choked against Hamsho who was butchered twice by Hagler.
Benitez another I liked.And no disrespect to Benitez but all the flash and panache wouldn't have saved him from a ko.
Alex Ramos,Donald Curry,Davey Moore,Tony Ayala,Dwight Davison,Wilford Scypion were some of the guys claiming they wanted a piece of Hagler.
None of these guys had a chance but said they wanted him.I even remember Irish John Collins(I'm trying not to laugh writing this one) had the gall to talk about it.Keeping in mind Collins was almost knocked into another dimension by Tony Sibson,a very tough fighter that was easily butchered by Hagler.
In the 80's talking about fighting Hagler was the thing to do if you were 147 lbs and up.
Really meaning it was a different story.
One that actually did,was John the Beast Mugabi.I remember after ko'ing tough middleweight Curtis Parker in a round the talk of him wanting Hagler.I remember a magazine article after Mugabi fought James Hardrock Green.
"Mugabi calls for Hagler and gets Hardrock Green. That's like calling for Julia Child and getting the guy the browns the buns at McDonald's" it said.
Mugabi made good though and eventually fought Hagler competitively for 11 rds before losing.
But everyone.Bobby Czyz who i liked.Czyz choked against Hamsho who was butchered twice by Hagler.
Benitez another I liked.And no disrespect to Benitez but all the flash and panache wouldn't have saved him from a ko.
Alex Ramos,Donald Curry,Davey Moore,Tony Ayala,Dwight Davison,Wilford Scypion were some of the guys claiming they wanted a piece of Hagler.
None of these guys had a chance but said they wanted him.I even remember Irish John Collins(I'm trying not to laugh writing this one) had the gall to talk about it.Keeping in mind Collins was almost knocked into another dimension by Tony Sibson,a very tough fighter that was easily butchered by Hagler.
In the 80's talking about fighting Hagler was the thing to do if you were 147 lbs and up.
Really meaning it was a different story.