BoxRec

We haven't yet seen Crawford at 160. Bur let's explore the plot where he moves down from SMW to MW and takes on Hagler from the Leonard fight.

1987 Hagler was still a Lineal champ at MW and de-facto The Undisputed MW Champ (even if WBA and IBF stripped him off their belts before the Leonard fight). But even though he appeared past it, many believe he should've still won that SRL fight.

Crawford is 38 years old, but seems to have saved himself nicely at this age. Coming off his biggest career win and a special achievement, but arguably against Canelo who has seen better days.

How do you think Crawford performs against Hagler, if he is to take Leonard's place in the ring?

Hagler wins a decision. Bud doesn't fly around the ring like SRL did and that's what it's gonna take to beat Hagler, even in 1987.

goose 5 wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 20:05 Hagler wins a decision. Bud doesn't fly around the ring like SRL did and that's what it's gonna take to beat Hagler, even in 1987.

Don't you think that the movement (and overall strategy) that Bud employed against Canelo would've been enough against 1987 Hagler?

I don't.

Pre-1987, Marvelous wins by knockout.

After 1987, any top ten contender that night, even the old Roberto Duran of the Iran Barkley fight, beats Marvelous. It was Hagler's worst performance of his career.

2128778 wrote: ↑16 Nov 2025, 04:18

goose 5 wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 20:05 Hagler wins a decision. Bud doesn't fly around the ring like SRL did and that's what it's gonna take to beat Hagler, even in 1987.

Don't you think that the movement (and overall strategy) that Bud employed against Canelo would've been enough against 1987 Hagler?

Yes! It would have been enough. Marvelous fought like crap against Sugar Ray Leonard that night.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑17 Nov 2025, 17:29 Pre-1987, Marvelous wins by knockout.

After 1987, any top ten contender that night, even the old Roberto Duran of the Iran Barkley fight, beats Marvelous. It was Hagler's worst performance of his career.

I've never seen his other losses but I'd bet those were worse performances.

I personally thought he fought to a Draw with Leonard, but everyone figured he was gonna kill him so Leonard edging a close one seemed about right since it was Leonard who had defied expectations with his performance.

Crawford stylistically is a whole different ballgame than Leonard. Much less foot movement, less quick burst combinations, but probably as much or more accuracy overall. I think it would've ultimately probably wound up looking quite similar really.

Crawford vs Canelo is essentially the Hagler vs Leonard of this era.