Marvin Hagler vs. Kevin Finnegan (1st meeting)

Marvin Hagler 158 lbs beat Kevin Finnegan 160 lbs by RTD at 3:00 in round 8 of 10

• Date: 1978-03-04
• Location: Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Referee: Billy Connelly

"Marvin Hagler, yearning for a world title fight against Rodrigo Valdes, stopped former British and European champion Kevin Finnegan on an 8th round TKO Saturday night at Boston Garden. Despite several gashes, including a cut over his left cheekbone that gushed blood, Finnegan scored consistently with straight rights in the last two rounds. When he was unable to come out for the 9th round, the fight went into the books as an 8th round TKO under Massachusetts boxing rules." -Associated Press

• Marvin Hagler was already signed to fight Doug Demmings on April 7th going into this bout.

Post fight comments

• "The best fight in Boston in 20 years." -Promoter Frankie Valenti

• "I was hurting him. I'd have won if I was able to continue." -Kevin Finnegan

• "He's a respected fighter. I gave him a blood bath but I rate the guy with having a lot of guts." -Marvin Hagler