Marvin Hagler vs. Jamie Thomas
Marvin Hagler 158 lbs beat Jamie Thomas 158 lbs by TKO at 2:38 in round 3 of 10
- Date: 1979-05-25
- Location: Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, USA
- Referee: Pete Bennett
"Marvelous Marvin" didn't need to show Maine fans many of his ring-wise moves to record another knockout in his explosive career. The number-one contender for the World Middleweight Championship, who gains that chance in September, put a lanky young Cincinnati boxer out of commission in less than three fast rounds here at the Civic Center. Brockton's Marvin Hagler celebrated his birthday his 27th birthday in smashing style by belting Jamie Thomas through the ropes on two sides of the ring in the third round to gain the TKO decision.
Hagler opened the third round with his awesome arsenal full of fire. Two smashing rights spun Thomas to the canvas and rolled him onto the apron at the press table. When the Ohio battler regained his feet after the eight-count, Hagler nailed him with short, savage rights.
Hagler forced the youngster into the ropes and rained a flurry of sharp punches that forced Thomas through the strands. Thomas appeared dazed as he slumped through the ropes.
Referee Pete Bennett jumped between the pair and waved Hagler off. "No more. No More," Bennett yelled.
For Hagler, it was his 48th professional fight. He plans to have one more before he gets his long-awaited title match in the fall.
Thomas (15-4) was a substitute opponent after Canadian Gerald Bouchard was hurt in training a week ago. The Cincinnati youngster will probably observe the weekend with a headache.
Hagler asked for the ring microphone after the fight and invited the crowd "to sing happy birthday to me". The fans obliged... twice.
Prior to the feature bout, Ira Waldman of the State Athletic Commission offered a memorial tribute to the late fellow commissioner George Poulos of Portland. The crowd observed a standing silence until the timekeeper sounded "the final bell."
- Source: Gage, Fred. "Hagler receives birthday gift" Lewiston Evening Journal (1979, May 26) p. 14. Article
- Hagler's original opponent on this date was due to be Mike Hallacy, who was forced to bow out from an eye injury. Hallacy was substituted by Gerald Boucher who was then forced to pull out with an hand injury, before the promoter brought in Jamie Thomas.