Second best boxer of all time. His power, speed and agility of boxing was amazing and I think he was truly world class. He would of beat ray robinson and I think he would of maybe knocked out Ali if he was heavyweight!
Second best boxer of all time. His power, speed and agility of boxing was amazing and I think he was truly world class. He would of beat ray robinson and I think he would of maybe knocked out Ali if he was heavyweight!
His speed was solid in his prime, nothing special. His power was good, but usually more of a "break you down" type guy, not a freakish Julian Jackson type puncher. He was pretty agile in his younger days, such as the Briscoe fight, and had good lateral movement for the majority of his career.
What he had that was really great was his jab, punch resistance, conditioning, and versatility. Not only to box from both orthodox and southpaw, but to fight in different styles. He turned from boxer to balls-to-the-wall swarmer against a fighter/puncher the caliber of Thomas Hearns and did it to perfection.
I only had him losing one fight of the fights I've seen. I thought he beat Watts the first time and had him drawing with Leonard. Also beating Antufermo when they drew. I haven't seen his other draw with Seales to judge that one.
He's not second best ever, but he is definitely one of my favorites and I think the best middleweight ever. I'd take Hagler over the rest of the foursome of Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and Duran.
Hagler could fight anyway he had to, and was able to just walk through the right hand of Tommy Hearns.