Close encounters with Marvin Hagler

[solidman]

Hagler was the real deal. Every time he stepped into the ring you knew you would see a fight, unlike most of the clowns today who only fight for money.

[Bennyleonard99]

Hagler was the real deal. Every time he stepped into the ring you knew you would see a fight, unlike most of the clowns today who only fight for money.

I can't think of any top champion who personifies and symbolizes what a world champion should be like. He is the ultimate face of this sport IMO. The perfect ambassador and fighting machine who overcame corruption and politics and never really lost a fight decisively. I don't ever remember seeing him hurt.

[DeeMoney]

I've said this before, but Hagler is my all time favorite boxer in all of history. Unfortunately, I was just too young to have remembered any of his career while it was happening live.

Though he's often remembered for what he did later in his career, in fighting the rest of the kings, I always tell people to be sure to watch some earlier Hagler. Late 70s early 80s Hagler was, I believe, the most well rounded fighter in history. He could move, he could brawl, he could do it all.

[Bennyleonard99]

I've said this before, but Hagler is my all time favorite boxer in all of history. Unfortunately, I was just too young to have remembered any of his career while it was happening live.

Though he's often remembered for what he did later in his career, in fighting the rest of the kings, I always tell people to be sure to watch some earlier Hagler. Late 70s early 80s Hagler was, I believe, the most well rounded fighter in history. He could move, he could brawl, he could do it all.

Perfect fighting machine, body always chiseled from granite, never a soft spot. Perfect technique, perfect form, speed, power, accuracy, I saw every one of his TV fights and never remember seeing him hurt or in trouble. Hearns did not hurt him, he walked through Hitman's artillery like it was Howard Davis Jr. And above all, he was a class act with honor, integrity, respect, he was the quintessential champion. Wish he wrote a book about his incredible career.

[QueensburyRules]

There was nothing that anyone could dislike about Hagler. He was denied for years of his first title shot. Then he was robbed of the title in that first title shot (vs Antuofermo). Then he finally won the title vs Minter in London and the crowd treated him worse than a *********. Despite all the injustices and unfairness, Hagler was always a class act. Marvin Hagler is everything that was right about boxing. Leonard seemed to get all the preferential treatment and everything handed to him on a silver platter. Very much admire and adore both of their careers but I will always rate Hagler as the true King of the Big Four. He wasn't allowed to beat SRL IMO for business reasons. It wasn't personal it was business. Don't take this wrong, we all adore all four of the big four they all were heroes in their own ways. But Hagler was the most impressive one of all. And that's saying a lot.

- - Monzon retired before Marv matured as a fighter, ie Marv's 2 early losses...simples for simples...

[Bennyleonard99]

- - Monzon retired before Marv matured as a fighter, ie Marv's 2 early losses...simples for simples...

Hagler vs Monzon almost happened actually. As Monzon's trainer revealed.

[Willie Pep 229]

Hagler was never in position to fight Monzon.

Hagler stumbled when he dropped a decision to Willie 'The Worm' Monroe on March '76.

It took Hager until June '77 to dominate Monroe in a rematch and reestablish himself as a serious contender. He then entered The Ring rankings just as Monzon quit that same month.

He didn't have to wait that long for his shot, he just blew it by letting it go to the judges in '79.

But as I said, because of the Monroe stumble in 1976, his 1979 shot was not an unfair wait. It was going to take some time to work through the mess Monzon's retirement caused.

Valdez beat Briscoe (vacant) and then Valdez lost Corro, Valdez rematched Corro and lost again. Corro then lost to Antuofermo who then drew with Hagler. Antuofermo then lost to Minter and Hagler got a second shot.

Valdez-Briscoe seemed a proper match-up for the vacant title at that time and then Hagler would get two shots at the title.

There was much deserving talent about.

I don't see Hagler being treated unfair; I don't see Monzon-Hagler ever being a serious or even proper match-up.

P. S. Lineal title: Benvenuti to Monzon to Hagler

[Bennyleonard99]

Hagler was never in position to fight Monzon.

Hagler stumbled when he dropped a decision to Willie 'The Worm' Monroe on March '76.

It took Hager until June '77 to dominate Monroe in a rematch and reestablish himself as a serious contender. He then entered The Ring rankings just as Monzon quit that same month.

He didn't have to wait that long for his shot, he just blew it by letting it go to the judges in '79.

But as I said, because of the Monroe stumble in 1976, his 1979 shot was not an unfair wait. It was going to take some time to work through the mess Monzon's retirement caused.

Valdez beat Briscoe (vacant) and then Valdez lost Corro, Valdez rematched Corro and lost again. Corro then lost to Antuofermo who then drew with Hagler. Antuofermo then lost to Minter and Hagler got a second shot.

Valdez-Briscoe seemed a proper match-up for the vacant title at that time and then Hagler would get two shots at the title.

There was much deserving talent about.

I don't see Hagler being treated unfair; I don't see Monzon-Hagler ever being a serious or even proper match-up.

P. S. Lineal title: Benvenuti to Monzon to Hagler

Good rundown of the MW history of that era, nice to read. But what I read was Monzon's trainer Amilcar Brusa saying the Monzon vs Hagler fight was discussed after Hagler became champion. Monzon got some kind of offer but realized his playboy movie star lifestyle in Monaco had put him too far out of shape to seriously consider the idea. Monzon declined and that was the end of it. I will try to find this interview. Brusa said Monzon said he saw some flaws in Hagler that he could exploit.

[Willie Pep 229]

Good rundown of the MW history of that era, nice to read. But what I read was Monzon's trainer Amilcar Brusa saying the Monzon vs Hagler fight was discussed after Hagler became champion. Monzon got some kind of offer but realized his playboy movie star lifestyle in Monaco had put him too far out of shape to seriously consider the idea. Monzon declined and that was the end of it. I will try to find this interview. Brusa said Monzon said he saw some flaws in Hagler that he could exploit.

OK, that makes perfect sense. I'm sure someone offered money to Monzon to come out of retirement. That's the ugly business we love.

Normally I would say that I'm glad he didn't come back, but it's hard to give a damn about a prick like him.

[Bennyleonard99]

OK, that makes perfect sense. I'm sure someone offered money to Monzon to come out of retirement. That's the ugly business we love.

Normally I would say that I'm glad he didn't come back, but it's hard to give a damn about a prick like him.

Found the interview, actually it was not Brusa who said it but the tennis great Guillermo Vilas. Very interesting insights from Vilas about Monzon. https://ringobserver.com/carlos-monz...illermo-vilas/