leonard Hagler in 82 or 83

[rightsideup]

What happens if there matchup took place earlier?

[Hop]

What happens if there matchup took place earlier?

I think it's a very good question, RSU. (BTW, I very recently rewatched the fight, and carefully.)

I was surprised how slow and even (this is hard to say about a fighter I think so highly of) "clumsy" Leonard made Hagler look. The difference in reflex-time was very apparent. How would this have been different two or three years earlier? I guess it might help Hagler some, but remember that of course Ray, who had been out of the ring nearly 3 years before the fight with Marvin, would presumably be quicker and even sharper as well.

I guess I've got to come down on the side of the results being largely the same -- a closely contested match, but with Leonard the clear winner.

[Prince Mongo]

This is a good question and I was a fan of both fighters and followed their careers. I always felt that the fight was made too late and had a feeling that Leonard would squeak a points win but had the fight been made much earlier Hagler would have won. Hagler was slow in the fight and his reflexes were gone,if they had fought earlier say around the time of Hagler Hearns that Hagler would have punched with Leonard in the exchanges who was a far better boxer and the size and strength advantage Hagler had would have started to show.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I think hagler 82,83 would have won a close 12 round decision,, or maybe stopped ray late in a 15 rounder,,,,,,

I think it would be a super competitive fight no matter when they fought,,, but at an earlier stage i would lean towards hagler

real question though,, is it 12 or 15 rounds

[Anthony342]

Probably 15, I believe they were still fighting 15 rounders in the early '80s.

[SBleeder]

Hagler by annihilation.

[GeneralZod]

Hagler by annihilation.

I'm going with this. I think Marvin was the one guy at that time Leonard really didn't want to face because he knew Hagler had the best chance of dethroning him.

[Anthony342]

I'm going with this. I think Marvin was the one guy at that time Leonard really didn't want to face because he knew Hagler had the best chance of dethroning him.

Hell yeah and Leonard knew it. That's why he made that big deal out of announcing his retirement instead of granting Hagler a fight, with Hagler in attendance, mind you. I guess, at the time, he didn't want to risk his surgically repaired retina but he knew he had to wait to be able to beat Hagler.

[SBleeder]

Hell yeah and Leonard knew it. That's why he made that big deal out of announcing his retirement instead of granting Hagler a fight, with Hagler in attendance, mind you. I guess, at the time, he didn't want to risk his surgically repaired retina but he knew he had to wait to be able to beat Hagler.

Leonard had apparently snorted an Everest-like amount of coke right before that announcement.

[crold1]

I always love the Leonard took most of 5 years off and diabolically knew he would still be tip top when Hagler got 'old' theory. Real grassy knoll stuff that ignores insane public pressure on Leonard to retire or risk 'blindness.' I suspect Leonard beats him then too and more clearly. Hagler choked, fighting right early the first time. No reason to think he handles the pressure better younger.