Why did Hagler never move up to 175lb?

[soul_survivor]

I'm curious for any guys who were alive during the Fab Four era and saw those great fighters, why did Hagler never move up in weight? He was more than happy fighting guys who were smaller than him and often complained about not having superstar status like SRL or being recognised as the best fighter on the planet but if he wanted that, then surely he could or should have moved up in weight?

Previous world champions at the weight had done it before him as did future champions/titlists, Eubank, Benn, RJJ, Hopkins all come to mind. Why didn't Hagler do it? He was such a great fighter with an awesome chin, he really could have caused a stir in what was a good era for the division at 175lb.

[SBleeder]

I'm curious for any guys who were alive during the Fab Four era and saw those great fighters, why did Hagler never move up in weight? He was more than happy fighting guys who were smaller than him and often complained about not having superstar status like SRL or being recognised as the best fighter on the planet but if he wanted that, then surely he could or should have moved up in weight?

Previous world champions at the weight had done it before him as did future champions/titlists, Eubank, Benn, RJJ, Hopkins all come to mind. Why didn't Hagler do it? He was such a great fighter with an awesome chin, he really could have caused a stir in what was a good era for the division at 175lb.

If he was going to fight again period after losing the MW crown it was going to be against Leonard. He was fed up with the sport. And Spinks would have been too much for him.

I'd imagine he was proud of being able to make 160 for fourteen years.

[Ray Corso]

Hagler fought at 160 for his career many fighters stay where there best suited. Most times it's because of body type and over all body statistics.
At 5' 9" and 159lbs with a good reach and plenty of power for the division he was tailor made for the Middleweight class. To move to 175 he would be in with 6' to 6' 2" and give away a lot of reach and some power so why do it?

Not everyone has the body type to "move up"! Why do you think Mayweather defends his super welter belt with weight clauses? Every fighter wants to keep what they feel is their edge or advantage. Theirs only so far your body type will take you, for example Bob Foster was demolishing 175lbers for years when he tried to move up he got destroyed!
If your naturally suited for a division then that's where you should be.
Ray.

[Daud]

He was comfortable at middleweight. No reason to fight outside his natural weight.

[soul_survivor]

If he was going to fight again period after losing the MW crown it was going to be against Leonard. He was fed up with the sport. And Spinks would have been too much for him.

I'd imagine he was proud of being able to make 160 for fourteen years.

I'm obviously talking about pre-1987

Hagler fought at 160 for his career many fighters stay where there best suited. Most times it's because of body type and over all body statistics.
At 5' 9" and 159lbs with a good reach and plenty of power for the division he was tailor made for the Middleweight class. To move to 175 he would be in with 6' to 6' 2" and give away a lot of reach and some power so why do it?

Not everyone has the body type to "move up"! Why do you think Mayweather defends his super welter belt with weight clauses? Every fighter wants to keep what they feel is their edge or advantage. Theirs only so far your body type will take you, for example Bob Foster was demolishing 175lbers for years when he tried to move up he got destroyed!
If your naturally suited for a division then that's where you should be.
Ray.

Good points, logical but greatness sometimes isn't logical, it's about risk taking, SRR and SRL were both small for middleweight but went there and in fact, went higher.

Oscar De La Hoya another fine example.

I don't want to pick on Hagler but I'm just wondering, surely he could have had huge fights from 1980-1985 at LHW while he kept moaning about wanting to be a bigger star, a better name than SRL and boasting about his good he was yet his biggest fights in that era came against smaller fighters. I'm just thinking he could do himself huge favours by fighting bigger guys and really making a push to be called greater than Leonard.

[SBleeder]

Good points, logical but greatness sometimes isn't logical, it's about risk taking, SRR and SRL were both small for middleweight but went there and in fact, went higher.

How do you figure Robinson being small for a middleweight?

[TBear]

How do you figure Robinson being small for a middleweight?

Perhaps he is referring to his days as a welterweight champion but Robinson did spend 15 years primarily as a middleweight. And he was nearly two inches taller than the Marvelous one.

[SBleeder]

Perhaps he is referring to his days as a welterweight champion but Robinson did spend 15 years primarily as a middleweight. And he was nearly two inches taller than the Marvelous one.

And his listed height was almost as tall as Monzon's.

[Ham Porter]

Because that would have meant actually stepping outside of his comfort zone, which was something he wasn't willing to do. He wasn't willing to take any big risks in his career, especially one that likely would have resulted in him taking a likely beating.

[TBear]

Because that would have meant actually stepping outside of his comfort zone, which was something he wasn't willing to do. He wasn't willing to take any big risks in his career, especially one that likely would have resulted in him taking a likely beating.

Seriously, your comment does not deserve response, but the absurdity of it will get notice.