Why did Hagler never move up to 175lb?

[billeau2]

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.

Judging from your recriminations regarding Ray and this comment you are an azz. Don't let the door to mom's basment hit you on your posterior when you decide to venture out into the world.

[Ray Corso]

"comfort zone" I never heard the ring considered a "comfort zone"!
Hagler fought some very good men throughout his career and didn't have it easy on his way up at all. Fighting Bennie Briscoe and the Worm and dealing with Antuofermo sp) aren't exactly your run of the mill opponents!

Through the history in boxing there was very little movement to different weight classes. Some champions may move up to challenge but often didn't stay but that was rare. Today theres such a lack of depth in every weight class that fighters need to move when their age is against them staying much longer and they want to get paid to be able to retire with something.
Hagler could hit 157 if he needed to so going 15 pounds over a weight he made easily doesn't make sense.

Heres another aspect that has been lost in more current times. To be the Middleweight Champion of the World was the second most prestigious title to own in boxing behind the Heavy title. Some how that's been lost in the mix the last 20 years, maybe because there's no Hagler around to bring such honorable attention to it.
He was a rare talent because he could box to set up fighting and vice versa, I think a lot of the negative talk here about him comes from watching a few fights late in his career. No fighter is at his best at the end, the entire scope needs to be examined and then most emphasize should be on the prime years.
Haglers prime time was pretty long and pretty damn good. He is a top ten middle of all time and many think he is a top five member. Not bad! Ray.

[Ham Porter]

Judging from your recriminations regarding Ray and this comment you are an azz. Don't let the door to mom's basment hit you on your posterior when you decide to venture out into the world.

Oh no, some anonymous pleb on a forum thinks I'm an "azz" - how will I cope?


Nothing I said was untrue, dolt.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

You gotta follow the money

81-85. Srl, Duran, hearns are >>>>> pay days than spinks..

[RENT A KI11]

I suppose the weight was just his natural fighting weight the same way as Carl Froch has never moved up in weight Froch is just an example I am not comparing the two fighters at all.

[Rockin']

Because Hagler was a proud champion who, like most in his time, would rather stay and defend his title against ALL COMERS with honor instead of being like the circus act of today where guys move up to avoid real threats and then hand pick their next belt against an obviously less talented fighter. It's all bull**** anymore if you ask me, all of these titles and such.

LONG LIVE MARVIN HAGLER!

[New England]

all of the big fights were against smaller men moving up.


168 really wasn't a thing yet, either.

he would have had to fight at 175, where he'd give up a ton of height to almost everybody.

[BennyST]

It's simple. Early 80s he was still defending his title, as actually happened in those days. By the time it became purely about big fights and big money, it was all happening in his division.

Why in the hell would he be daft enough to move away from the biggest fights, against the biggest names, for the biggest money he'd ever make, to take smaller fights against comparatively unknown fighters? That would have been tantamount to career suicide.

[TBear]

all of the big fights were against smaller men moving up.


168 really wasn't a thing yet, either.

he would have had to fight at 175, where he'd give up a ton of height to almost everybody.

Leonard, Duran and Hearns were the big money fights, no doubt. But Hagler had big fights against natural middleweights as far as them being supposedly competitive prefight. The fight with Minter, Sibson and the rematch with Hamsho all were big. Nobody in that era brought more money than Leonard, Duran and Hearns outside the heavyweight division.

[LacedUp]

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.

This is completely absurd.