The Myth of Marvin Hagler

[Thread Stealer]

"He was a pressuring brawler"

"He was a face-first guy who beat guys through will and toughness and raw power rather than skill"

Wrong.

He was a versatile boxer-puncher with an ability to brawl with success (Hearns, latter rounds versus Mugabi). He generally liked to box behind his piston right jab, mix in his combos, and move laterally. He was very effective at boxing at range while moving laterally or even on the backfoot (Briscoe). If he was able to hurt a guy while boxing at range, he would jump on them and usually get them out of there (Scypion, Lee, whom he hurt with a jab).

He boxed at range in the majority of his fights rather than brawled, but people like to watch a bout or two of a fighter or some highlights and (often falsely) define them based on that.

[Scott9945]

"He was a pressuring brawler"

"He was a face-first guy who beat guys through will and toughness and raw power rather than skill"

Wrong.

He was a versatile boxer-puncher with an ability to brawl with success (Hearns, latter rounds versus Mugabi). He generally liked to box behind his piston right jab, mix in his combos, and move laterally. He was very effective at boxing at range while moving laterally or even on the backfoot (Briscoe). If he was able to hurt a guy while boxing at range, he would jump on them and usually get them out of there (Scypion, Lee, whom he hurt with a jab).

He boxed at range in the majority of his fights rather than brawled, but people like to watch a bout or two of a fighter or some highlights and (often falsely) define them based on that.

Very true. Hagler would walk right through weak opposition, but he could box very well when he needed to.

[BrooklynBomber]

Nothing new here, everyone knows that he was a slick boxer who could brawl if he had to, but he was a boxer first.


When he fought Leonard he was on a slide.

[MELLY-MEL...]

yes your correct! boxer first! brawler 2nd!

[Thread Stealer]

Nothing new here, everyone knows that he was a slick boxer who could brawl if he had to, but he was a boxer first.


When he fought Leonard he was on a slide.

not everyone.

lots of people spout the bull**** "hagler was a brawler" myth.

[TheGreatA]

So true.

Hagler can only blame himself though because people mostly know Hagler from his fights with Hearns, Mugabi and Leonard.


I like this Hagler HL because it has some of his slick moves in it.
2:10 is Hagler at his best, 04:55 too, jab, dodge, set your feet, counter and drop a man who has never been previously dropped in his career.

[BrooklynBomber]

not everyone.

lots of people spout the bull**** "hagler was a brawler" myth.

A lot of people only saw his fights with Hearns, Leonard and maybe Mugabi.

[CH0ZEN]

When I saw the title of the thread, I was like, Oh no, someone is dissin' the Marvelous One... But I was pleasantly surprised by your analysis... Marvin Haglar definitely was a versatile boxer-puncher with the ability to brawl!

[Thread Stealer]

So true.

Hagler can only blame himself though because people mostly know Hagler from his fights with Hearns, Mugabi and Leonard.

Hagler had to have that gameplan against Hearns, IMO.

Hearns was a terrific outside boxer who had about 4-5 inches in height on him, a couple inches in reach, and outboxed both Leonard and Benitez.

[-EX-]

I know Hagler was a good boxer as well but slick? Maybe I haven't seen enough but I consider slick like Leonard, Whitaker,Mayweather,etc.