MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER is a man who paid his dues. The rugged middleweight fought the toughest middleweights in the world for years before he was given the opportunity to fight for a world title.
Hagler frequently traveled to other fighter's hometown's for fights and some of his most memorable pre-title competition came in Philadelphia. There he met fighters like Bobby Watts, Willie "The Worm" Monroe, Cyclone Hart and Bennie Briscoe.
Hagler was finally given a title shot by champion Vito Antuofermo in 1979 but the two combatants fought to a draw. He challenged for the title again one year later and this time he knocked out champion Alan Minter.
Hagler would make 12 successful title defenses. Among his victims were Antuofermo, Mustafa Hamsho, Roberto Duran, Juan Roldan, John "The Beast" Mugabi, and Thomas Hearns. His thrilling three-round shootout with Hearns is regarded as one of the best fights of all-time.
Hagler's last fight was in 1987 when Sugar Ray Leonard came out of retirement and won an exciting, but controversial 12-round split decision for the WBC middleweight title. Hagler retired after Leonard would not give him a rematch.
Born: May 23, 1954
Died: March 13, 2021
Bouts: 67
Won: 62
Lost: 3
Draw: 2
KOs: 52
Induction: 1993
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
