Marvelous Marvin Hagler

Marvelous Marvin Hagler
Statistics
Weight(s)	Middleweight
Height	5 ft 9 1⁄2 in (177 cm)[1]
Reach	75 in (191 cm)[1]
Nationality	American
Born	Marvin Nathaniel Hagler (1954-05-23) May 23, 1954 (age 64) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	67
Wins	62
Wins by KO	52
Losses	3
Draws	2

Marvelous Marvin Hagler (born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler; May 23, 1954)^[2] is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 1987. He reigned as the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987,^[3] making twelve defenses of that title, and currently holds the highest knockout percentage of all undisputed middleweight champions, at 78%, while also holding the second longest unified championship reign in boxing history at twelve consecutive defenses. At six years and seven months, his reign as undisputed middleweight champion is the second longest of the last century, behind only Tony Zale, who reigned during World War II. In 1982, annoyed that network announcers often did not refer to him by his nickname, "Marvelous", Hagler legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler.^[4]

Hagler is an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He was named Fighter of the Decade (1980s) by Boxing Illustrated magazine, and twice named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2001 and 2004, The Ring named him the fourth greatest middleweight of all time^[5] and in 2002 named him the 17th greatest fighter of the past 80 years.^[6] The International Boxing Research Organization rates Hagler as the 6th greatest middleweight of all time,^[7] while BoxRec rates him the 12th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound; and the 4th best middleweight of all time.^[8] Many analysts and boxing writers consider Hagler to have one of the most durable chins in boxing history.

Early life and amateur career[edit]

Hagler spent his early years in Newark, New Jersey's Central Ward. Following the Newark Riots of July 12–17, 1967, in which 26 people were killed and $11 million in property damage was caused, including the destruction of the Hagler family's tenement, the Haglers moved to Brockton, Massachusetts. In 1969, Hagler took up boxing after walking into a gym owned by brothers Pat and Goody Petronelli, who became his trainers and managers. In 1973, Hagler won the National AAU 165-pound title after defeating Atlanta's Terry Dobbs.

Professional career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Hagler was a top-ranked middleweight boxer for many years before he could fight for the title. Hagler struggled to find high-profile opponents willing to face him in his early years. Joe Frazier told Hagler, 'You have three strikes against you, "You're black, you're a southpaw, and you're good.'^[9] He often had to travel to his opponents' hometowns to get fights. His first break came when he was offered --on two weeks' notice-- a chance against Willie 'the Worm' Monroe, who was being trained by Frazier. Hagler lost the decision but the fight was close, so Monroe gave him a rematch. This time Hagler knocked out Monroe in 12 rounds. In a third fight, he stopped Monroe in two rounds.

Boston promoter Rip Valenti took an interest in Hagler and began bringing in top ranked opponents for Hagler to face. He fought 1972 Olympics gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales; Hagler won the first time, the second was a draw and Hagler knocked out Seales in the third fight. Number 1 ranked Mike Colbert was knocked out in the twelfth and also had his jaw broken by Hagler. Briton Kevin Finnegan was stopped in eight. Afterwards Finnegan required 40 stitches in his face.^[10] He dropped a controversial decision to Bobby 'Boogaloo' Watts, but knocked out Watts in two rounds in a rematch. Hagler won a ten-round decision over 'Bad' Bennie Briscoe. By then, promoter Bob Arum took notice and signed him.

First title shot[edit]

In November 1979, Hagler fought World Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. After fifteen rounds, most thought that Hagler had won. Hagler claimed the ref said he won, but the ref denied ever saying it. Hagler claimed he and many others were surprised when the decision was announced as a draw and Antuofermo retained his title. This only added to Hagler's frustrations. Hagler had the boxing skills and killer instinct to knock Vito out, but instead he played it safe and it cost him the title.^[11]

World champion[edit]

Antuofermo lost his title later to British boxer Alan Minter, who gave Hagler his second title shot. Hagler went to Wembley Arena to face Minter. The tense atmosphere was stoked further when Minter was quoted as saying that "No black man is going to take my title"^[12]—Minter would later insist he meant "that black man".^[13] Hagler took command and his slashing punches soon opened up the cut-prone Minter. With Hagler dominating the action, referee Carlos Berrocal halted the fight during the third round to have the four glaring cuts on Minter's face examined. Minter's manager, Doug Bidwell, almost immediately conceded defeat. Once Berrocal waved the bout off, a riot broke out among the spectators. Clive Gammon of Sports Illustrated described the scene as "a horrifying ululation of howls and boos." Hagler and his trainers had to be escorted to their locker room by a phalanx of policemen, all the while enduring a steady rain of beer bottles and glasses. After seven years and 50 fights, Hagler was the World Middleweight Champion.

Hagler proved a busy world champion. He defeated future world champion Fulgencio Obelmejias of Venezuela by a knockout in eight rounds and then former world champ Antuofermo in a rematch by TKO in four rounds. Both matches were fought at the Boston Garden near Hagler's hometown, endearing him to Boston fight fans. Syrian born Mustafa Hamsho, who won his shot in an eliminator with Wilfred Benítez and would later defeat future world champion Bobby Czyz, became Hagler's next challenger, put up a lot of resistance but was finally beaten in 11 tough rounds. Michigan fighter William "Caveman" Lee lasted only one round, and in a rematch in Italy, Obelmejias lasted five rounds. British Champion (and mutual Alan Minter conqueror) Tony Sibson followed in Hagler's ever-growing list of unsuccessful challengers. Sibson provided one of the most entertaining (to this point) fights of Marvelous Marvin's career, but he ultimately fell short, lasting six rounds. Next, came Wilford Scypion, who only lasted four. By then, Hagler was a staple on HBO, the Pay Per View of its time.

Hagler vs. Durán[edit]

A fight against Roberto Durán followed. Durán was the first challenger to last the distance with Hagler in a world-championship bout. Durán was the WBA Light Middleweight Champion and went up in weight to challenge for Hagler's middleweight crown. Hagler won a unanimous 15-round decision, although after 13 rounds, Duran was ahead by one point on two scorecards and even on the third. Hagler, with his left eye swollen and cut, came on strong in the last two rounds to win the fight.

More title defenses[edit]

Then came Juan Roldán of Argentina, who became the only man to be credited with a knockdown of Hagler, scoring one knockdown seconds into the fight – which was clearly a slip to anyone who saw it. Hagler protested bitterly that he had been pulled/pushed to the canvas. Hagler cut Roldan's left eye, then brutalized him over ten rounds and stopping him in the middle of round ten. Sugar Ray Leonard was calling the fight ringside with HBO analyst Barry Tompkins. He noted to Tompkins between rounds that Hagler looked older and slower. "Marvin might finally be slowing down, Barry" Leonard remarked. Many people believe this is the fight that gave Sugar Ray Leonard the idea that he could actually win a fight with the aging Hagler. Hamsho was given a rematch, but the Syrian was again TKO'd, this time in only three rounds. Hamsho angered Hagler with a trio of intentional headbutts in the second round and a fourth early in the third, goading the normally patient and cautious Hagler into a full-out attack that left Hamsho battered and defenseless in a matter of seconds.

Hagler vs. Hearns[edit]

On April 15, 1985, Hagler and Thomas Hearns met in what was billed as The Fight; later it would become known as "The War." Round One: Three minutes of blistering violence. Within the first fifteen seconds, Hearns lands his best punch, a straight right, onto Hagler's chin. The champion steps back, then comes forward. At this point, Hagler begins to walk through Tommy's power punches. Round Two: Hagler is cut on his head from an unintentional elbow or headbutt. Despite the blood, the champion continues to now push the fight forward. Hearns is fighting hurt as well, having suffered a broken right hand in the last minute of the first round. The pace continues as before, but now Hearns is backing up, trying to move around the ring. Hearns' trainer Manny Stewart would later reveal Hearns had a leg massage, much to his dismay, before the fight. Tommy's legs by the end of the round are weakening. Round Three: The pace slows until Referee Richard Steele calls a time out to have the ringside doctor examine the cut on Hagler's head. The crowd is on its feet for the next ten seconds, before the doctor allows the fight to continue. Hagler charges the much taller Hearns, drilling in an overhand right behind Tommy's ear. Hearns' legs wobble, and Hagler is on him quickly. Tommy topples to the canvas, rising at the count of eight, but collapses into Referee Steele's arms. The fight is then halted.

The fight only lasted eight minutes and one second, but it is rightly regarded as a classic. Commentator Al Michaels uttered the now-immortal line, "It didn't go very far, but it was a beauty!" The fight was named "Fight of the Year" by The Ring.

Hagler vs. Mugabi[edit]

Next was Olympic silver medalist John Mugabi of Uganda, who was 25–0 with 25 knockouts and was ranked the number one contender by all three major bodies. The fight took place on March 10, 1986 as Hagler had hurt his back and could not fight on the first date booked in 1985. Hagler stopped Mugabi in the 11th round of a brutal fight. Many ringside observers, including analyst Gil Clancy, noticed that Hagler was showing signs of advanced ring wear and age. He was much slower of hand and foot and seemed much easier to hit. He had also completely morphed his ring style from a slick, quick-fisted, boxer/puncher to a strictly flat-footed, stalking, slugger to compensate for his loss of speed and reflexes. Hagler was now said to be seriously considering retirement.^[14] Hagler's promoter Bob Arum was quoted as saying he was expecting Hagler to retire in the face of being challenged by Sugar Ray Leonard.

Hagler vs. Leonard[edit]

It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler. (Discuss) (September 2017)

Hagler's next challenger was Sugar Ray Leonard, who was returning to the ring after a three-year retirement (having fought just once in the previous five years.) During the pre-fight negotiations, in return for granting Hagler a larger share of the purse Leonard obtained several conditions which would be crucial to his strategy; a 22x22ft ring, 12oz gloves and the fight was to be over 12—not 15—rounds.^[15][16] Leonard was 2 years younger, had half as many fights, and unbeknownst to Hagler, had engaged in several 'real' fights behind closed doors (i.e. gloves, rounds, a referee, judges and no head gear) in order to shake off his ring rust. The fight took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 6, 1987. Hagler was the betting favorite.

Hagler, a natural southpaw, opened the fight boxing out of an orthodox stance. After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. Hagler did better, though Leonard's superior speed and boxing skill kept him in the fight. But by the fifth, Leonard, who was moving a lot, began to tire and Hagler started to get closer. As he tired Leonard began to clinch with more frequency (in total referee Richard Steele gave him over 30 warnings for holding, although never deducted a point). Hagler buckled Leonard's knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. Hagler continued to score effectively in round six. Leonard, having slowed down, was obliged to fight more and run less.^[17]

In rounds seven and eight, Hagler's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard's counter flurries were less frequent. Round nine was the most exciting round of the fight. Hagler hurt Leonard with a left cross and pinned him in a corner. Leonard was in trouble, then furiously tried to fight his way out of the corner. The action see-sawed back and forth for the rest of the round, with each man having his moments. Round ten was tame by comparison, as the pace slowed after the furious action of the previous round. Clearly tiring, Leonard boxed well in the eleventh. Every time Hagler scored, Leonard came back with something flashier, if not as effective. In the final round, Hagler continued to chase Leonard. He hit Leonard with a big left hand and backed him into a corner. Leonard responded with a flurry and danced away with Hagler in pursuit. The fight ended with Hagler and Leonard exchanging along the ropes. Hagler began dancing in celebration of his performance while Leonard alternately collapsed to the canvas and raised both his arms in triumph.^[17] Leonard threw 629 punches and landed 306, while Hagler threw 792 and landed 291.^[18]

Hagler later said that, as the fighters embraced in the ring after the fight, Leonard said to him, "You beat me man". Hagler said after the fight, "He said I beat him and I was so happy". Leonard denied making the statement and claimed he only told Hagler, "You're a great champion". HBO cameras and microphones supported Hagler's version of events.

Leonard was announced as winner by split decision, which remains hotly disputed to this day.

Post-fight reaction[edit]

Official ringside judge JoJo Guerra, whose 118–110 scorecard was derided in many quarters, commented that:

Leonard outpunched Hagler, outsmarted him, outboxed him. He looked just great. Sugar Ray Leonard was making him miss a lot, and then counterpunching him. Sugar Ray Leonard was beating him to the punch. They should call him Marvelous Sugar Ray Leonard. Boxing is the art of self-defense, and Sugar Ray was in command at all times. He was very fast and he was very clever. He made Marvin Hagler come to him. He dictated the fight.^[19][20]

Judge Dave Moretti, who scored it 115–113 for Leonard:

Obviously, Hagler was the aggressor, but he was not the effective aggressor. You can't chase and get hit and chase and get hit, and get credit for it. Besides, the hardest punching was by Leonard.^[21]

Lou Filippo, who scored it 115–113 for Hagler and felt that Hagler's bodyshots and aggression earned him the nod, said:

Hagler was doing all the work. The referee, Richard Steele, warned Leonard at least once every round about holding. Leonard fought in spurts. Leonard would run in and grab and hold. He did what he had to do. But I can't see a guy holding that much and getting points for it.^[21]

Hugh McIlvanney, commenting in the British Sunday Times and Sports Illustrated:

What Ray Leonard pulled off in his split decision over Hagler was an epic illusion. He had said beforehand that the way to beat Hagler was to give him a distorted picture. But this shrewdest of fighters knew it was even more important to distort the picture for the judges. His plan was to "steal" rounds with a few flashy and carefully timed flurries and to make the rest of each three-minute session as unproductive as possible for Hagler by circling briskly away from the latter's persistent pursuit. When he made his sporadic attacking flourishes, he was happy to exaggerate hand speed at the expense of power, and neither he nor two of the scorers seemed bothered by the fact that many of the punches landed on the champion's gloves and arms.^[22][23]

McIlvanny also referred to Budd Schulberg's contention about a 'compound optical illusion', namely that simply being more competitive than expected meant that Leonard appeared more effective and to be doing more than he actually was.^[23] Harry Gibbs, the British judge who ironically had been rejected by the Hagler camp, said he also scored it for Hagler.

Jim Murray, long-time sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times felt that Leonard deservedly got the decision, arguing that Leonard landed more punches and showed better defense and ring generalship, and writing:

It wasn't even close...He didn't just outpoint Hagler, he exposed him. He made him look like a guy chasing a bus. In snowshoes. Leonard repeatedly beat Hagler to the punch. When he did, he hit harder. He hit more often. He made Hagler into what he perceived him to be throughout his career—a brawler, a swarmer, a man who could club you to death only if you stood there and let him. If you moved, he was lost.^[24]

The scorecards from the ringside press attest to the closeness of the fight (6–5, 3 drawn) more pundits awarded the fight to Leonard rather than to Hagler, although counting those who scored it even, more felt Hagler deserved to keep his title than did not:

Rematch[edit]

Hagler requested a rematch but Leonard chose to retire again (the third of five high-profile retirements announced by Leonard), having said he would do so beforehand.^[25][26] Hagler himself retired from boxing in June 1988, declaring that he was "tired of waiting" for Leonard to grant him a rematch. In 1990, Leonard finally offered Hagler a rematch which reportedly would have earned him $15m, but he declined. By then he had settled down to a new life as an actor in Italy and was now uninterested in boxing.^[27][28] He said "A while ago, yeah, I wanted him so bad, but I'm over that."^[27] At the 1994 Consumer Electronics Show Hagler and Leonard had a mock rematch by playing against each other in the video game Boxing Legends of the Ring, and claimed that an actual rematch was being planned.^[29]

Training style[edit]

Hagler had a unique training regimen in which he would hole up on Cape Cod in motels that had closed for the winter. For his "road work" he would take to the pavement in army boots, declaring running shoes "sissy shoes." He would run much of his route backwards to prepare for movements in the boxing ring.

Professional boxing record[edit]

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
67	Loss	62–3–2	Sugar Ray Leonard	SD	12	Apr 6, 1987	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
66	Win	62–2–2	John Mugabi	KO	11 (12), 1:29	Mar 10, 1986	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
65	Win	61–2–2	Thomas Hearns	TKO	3 (12), 1:52	Apr 15, 1985	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
64	Win	60–2–2	Mustafa Hamsho	TKO	3 (15), 2:31	Oct 19, 1984	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
63	Win	59–2–2	Juan Roldán	TKO	10 (15), 0:39	Mar 30, 1984	Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
62	Win	58–2–2	Roberto Durán	UD	15	Nov 10, 1983	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
61	Win	57–2–2	Wilford Scypion	KO	4 (15), 2:47	May 27, 1983	Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.	Retained The Ring and lineal middleweight titles; Won vacant inaugural IBF middleweight title
60	Win	56–2–2	Tony Sibson	TKO	6 (15), 2:40	Feb 11, 1983	Centrum, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
59	Win	55–2–2	Fulgencio Obelmejias	TKO	5 (15), 2:35	Oct 30, 1982	Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Italy	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
58	Win	54–2–2	William Lee	TKO	1 (15), 1:07	Mar 7, 1982	Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
57	Win	53–2–2	Mustafa Hamsho	TKO	11 (15), 2:09	Oct 3, 1981	Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
56	Win	52–2–2	Vito Antuofermo	RTD	4 (15), 3:00	Jun 13, 1981	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
55	Win	51–2–2	Fulgencio Obelmejias	TKO	8 (15), 0:20	Jan 17, 1981	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
54	Win	50–2–2	Alan Minter	TKO	3 (15), 1:45	Sep 27, 1980	Wembley Arena, London, England	Won WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
53	Win	49–2–2	Marcos Geraldo	UD	10	May 17, 1980	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
52	Win	48–2–2	Bobby Watts	TKO	2 (10)	Apr 19, 1980	Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, U.S.
51	Win	47–2–2	Loucif Hamani	KO	2 (10), 1:42	Feb 16, 1980	Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, U.S.
50	Draw	46–2–2	Vito Antuofermo	SD	15	Nov 30, 1979	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles
49	Win	46–2–1	Norberto Rufino Cabrera	TKO	8 (10)	Jun 30, 1979	Esplanade de Fontvieille, Monte Carlo, Monaco
48	Win	45–2–1	Jamie Thomas	TKO	3 (10), 2:38	May 26, 1979	Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, U.S.
47	Win	44–2–1	Bob Patterson	TKO	3 (10), 1:00	Mar 12, 1979	Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
46	Win	43–2–1	Sugar Ray Seales	TKO	1 (10), 1:26	Feb 3, 1979	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
45	Win	42–2–1	Willie Warren	TKO	7 (10)	Nov 11, 1978	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
44	Win	41–2–1	Bennie Briscoe	UD	10	Aug 24, 1978	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
43	Win	40–2–1	Kevin Finnegan	TKO	7 (10)	May 13, 1978	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
42	Win	39–2–1	Doug Demmings	TKO	8 (10)	Apr 7, 1978	Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
41	Win	38–2–1	Kevin Finnegan	TKO	9 (10)	Mar 4, 1978	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
40	Win	37–2–1	Mike Colbert	TKO	12 (15)	Nov 26, 1977	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	Won vacant Massachusetts middleweight title
39	Win	36–2–1	Jim Henry	UD	10	Oct 15, 1977	Marvel Gymnasium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
38	Win	35–2–1	Ray Phillips	TKO	7 (10), 1:11	Sep 24, 1977	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
37	Win	34–2–1	Willie Monroe	TKO	2 (10), 1:46	Aug 23, 1977	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Won vacant North American middleweight title
36	Win	33–2–1	Roy Jones	TKO	3 (10), 2:10	Jun 10, 1977	Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
35	Win	32–2–1	Reggie Ford	KO	3 (10), 2:14	Mar 16, 1977	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
34	Win	31–2–1	Willie Monroe	TKO	12 (12), 1:20	Feb 15, 1977	John B. Hynes Memorial Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
33	Win	30–2–1	George Davis	TKO	6 (10), 2:56	Dec 21, 1976	John B. Hynes Memorial Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
32	Win	29–2–1	Eugene Hart	RTD	8 (10)	Sep 14, 1976	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31	Win	28–2–1	DC Walker	TKO	6 (10)	Aug 3, 1976	Schneider Arena, North Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
30	Win	27–2–1	Bob Smith	TKO	5 (10), 2:05	Jun 2, 1976	Roseland Ballroom, Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
29	Loss	26–2–1	Willie Monroe	UD	10	Mar 9, 1976	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28	Win	26–1–1	Matt Donovan	TKO	2 (10), 2:40	Feb 7, 1976	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
27	Loss	25–1–1	Bobby Watts	MD	10	Jan 13, 1976	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26	Win	25–0–1	Johnny Baldwin	UD	10	Dec 20, 1975	John B. Hynes Memorial Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
25	Win	24–0–1	Lamont Lovelady	TKO	7 (10)	Sep 30, 1975	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
24	Win	23–0–1	Jesse Bender	KO	1 (10), 1:38	Aug 7, 1975	Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
23	Win	22–0–1	Jimmy Owens	DQ	6 (10)	May 24, 1975	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.	Owens disqualified for repeated clinching
22	Win	21–0–1	Jimmy Owens	SD	10	Apr 14, 1975	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
21	Win	20–0–1	Joey Blair	KO	2 (10), 2:22	Mar 31, 1975	Harvard Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
20	Win	19–0–1	Dornell Wigfall	KO	6 (10), 1:25	Feb 15, 1975	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
19	Win	18–0–1	DC Walker	TKO	2 (10), 2:58	Dec 20, 1974	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
18	Draw	17–0–1	Sugar Ray Seales	MD	10	Nov 26, 1974	Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	George Green	KO	1 (10), 0:30	Nov 16, 1974	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Morris Jordan	TKO	4 (10), 2:20	Oct 29, 1974	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Sugar Ray Seales	UD	10	Aug 30, 1974	WNAC-TV Studio, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Peachy Davis	KO	1 (10), 1:00	Aug 13, 1974	Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Bobby Williams	TKO	3 (10), 1:11	Jul 16, 1974	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Curtis Phillips	TKO	5 (10)	May 30, 1974	Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	James Redford	TKO	2 (10)	May 4, 1974	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Tracy Morrison	TKO	8 (10), 2:04	Apr 5, 1974	WNAC-TV Studio, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Bob Harrington	KO	5 (10), 2:00	Feb 5, 1974	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	James Redford	KO	4 (8)	Dec 18, 1973	John B. Hynes Memorial Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Manny Freitas	TKO	1 (8), 1:33	Dec 6, 1973	Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Cocoa Kid	KO	2 (8)	Nov 17, 1973	Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Cove Green	TKO	4 (8), 1:27	Oct 26, 1973	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Dornell Wigfall	PTS	8	Oct 6, 1973	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Muhammed Smith	KO	2 (6)	Aug 8, 1973	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Sonny Williams	UD	6	Jul 25, 1973	Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Terry Ryan	KO	2 (4)	May 18, 1973	Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.	Professional debut

Career after boxing[edit]

After the loss to Leonard, Hagler moved to Italy, where he became a well-known star of action films. His roles include a US Marine in the films Indio and Indio 2. In 1996, he starred alongside Giselle Blondet in Virtual Weapon. Hagler has provided boxing commentary for British television. Another foray into the entertainment field includes work in the video game Fight Night: Round 3.

Personal life[edit]

Former middleweight southpaw boxer Robbie Sims is Hagler's brother.^[30] Hagler has five children with his first wife, Bertha: Charelle, Celeste, James, Marvin Jr., and Gentry.^[28] Although he owns a home in Bartlett, New Hampshire, Hagler currently lives in Milan.^[31] In May 2000, he married his second wife Kay, an Italian woman, in Pioltello, Italy.^[32]

Awards and recognitions[edit]

• Named Fighter of the Decade (1980s) by Boxing Illustrated
• Named Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year for 1983 and 1985.
• Named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1983 and 1985.
• Inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
• During the 2016 edition of "Sport Movies & TV - Milano International FICTS Fest" Fosbury was awarded with the Excellence Guirlande D'Honneur and entered in the FICTS "Hall Of Fame".^[33]

See also[edit]

• List of lineal boxing world champions
• List of undisputed boxing champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions
• List of The Ring world champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of IBF world champions
• List of left-handed boxers
• List of people from Newark, New Jersey

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Professional boxing record for Marvelous Marvin Hagler from BoxRec
• Marvin Hagler's amateur boxing record
• Marvelous Marvin Hagler on IMDb