Former middleweight boxing champion "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler passed away today suddenly in New Hampshire. He was 66.
Born in New Jersey, Hagler pursued boxing after moving to Brockton, Massachusetts (the hometown of Rocky Marciano) in the late 1960's. It is worth noting that 36 of 67 Hagler's fights took place in the Bay State. But it would be in the UK where Hagler would win the WBA and WBC Middleweight Title defeating Alan Minter by a 3rd round TKO in September 1980. Over the next seven years, Hagler defended the title a dozen times (later adding the IBF Middleweight Title) against the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi before losing to Sugar Ray Leonard in a controversial split decision in his final fight in 1987.
Hagler would spend most of his life after boxing living in Italy starring in action films. I leave you with an interview Hagler did with Johnny Carson shortly before the Leonard fight on March 18, 1987 - almost exactly 34 years ago to the day. R.I.P.
No comments:
Post a Comment