Marvelous Marvin Hagler: The Boxer’s Boxer
In the 1970s and 80s, British football was a different animal to the one you see today. Our national sport played out in crumbling, post-war grounds on threadbare, bumpy pitches. Teams had to earn the right to play in an arena of violent exuberance. As such, most successful clubs employed an enforcer.
These hard cases who would instil fear in opponents. Liverpool had Tommy Smith and Graeme Souness. Leeds United had Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter. Nottingham Forest’s unlikely success built on the foundations of a fearsome centre-half duo — Kenny Burns and Larry Lloyd. When studs were flying, Chelsea called upon Ron Harris. These masters of the dark arts earned nicknames — Chopper, Bite ‘yer Legs, The Anfield Iron.
In the 1970s, Arsenal’s enforcer was Peter Storey. His nom de guerre: The Bastard’s Bastard. He was the man that even his fellow enforcers held him in high esteem. That’s quite the endorsement.
It got me thinking: who would be The Boxer’s Boxer? The fighter other boxers feared and admired in equal amounts. What attributes should decide that accolade?
I’d suggest:
skill
power
conditioning
determination
bravery
menace
self-respect
There are many boxers who have showcased many, if not all these qualities. But at the highest level, I have an outstanding candidate. Ladies and gentlemen — I give you, the late, great Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Marvin Hagler is an all time great. There is no debate. He held the Middleweight Championship of the World from 1980-87, defending it 12 times. He operated in an era of elite fighters and never avoided any of them.
Hagler is remembered as one of the ‘Four Kings'. His fellow monarchs were Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard.
These four warriors fought over an unforgettable series of prize fights in the 1980s. These guys sought each other out, desperate for recognition as the best of their era. It's a far cry from today's risk-averse business model where the best fights wither on the vine.
Let’s breakdown ‘Marvelous’ category by category. Here’s my pitch for Marvin Hagler as The Boxer’s Boxer.
Skill
Hagler was a pure switch-hitter. He boxed from orthodox and southpaw, often switching in-contest.
You can see this switch-hitting in Marvin’s fight with Tony Sibson. After 3 rounds of disciplined boxing from southpaw, he ups the ante by switching to orthodox.
Look out for the sumptuous lead uppercut he used to great effect against orthodox opponents.
Power
Hagler could punch with power from either hand. His switch-hitting style accentuated this ambidextrous attack. He also perfected the Gazelle Punch — a leaping lead hook used by the likes of Floyd Patterson and Rocky Marciano.
This highlight reel showcases Hagler dishing out chin music with both hands.
Conditioning
Hagler conditioned himself to fight non-stop for 15 rounds. He punished himself in the gym.
To see his supreme conditioning in action, take a look at the 1986 clash with John Mugabi. Mugabi — a murderous puncher from Uganda — was six years his junior. Marvin outlasted his younger challenger, knocking him out after a brutal war of attrition.
Determination
No discussion of Marvelous Marvin Hagler can omit Thomas Hearns. In 1985 Hagler and Hearns provided an eight minute slugfest for the ages. Many boxing historians rate ‘The War’ as the most memorable, three rounds of boxing of all time.
Both fighters threw caution and leather to the wind. In a frenzied start, Hagler sustained a cut to his forehead that threatened to derail the fight. When the referee asked him if he could see through the blood he barked, ‘I ain't missing him, am I?’.
In this fight, and in all his career, Marvin Hagler refused to contemplate defeat.
Bravery
In 1980, Hagler had already had a tilt at the middleweight crown. A year previously he challenged Vito Antuofermo for his WBC and WBA straps. Despite many at ringside judging Hagler the winner, he was denied. The official adjudicators signalled a draw. The Italian retained his titles.
Undeterred and full of pent up rage, he travelled to the UK to take on Alan Minter. Minter had subsequently unseated Antuofermo to claim the middleweight throne. In a febrile, ugly atmosphere, Hagler thrashed his opponent in front of his home crowd.
The scenes after the brutal third round stoppage are infamous. As Hagler finally achieved his lifelong ambition, he was pelted with beer bottles and glasses.
Menace
Hagler was a serious man. He oozed menace: from his uncompromising media demeanor to his shaven head. A reporter once tried to interview him during a training camp. Hagler's handlers told the gumshoe he should leave immediately, for his own safety. They placated him with an offer to interview the champ straight after the fight.
Upon turning up for the agreed post match interview, he found Hagler, stark naked from the shower. The champ was still very, very angry. The champ told the reporter to do another disappearing act!
After some negotiating, Hagler calmed down enough to give a gracious, considerate interview.
Self-respect
Many boxers down the years have sacrificed their standards for money. Many fight on way past their best, a shadow of what they once were. Others let themselves down by not training and preparing properly.
Hagler was the consummate pr. He paid the ultimate respect to his brutal craft. Training like a maniac in spartan conditions, he was always prepared.
He once said that it was more difficult to get up for early morning runs when you sleep in silk sheets. This was a jibe at boxers who lost their hunger. Those who compromised the standards that brought initial success. Hagler never did that. Even the suggestion that he might fuelled him with rage and impetus.
Hagler’s final fight against Ray Leonard was a blockbuster long in the making. The result — a points win for Leonard — is one of the most controversial in boxing history. Ask any two people who won that fight and you will get a different answer. For me, Hagler did enough for the decision. He certainly thought so too. He quit the sport in disgust after the loss.
A year later, Leonard asked promoter Bob Arum to approach Marvin with an offer for a lucrative rematch. Hagler's reply? ‘Tell Ray to get a life’.
So there we have it. The much-missed, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. A champion who did his talking in the ring. A man who didn’t need the accoutrement of wealth to burgeon his ego. Perhaps Marvin Hagler was the last of his kind — The Boxer’s Boxer.
RIP Champ.
