Thanks JT. Hearns potential to cut Hagler was there all right -I'd go so far as to say that had Hearns never fought or KOd Duran, he may have beaten Hagler. He had the tools.
I think that is what actually happened. Almost 100 percent. I went through the whole tape and it was easy to find. Because there was nothing else which could have done it at that point with that kind of cut. It was awkward and not straight side to side or up or down on the nose like most. The mouthpiece is not sharp, but if both guys are moving to the left at the same time the plastic burns as it goes into the skin and tears into it.
I agree with this almost. Hearns was acting very cocky which was his downfall with Marvin. Had he been more humble he could have been more calm and set up a better right than throwing wildly and hitting Marvin on the top of the head which probably is what broke his hand about 30 seconds or a minute into the fight. They made for a great fight, but Hearns and Hagler both got too personal in that fight.
Was Tommy not encouraged to take on the role of a talker in the conference tour prior to the fight? Hagler had an impossibly deadbeat personality. I forget who it was from Kronk team that mentioned this, but was explained in the Legendary Nights doc.
Sure, but Hagler did good to make it personal. He had to refashion Hearns into a monster who raped his sister or something. The last thing you want to do against a peak Hearns is get passive. Somebody whom we will not name was way too passive until Hearns had his eyes rolling around in his head, then he went out of his way to be friendly.
I think that was Jackie Kallen in the HBO special who mentioned that. Yeah Hearns usually was quiet, but Marvin was even quieter. Tommy was already cocky about knocking out Duran, so he really thought he he would stop Duran early. I think he actually believe it completely. Marvin being very intelligent knew Tommy thought he would stop him and it worked him up, and Tommy was already worked up so that probably is why they brawled that way. They both didn't like each other and had something to prove both being the two top fighters p4p at the time with Spinks and Holmes.
wasn't a punch. It was 1.40 of the 1st round if you mean into the round yes,, but it was Hearns mouthpiece sliding across Marvin's forehead. How would a punch cut a forehead like that. Forehead skin is much tougher than eyebrow or eye lid skin. And Tommy had a broken hand at that point, so his rights were not as hard as earlier, which did not cut Marvin.
I agree. Tommy was way too insulting in the press conferences. I remember Tommy saying at the press conference days before the fight something like "I've been knocking out light heavyweights in sparring all week long, and now I am going to fight a midget!" Wrong thing to say to a guy like Hagler. Leonard was smart. He always said he and Marvin were friends and was very cordial to Marvin, to the point that Marvin said he was going to box Ray. I am sure I know who that person you will name was. Thing is not everyone could have done what Marvin did and go tops like that against Hearns. He had the chin to do it and the perseverance.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s--I8BsgDU&feature=related[/ame] At 1.40 of the round (the YT clock anyway) I see a smashing right hand from Hearns (and the commentator mentioning Hagler bleeding literally seconds after it)....I don't see a mouthpiece???
that right landed lower than the cut on the forehead at 1:44, if that is when you are talking since it is the only time it really could have happened other than the point I am mentioning, but Hearns hit Marvin much lower than the forehead where the cut was, and also immediately after that punch Hagler dabs at his bridge of the nose, where the blood went to. It would not get to that point in a millisecond. The location of the cut was an odd location and it was at an angle. AT 1:41 of that tape on youtube is when I think the cut happen. Al Michaels is saying at the exact moment on this tape "another good right by Hearns, and I am pretty positive that is what happened-as a matter of fact almost 100 percent. " You can see Marvin throw a right and go to his left and Hearns to his left, both throwing rights to the body, and Marvin's forehead goes into Hearns mouthpiece inadvertently. It happens so quick that it is hard to really see it, but it happens. Hearns was tired and had his mouthpiece out to get more air. you can see the mouthpiece of Hearns before and after 1:41 of this video. normally it wouldn't matter if a guy is breathing with his mouthpiece out, but Hearns was taller so if he is leaning in to punch, his mouth is near the top of Marvi's head.
I don't have footage but it was not what he said more than his attitude. Hagler and Hearns really had some sort of animosity for each other at the time which came from the first fight in 1982 being cancelled and Hagler saying he trained hard for that fight. But in reality that was too soon for Hearns to fight Hagler in 1982 months after being a welterweight. Tommy knocking out Duran was the reason Tommy thought he could stop Hagler easily probably. And he seemed to believe he would stop him like he stopped Duran- but in 3 rounds. So when Hagler said a comment, Hearns would counter with one like calling Hagler a midget. Hearns insulted Hagler too much and got Marvin worked up more than I think he ever was. It made for Marvin fighting the correct fight and being very motivated.