If Hagler fought on...

I stumbled across a hilariously bad article on this a few days ago.

Among other classics it had Iran Barkley steamrolling and destoying Mike McCallum in the first round to set up a superfight with Hagler circa 88\89.

 

http://theboxingtribune.com/2014/10/what-if-marvin-hagler-beat-sugar-ray-leonard/

Here it is.Got to appreciate the attempt to set up barkley as a Tyson-esque destroyer for Marvin to crush within 5 rounds.

 

Nice!

If anyone was purposely overlooked circa the mid to late 80's it was Mike McCallum. Save for one off night against the underrated Sumbu Kalambay (and it had more to do with Kalambay than it did McCallum, in the 1st encounter), McCallum was a ring surgeon par excellence.

McCallum would have thoroughly outpointed Barkley, especially over the 2nd half of a twelve round fight.

 

Yes I think he was wise to retire when he did, he had clearly "gone back ,"by the Leonard fight.

 

How does Hagler in his prime fare against these killers though?

Jones, G-Man, Toney, Kalambay, Nunn etc were deadly on their best form.

 

Jones is too fast, big and tricky.

Marvin's consistent pace in fights should see him edge Nunn. Being a soutpaw could very well give hhim the edge against Kalambay. But he can't afford to be as hesistant as he was against Duran against these two, or as plodding as he was against SRL.

G-Man... Very hard to say. I think McClellan had the physical tools to do it, but did he have the necessary champion's mentality? Because this would be a war like few others.

Toney is interesting. Hagler would walk all over the Toney that faced Tiberi, but a focussed Toney would quite likely beat the Hagler that struggled somewhat with Duran. I think I like Toney at his MW best here. A sharp counterpuncher, that equalled Hagler in power, strength and chin. Inferior stamina but superior hand speed. Difficult call.

 

Hagler would have lost to Nunn if he fought on imo.

He struggled with a second rate slickster all the way back in 1980 against Marcos Geraldo.
Nunn wouldn't have given Hagler the southpaw advantage and would also have beaten the Leonard that beat Hagler .

 

he's right. I was there for one of his sparring sessions with the Weavers the month before. He's far worse than people are admitting here. it happens to all the greats: Robinson, Ali, Joe Louis, and now Hagler. In reality he was reduced to the level of a four rounder and he never would have regained any of the titles. he had no speed and he couldnt break an egg