Monzon vs Hagler, 1977 or 1978

I think Monzon would take the early rounds. Then Hagler would start coming on in the middle rounds and win the final championship rounds. So Hagler winning by a clear UD in a competitive fight. His youth, aggressiveness, and determination I think would win the day here. Of course I am a bit biased toward Hagler.

 

Hagler back then was actually more of a counter-puncher, cuter defensively and seemed to pack more power. This was his true physical prime.

Monzon mastered timing, distance, pacing, side-stepping, clinching and maximizing height and reach as well, or better than, anyone ever, of course. With the size advantage and range, of CM, Marvin would have no choice but to come forward, out of his then-comfort zone (which was countering behind an airtight defense and intricate body moves), and as we saw against Duran he is not so effective when chasing an opponent.

Stylistically, Monzon wiped the floor with (aggressive version of) Hagler-esque Benny Briscoe, and the closest to Monzon's style that MH fought was Vito A who held him to a draw.

I would lean towards Monzon, decision.

 

Hagler wasnt experienced enough to beat Monzon at this time

 

Most of them against tough opponents, but the draw with Vito is what put him in to the next stratosphere and made him turn into a boxer puncher who was intent on hurting his opponents.

 

Monzon would have fought Hagler much the way that he did Briscoe,...reckoning of course, that Hagler was a greater fighter than BB, but the intent, strategy and focus would have been much the same...utilizing to the max, his height and reach advantages, and remember, when Carlos fought Briscoe, he was much nearer, perhaps at his ring prime, with healthier hands...and this was before he got shot as well......but the thing that Monzon would have used to the max as well, was that quality that he trumped Hagler in, and that was ring generalship....(ESPECIALLY in those all important rounds of 13 through 15), and a steady coolness and sense of purpose throughout, especially when under fire. Hagler, when facing a higher quality foe, could occasionally have moments of doubt and confusion, such as with Duran and later with Leonard. Monzon had no such lapses into confusion...and had a cold resolve in each fight...especially important fights...that eclipses Hagler. This would have been both a fascinating, intense spectacle, and a high level chess match at the same time. I pick Monzon by a close, hard fought decision over 15 rounds.

 

My apologies...the thread title does say 1977 or 1978....but theres no difference in the outcome IMO...a close decision goes to Monzon.

 

I remember reading in the ring magazine where they were predicting who would be Monzons successor and they described Hagler as being an aggressive Joe Frazieresque type fighter.
This must have been about '78 or so and they also said Haglers career wouldn't last long ??
Overall id favour Hagler but whether 77/78 was too soon I couldn't guess

 

Hagler was entering his prime, Monzon was at the tail end of his career, past prime but still very good.

I'll go with Marvin by close decision.

 

On this we agree...yes, he did retire at the right time, and with the wisdom of his ring career that he didn't have in his personal life, he never came back.
No, Hagler couldn't hardly be outfought,...but as Leonard realized,.and I'm sure an even greater middleweight in Monzon would have known,...you didn't try to just outfight Hagler....you outboxed him...and I believe that Monzon would have done just that.

 

Marvin barely edges Carlos, barely, even at this stage.

 

I didn't say he was in-experienced, just not experienced enough to beat Monzon at this time

It would be Monzons experience and boxing skill vs Haglers youthful aggression, and I think at this time Monzons experience and skill would prevail