I agree entirely, Hagler was great. And doing it like that is admirable, earning and appreciating it. It's a different type of greatness. I'm just saying, guys like Tyson have that natural talent and magnetism out of the gate but it rarely lasts, whatever the field, when people are that good early on something gives, the motivation goes, they don't want to hear how great they are anymore because they know it's not about them really, then they resent it. But those guys always get the attention, probably unfairly in some ways.
Those early films were revolutionary whether u liked them personally or not. Brando was before his time, when you see those old black and white films it's like seeing an actor now, he is almost out of place next to those old wooden actors of the 50s. He did some good stuff after that as well, one eyed jacks was a decent western, Missouri breaks was another excellent western. Apocalypse now he wasn't in much but his presence was felt throughout the film. Brando really gave up but occasionally showed something in the 70s and 80s. Kind of like Tyson. Neither was interested in real work after their initial enthusiasm but their natural talent came out occasionally.
in the end guys like Hagler are the ones remembered. He put his all into it, and if you think about how he went after Hearns. He knew he could not box and stay at a distance. That is a great fighter, not Mike as much who thought he could blast everyone out..
It's not really about who is greater. A guy like Tyson will be remembered more than other heavyweights that had better careers because of his impact. That four years of prime is still fresh, people still remember the myth. It will no more be forgotten than hagler. if you really want to compare the two I am sorry to say Tyson is much more present now, people will always be interested in him, right or wrong it's just the way it is. Same with any person that manages to capture the publics imagination, the excitement.
The thing is Tyson never had a career defining fight like Hagler did with Hearns. Hagler went in there and put himself in view or Hearns right hand to go to war and get a win. Tyson never did anything like that, and that Hagler Hearns fight sort of lives on in history. It has a legacy all it's own.
Tyson is infinitely more remembered and famous. I have never seen anyone in my lifetime have such an impact on casual fans, non fans, females and the like. Tyson was a household name, even among women. It was incredible. I could go up to 1000 various people around town and maybe 20% might know of Hagler. Not many wouldn't know of Tyson.
Again it doesn't matter, tysons prime will still be remembered more because of the whole myth, it was a perfect story, reformed thug, great trainer, tragic downfall. In years to come they will be making films about tyson. Hagler was awesome but wont be remembered in the same vein. He fascinates people to this day because of that run the had 30 years ago. Who talks about Marvin these days? I wish they did but a lot of great fighters move to the background in the present.
I don't think so. I hear Marvin talked about enough. Hearns was inducted into the Nevada hall of Fame and Leonard introduced him and people mentioned him in regards to Hearns. It is his involvement with the other greats which bring out Marvin's name. Al Bernstein was on ESPN this week and the lady asked him the best fight you commentated. He said two come to mind. Corrales/Castillo and Hagler vs. Hearns, but the Hagler vs. Hearns one was the one showen and put more emphasis on. People will not forget him. Mike is seen as troubled. A personality, but Marvin was a great fighter. I think Marvin is seen as great a fighter. Whether Mike is a personality that is a different story. Look on most middleweight lists and Marvin is 1-3 somewhere. Mike is not near that at heavyweight.
I would like to see others opinions on this. There is a difference great fighter and personality because of other things. I remember in the late 1980s. Mike married Robin Givens, and all this talk about her mother Ruth Roper and all that, and I thought, oh god I don't want to hear this. I want to hear about his fights and all that, but the personal stuff to me meant nothing. Other people seemed to want it, I liked the boxing aspect.