83 Hagler vs Lightweights

Bob Arum once stated: "I was at this boxing ceremony event, and I saw Hagler and Duran standing side-by-side, and realized that Hagler really wasn't that much bigger than Duran, so I decided to match them in a MW title bout."

 

The famous effort by Henry Armstrong to win the MW title from Champion Ceferino Garcia, but in reality it would have been only for the California State Athletic Commission MW title; plus, both fighters were way under the MW 160 lb limit.

1940-03-01 : Henry Armstrong 142 lbs drew with Ceferino Garcia 153½ lbs by PTS in round 10 of 10

• Location: Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, USA
• Referee: George Blake

• The fight was recognized as a World Middleweight Title fight only by the California State Athletic Commission. Garcia was also recognized as World Middleweight Champion by the New York State Athletic Commission, but the NYSAC version of the title wasn't on the line because the fight was scheduled for ten rounds, instead of fifteen.
• Most ringsiders felt that Armstrong had clearly won.
• According to Boxing: The 20th Century, Armstrong was offered $75,000 to fall in round four.
• The referee was the sole judge. This was George Blake's last assignment as a referee, according to his obituary in the New York Times on Dec. 21, 1952.

 

That was Bob Arum's quote, not mine.

 

Mayweather JR, Hagler had problems cutting of the ring and Mayweather`s feet were amazingly quick but at middle his feet would be slower because of the extra weight, I think Floyd would land a lot of counter rights but Hagler`s reach would be too much for the short armed Floyd, I think De La Hoya (who was wbo lightweight champ) would of had more success because of his reach but would have been stopped after doing well like he did in the Hopkins fight.

 

Maybe the best way to answer this question is to ask could any lightweight champ have beaten Duran middle, think about it.

 

Hagler was naturally much smaller than monzon,lamotta and hopkins.

 

Hagler was never had a big MW. Even when not training his walking weight
was around 170 lbs. Fighters like Mikey Garcia , Ricky Hatton , Kosta Tzyu
when not in training this was there walking weight.

 

Hard to use that fight as a basis of comparison, since it was a poor showing from Hagler and he still earned a very comfortable, lopsided decision win with no issues. I think he would have slaughtered Duran if they'd ever fought again.

PS - Duran was 6 years and 20+ lbs removed from 135-- not exactly a lightweight.

 

Hagler vs. Durán. A fight against Roberto Durán followed. ... Durán was the WBA Light Middleweight Champion and went up in weight to challenge for Hagler's middleweight crown. Hagler won a unanimous 15-round decision, although after 13 rounds, Duran was ahead by one point on two scorecards and even on the third. (i.e. a CLOSE DECISION)
1983-11-10 : Roberto Duran 156½ lbs lost to Marvin Hagler 157½ lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Referee: Stanley Christodoulou
• Judge: Guy Jutras 142-144
• Judge: Yusaku Yoshida 145-146
• Judge: Ove Ovesen 143-144

 

Were you an official judge? "Gotta go with what really counts....not the 'outside observer' ", per Billy Graham the boxer, in Year 1951.