Mugabi was scheduled to face Thomas Hearns for the WBC 154-pound title in November 1985.

He was? I remember there was the Shuler card scheduled for Nov. of 1985 with Hagler vs. Mugabi,, and Hagler got an injury to his nose in sparring, so they had to postpone it to March 10, 1986.

 

I could be wrong, but I remember the date was probably Nov. 4 or6 1985, and even seeing the posters.. Then Hagler got an injury and they postponed it. Then Hearns fought Shuler with his new short haircut.

 

"Mugabi was scheduled to face Thomas Hearns for the WBC 154-pound title in November 1985. However, that fell to the wayside when Hearns elected to move up to 160 pounds to face Marvin Hagler in a superfight. Mugabi — who by now sported an exemplary record of 25-0 (25 knockouts) with 17 KOs coming inside three rounds — waited in the wings for the winner. Hagler would stop Hearns in a thriller."

https://www.ringtv.com/504392-best-faced-john-mugabi/

 

I think at one point the schedule was to have Hagler v Shuler and Hearns v Mugabi, both title fights, 160 and 154 respectively. Maybe on different dates, maybe same.
But Hearns and his manager prefered to avoid Mugabi and campaign for the Hagler rematch.
Mugabi was entitled to his shot at the WBC 154 title but a deal was made where he was offered the shot at Hagler instead, and Hearns and Shuler would fight a middleweight eliminator (and NABF title?).
Anyway, yes, that was scheduled for November, but Hagler hurt himself in training and the whole bill was put off until March.

 

I remember this stuff, but it was not really set the other card.. It is faint. Kinchen and Shuler were guys who were said to have possible fights with Hagler.

 

I recall reading a ring magazine or KO magazine that said Emanuel Stewart would never let Hearns fight Mugabi at 154. It would be 50/50 at best and with the big money Hagler looming it could cost Hearns millions.

I think the Beast would have gone right at what he considered a weak chinned opponent, Mugabi was very strong and while Hearns hit harder with one punch than Hagler, Mugabi absorbed 10 times the punishment Hearns did from Hagler. I think Hearns tries to box instead of bomb and gets hit and ko'ed.

 

I think Hearns would have KO'd Mugabi. At the time though, Mugabi seemed like a killing machine. People were wary of him. After Hagler beat him, the mystique was gone and he was just another fighter.

 

I think Mugabi.

Before Hagler/Hearns I would pick Hearns.

 

The Hagler who fought Mugabi was not the Hagler who fought Hearns. Hearns career was so much more than Mugabi. Roldan went 10 with Hagler. Hearns hurt Hagler more than Mugabi did, but Hagler was inactive the year before. The fact is I don't think John could take more than a few of Hearns right hands. I see him crashing onto his face early.

 

Hearns would have sparked him out within 3 rounds in a famous highlight reel knockout.

 

That is what I think. Hearns had a better track record and would have landed first, and if Duane Thomas or Norris stopped him. Hearns would have. Styles make fights. Hearns is not going to brawl with Mugabi. He is going to come out jab and land the right as soon as he could while being cautious.

 

I agree with the outcome but I think he would go in to the ring in seek and destroy mode. He would try and take Mugabi out before he gets warmed up IMO.

 

I think so too. I don't see Mugabi taking Hearns big rights hands. I see Mugabi being hit and wobbled with a stunned look on his face and flopping to the ground and Hearns knocking him down 2 more times and the fight being stopped.