Regarding Hagler Vs Duran - How Close Was It IYO??

I had it 9-5-1 for Hagler; a reasonably close fight, but no more than that.

 

On one of many vacation trips to Florida back in the 80s, I was lucky enough to attend a closed-circuit showing of this fight at the Miami Jai-Alai arena.

Going in, I was convinced hagler would stop his naturally much smaller opponent - and I was very surprised how well Duran did! I don't think I scored the fight at the time, but despite Duran's marvellous performance, I was sure Hagler had won quite clearly. So sure, that I didn't bother hanging around for the official announcement, but instead headed for the exit as soon as the fight was over - hoping to be first in line to catch a cap back to my hotel.

I remember how shocked I was, when I read the scorecards in the paper the following day! I did not see it that close at all.

 

The fight wasn't as close as it was. BUT! It was expected to be a mismatch,
and should've been. Hagler for all his greatness, seemed to overthink
against certain fighters , especially fighters capable of countering him
effectively. That was the case against Duran and later Leonard.

 

It wasn't as close as the cards made it out to be.

Duran was riding high on his comeback wave after beating Cuevas and Moore. Everyone wanted to see the storybook ending.

Also, Hagler wasn't nearly the name he later became. It was his first closed circuit fight. He wasn't a household name yet, like Duran.

Clean win for the reigning champ.

 

Not very. But on paper, arguably the greatest middleweight of all time, in his prime, being taken the distance by a faded lightweight, is a very impressive feat by Duran.

 

Right. People wanted the storybook ending for Duran. If Hagler had been a bigger name himself at the time, the cards probably would've reflected more of how clean-cut a win it was.

Hagler was guaranteed $8 million/Duran $7 million. Even with all his problems, Duran had enough pull to basically split the purse. He was the bigger name going in, albeit the underdog.

 

Marvin was my favorite middleweight.

 

I will have to check that out. Thanks.

 

I was a huge Duran fan but when he signed to fight Hagler I thought it was a bridge too far. After he won the 13th round I had Duran within a point. But Hagler pulled away winning 144-141 on my card. People seem to forget Duran didn't have a mark on him and Marvin was the one who looked like someone had taken his lunch money. It was too much too ask of a 33 year old former lightweight with a 67 inch reach to beat one of the 2 or 3 best middleweight champs of all time who had a 75 inch reach and an iron chin.