Personally I think not. It was a disputed decision, all years later still is. The guys a legend anyway. Thoughts?
I concur with your opinion, Leonard wanted no second bout with Hagler, but the loss in no way harms the legacy of Hagler, as you say a legend of our sport. The loss of the title was disputed, sadly the night he won the title from Minter was controversial and a dark day in our sport, in regard of the crowds reaction, no fighter who wins a world title fairly should have to be escorted from the ring while enduring bottles, glasses and abuse raining down on them.
Yes, it immensely damaged Hagler's legacy. If he had beaten Leonard, I think almost everybody would have him as the #1 or #2 Middleweight of all time. I agree the decision was dubious. But, just like the dubious decision on Golovkin-Alvarez I, the official verdict is still historically damaging for the loser.
I don't think it hurt hagglers legacy at all, but I never liked how Hagler reacted to the loss. He should have at least given Leonard his props and demanded a rematch. Instead he basically took his ball and went home. He was up there in age and may have been ready for retirement anyway, but the boxibg elites try and paint the picture that Hagler was so disenfranchised by the decision that he just couldn't carry on, which I think is a crock. I think Haglers heart for fighting was already waning and Leonard just came and took the rest of his soul
Don't people already have him top 2 ? Atleast top 3. I thought it's always SRR, Monzon, Hagler, then you have GGG and Hopkins. The decision is debatable but not robbery, Hagler giving away first 3 or 4 rounds is just shooting himself in the foot. And he can't have no complaints after making such a school boy error there.
Absolutely damaged his legacy and helped Leonard’s, and solely due to the judges who could’ve come up w scores for Hagler if they felt like it.
At least slightly. Losing to a smaller, inactive, post-prime fighter is never a good look, and the fight arguably further raised questions about Hagler’s “ring IQ.”
I'd say no, but I understand those who's opinion differs. What stood out for me in that fight was how slow and sluggish Hagler looked. He reminded me a middleweight closer to 40 than 33 and I'll say this with confidence. Had Duran fought that version of Hagler he beats him. I think the punishment Marvin received from Mugabi was never really appreciated due to Haglers great chin but if you look at Haglers head after the fight it was the worst damage I believe he ever took in the ring. I was not really surprised that Hagler retired , after watching the replay I thought if he continues he'll end up losing to a fighter he'd have crushed a few years ago. I have Marvin securely as one of the best middleweights of all time with Greb, Monzon, and Robinson. That is a great legacy in my view.
I don't think so no, i think his pride was hurt more, he resented leonard getting the decision and who can blame him, personally i thought he won the fight, and i said at the time that hype and SRLs publicity machine played a part in him getting the nod, the fans were like girls at a One direction concert!!
Yep. It's a little like Ali and Spinks for me, he was slowing down and would never have lost to Leon in his prime. But we don't think any worse of him for it. A few years previously for me, Hagler smashes Ray. Just timing.
In the sense that his legacy would have been better if he'd won, yes. It didn't make him retroactively lose other fights he'd already won, though. Most of his legacy already existed before the Leonard fight.
I don't really think it hurt his legacy. He is still ranked extremely highly at 160 which would be the case even if he didn't fight Leonard. However, I think winning the fight would have enhanced his legacy.
