Hagler let his vanity get the better of him - and it was meant to route the more celebrated Leonard at every level - something Hagler didn’t have to do in order to secure an otherwise, straight line, A to B victory. Leonard was vain also but still perfectly realistic. He got the 12 round limit, the bigger gloves and large ring. Marv was the last and most significant variable piece in the perfect Storm jigsaw - and boy, did Marvin make himself fit ever so snugly into Ray’s overall scheme. Leonard did a psyche job leading into the fight so Hags tried to prove himself superior to Ray at every level. If it were say, a psyche proof, vain yet still wholly practical, Monzon, for better or worse, he would not have varied his game plan, fighting to his absolute strengths in order to break Ray down and take him out as soon as it was reasonably possible. Not once would a smile crease Monzon’s lips. All business.
“Randy” Saintpat. Maybe allow one more try but to a different tune? Something from The Breakfast Club perhaps? Let’s go for a revised feel good YES, Dawg!!
Clearly you are unacquainted with Blizzy Blizz and This content is protected I This content is protected T This content is protected A This content is protected
Yeah, the Quarry rematch was perhaps the fight the fight where he throw the most sharp, short hooks and uppercuts. Not something he was known for otherwise.
Very hard to say who was the best in their primes. Hagler could do everything, and had no clear weakness, while Ali more relied on talent and some top end skills. I suppose there will always be a question mark on how Hagler would handle a top level technician. Not withstanding that Ali lost to the top pressure fighter of his time he fought he also beat him twice, so I think he gave a somewhat more clear answer. Maybe you could see that as separating them, but there really isn't much .
The thread got deleted by the mods and Blizz never came back again. It involved his mom meeting Ali and remarking what big hands he had. Things ... went downhill from there.
Ah, it all almost makes sense now. Kidding. Gotcha. Just as well she never met Sonny Liston - she might’ve fainted on the spot.
Does anyone think Hags had any confidence issues or lack of 100% belief in himself? The Duran fight for instance. I expected that to be a KO/TKO outcome in Marv’s favour. No mistake, I thought Hags won the fight clearly but was surprised it went to a decision. I think Hags suffered in the judges eyes perhaps due to pre fight expectations like my own - being measured relative to those expectations. Conversely, Roberto possibly gained “extra” credit for performing above and beyond what was expected of him. Such perceptions fail to converge with the true, required measurement of Hags performance relative to that of Roberto’s - a fight that wasn’t as close many believe, at least imo. However, all that besides, as great as Duran was, he was a natural LW - should or could Hagler have beaten Roberto more decisively than he actually did? Did he try to box Duran too much also - or was Roberto simply that cagey? The Hearns fight was great for Marvin. Little time to think or second guess himself. The way Tommy put it to him, Marv had no option but to “do” and do what he did best.
Top technicians? You mean Leonard? Ali never fought a heavyweight as quick as Leonard aside from tiny Floyd, who had a shorter reach than Ray. Hearns and Duran were better technicians than anybody Ali fought.