Hagler vs Leonard

Marantz's book is the absolute truth.Leonard spent the majority of his career talking about the possibilty of fighting Hagler,but waited until it was obvious that Marvin's reflexes were shot.You answered it yourself."its Haglers worst performance ever, not because Leonard was brilliant but because Hagler was aging and slow. He retired because he realized that any boxer with a bit of speed could outbox him".Don't you believe someone as intelligent and crafty as Leonard realized this?I have always hated Leonard and the reason is that all of the events that Marantz mentions in his book were transpiring right before all of our eyes.

 

What really annoys me is that some many people out there give Leonard the excuse that he was past his prime when he got manhandled by Norris(which of course is the truth),but the same people aren't willing to accept the truth that Hagler couldn't even get out of the way of punches anymore(anyone see slow Roldan or Mugabi?),which of course Leonard knew better than anyone on the planet.It's ****ing hilarious because even Duran picked Hagler saying he knew because he's fought both.But what Duran was doing was picking the Hagler HE fought,not the shot version that fought Leonard.Leonard always spoke about fighting Hagler throughout his career,but wanted absolutely nothing to do with him until he was certain Marvin was shot.

 

Yes it was true and no one questioned me for a long time until John Thomas last year. he wanted proof and asked that I show a photo so I did. Up till that point I gave the name of the hotel called Canyon Hotel for its proximity to Tahquitz canyon. That video which Arguello is show running in the red sweat suit you can see the San Jacinto mountains directly west. And inside the tent where for a breif moment Arguello is show moving about the ring you can also see the name Canyon Hotel

Anyways Hagler also would train there for I think the Hearns fight. I watched him spar with the Weaver brothers. Well, the crowd got very quiet almost like one of those accidents that happens on stage and people arent sure if it's part of the act. That's why i say Hagler looked comepletely shot. so much so that the impression I got was that the end of his career seemed imminent. I dont know why people refuse to believe me. I guess all they are interested in is giving ray all the credit for winning the bout

 

yeah Robbi I've always wondered how you get ahold of such great photos

 

I have a few Hagler classics as well. Looks like the Norris one I supplied you with is a keeper. You've had that for a few months now.

 

Michael Katz is the one that nailed it the best.And Leonard knew it better than anyone.Everyone seems to forget that Hagler and Leonard got on very well before the fight as Hagler actually thought he and Leonard were friends.That's the reason that Hagler has so much bitterness towards Leonard.He was duped so easily and realizes it.Leonard was so slick and clever,even more so outside the ring than in.He was always gauging Hagler,waiting patiently until he knew how shot Hagler was,and how his mind wasn't into it anymore.Congratulations to Leonard.He pulled off the ultimate conjob.

 

Like how he fares against someone of youth and speed, the ability to move out of range in an instants time and that can score in split seconds. This is what is known as getting off first in boxing, beating the other man to the punch. while Leonard looks for openings, Norris doesnt even have to think about it. Once the opening presents itself, he automatically releases as he did on Jackson.

however, jackson had the TOOLS, the firepower, the sheer tenacity to bring him down while Leonard has to take his time as he did in the Hearns fight until he feels the time is ripe. With Norris, he wouldn't have the time. Add to the fact that Terry was in better shape because it was Ray that had absorbed all of the punishment. It's a tough uphill climb to beat someone faster than yourself and only a few are equipped to actually pull it off.

 

That he did

 

Good call. Not a great fight by any means. I think in this case, the rest did one fighter good, while the other one was engaging in one war too many.

 

Hagler was a baby after the fight.

 

Who would pick a man who hadnt fought in 3years and hadnt fought at the top level for 5years to scale 2 divisions and beat arguably the best MW of all time? I would have picked Hagler too and I had Leonard winning, wonderful performance with all the odds stacked against him not that his detracters will admit that

Anyone who describes it as 'boring' I cant understand, watching Leonard is watching the sweet science at its finest, watching Leonard-Hagler is truly fascinating for me. Maybe you should stcik to Gatti-Ward and Rocky movies