Hagler had the ability to punch like hell when he was coming forward and was in the mood for it, see Sugar Ray Seales III among others, but when he chose to box he was often far from devastating. Robinson could box and be devastating.
I agree with this, though I think Robinson was a better middle than Hagler during his prime as a middle. Ray threw works of art that were devastating in their impact.
Ray Robinson though at his best as Welterweight, Kod Rocky Graziano with one right hand,Kod the rock hard Gene Fullmer with a left hook-uppercut, Stopped the rugged Randy Turpin with a great flurry,and all this past his peak...Hagler a natural middleweight, was stronger than Ray, but did not hit with the velocity or speed that Robinson had...No way...Therefore I rate Ray Robinson the greater puncher at 160, though past his prime...
Robinson was the heavier handed puncher but Hagler was sharper and knew just where to hit his man. Robinson more the combination puncher whereas Hagler would put his man on ***** street with one or two well placed shots
Pender said Robinson was not the greatest pound for pound boxer but best pound for pound puncher ... he could knock you out with any punch from either hand ...
Robinson looks like the heavier hitter. When Marvin was not sharp he could hit you all night before he wears you down (Demmings, Roldan, Duran, Leonard) When he was sharp, his fights ended quickly (Hamsho 2, Scypion, Hearns)
Robinson had more P4P power and arguably more outright power at MW IMO. In his late 30s he did a brutal one-punch KO over granite-chinned MW Fullmer that sent Gene staggering half way across the ring. Did Hagler ever land a blockbuster one-punch KO like that on a durable MW? I think it was down to the hand speed, and more precise punching. Anyway, this thread is the perfect excuse for a clip [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbpw7miNL1g[/ame]
I disagree entirely. Robinson to me has the power in one punch, while Hagler would often club his opposition down, wearing them out. Even then he was hardly putting them out with single punches, was he?