I also heard he wanted 12 million which was unheard of at the time. Did they tease the public for about 2 years like pac-floyd or was it longer? And were ppl giving up hope like we are about pac-floyd?
Hearns first became a champ in August 1980. Leonard had lost his title in June of that year, and then regained it in November. Angelo Dundee talked about letting the fight build, but it still took place with 10 months (Sept 1981) of both of them being champs. Where as Mayweather-Pacquiao should've already happened over a year ago.
you remember if hearns was the favorite going in being that he was undefeated and leonard had already lost to duran?
Saw this a few weeks ago, talking about the Hagler-Leonard negotiations [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldh3nQqIae8&feature=channel_video_title[/ame]
When there were less titles available the best fighters actually aspired to fight each other. Unlike now when there's a alphabet for everyone and no necessity to challenge yourself against quality opposition.
Hagler-Hearns was a long time in the making, and made possible because one man (Hagler) was willing to cede to the demands of the other (Leonard) in exchange for substantial sums of moolah. Ring size, rounds, gloves etc, were all given to Leonard's choice. Hagler took millions of dollars for them, thinking he could win easily anyway.