I was also thinking of Hamsho 1/2, Minter, and even with Eugene Hart where he boxed of the back foot. I disagree that the "action" version of Hagler was necessarily the one that was morphing into a plodding slugger around the time of Duran/Roldan. How would you rate him as an action fighter in the fights that I have mentioned? Edit: Nevermind, after reviewing the choices, I think I know what style is meant by "action." Morales seems out of place on the list, though.
I thought the first Hamsho fight was a terrific display of boxing, educated movement, jabbing, picking shots. The rematch was interesting, Hagler saw an opening and unleashed a combo that dropped Hamsho and then he finished him shortly after. It's been awhile since I've seen the Hart fight, I recall Hagler outboxing him for most of it and landing a very nice shot that dropped Hart as he came in. I guess people can have different views than others on what makes an "action fighter". When I think of the most action-packed fighters, I usually think of guys who make great two-way action bouts (Saad, Gatti, Chacon) or perhaps aggressive guys who like to bomb you out early (young Benn and Tyson). Hagler was generally too skillful for the first and too methodical for the latter.
Oh I didn't see that, I already replied. I think Morales was great for two-way action bouts though. Barrera 1 and 3, Diaz, Chavez, Chi, Pacquiao 1-2, Maidana, were all pretty tough fights. He didn't have any dramatic come from behind wins like Gatti, Chacon, or Saad, but you usually got fan friendly fights with him.
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking that the choices were more of the "bomb you out" type that you mentioned. Good point about the great two way action type of fighter; I never considered that. In the case of Marvin, he was methodical as you said, which could make for poor two way action but, though he didn't try to bomb guys out for the majority of his career; he still managed to close the show more than any other middle weight. That leaping right hook that he would throw when he had a man hurt, ala Minter and Hamsho1 was beautiful.
1. Tommy Hearns 2. Henry Armstrong 3. Arturo Gatti 4. Mike Tyson 5. Aaron Pryor shouts to Dempsey, Saad Muhammad, Lamotta, Mclelland, Mancini, Chacon
Yeah, it really sucks when boxing is actually entertaining. Anyway, Gatti is my all-time favorite, so I voted for him although I nearly voted for Morales.