Hagler will have to come to fight the entire 15 (12?) rounds. He can't pull a Duran or Vito type fight. Joey is battle tested against all the great MW's of the late 50's and early 60's....and wouldn't be intimidated by Hagler. Hagler wins a close UD.
Yes Longhorn, that's the way I see it too,...I loved Joey and all that wizardry he possessed, but Marvin would have edged him I believe.
Hagler would be baffled by Giardello for a bit...but would discover that Joey doesn't really have the firepower to keep him honest...Hagler would come on for a clear cut decision IMO.
I dont think Giardello would need the firepower to stop Hagler from coming on, just the boxing skill and size/strength to be in control which he did have Even a guy like Marcos Geraldo who wasnt in Giardellos class but was just a rangy, good boxer who fought Hagler in control was able to make the fight close and make Hagler look beatable, Hagler did come on at the end and take it when Marcos seemed tired, but bar Giardello relaxing in training I dont know if I could definitely see Hagler being able to just come on and take rounds simply cause Giardello dosent have a huge punch. Joey had some punch and was too skilled a fighter to be able to let someone win just by them not respecting his power.
The pre title Hagler did demonstrate tendencies to wait on opponents, and even in his fight against Duran he did this. But overall during the title reign, he would press more...and if he did not press Giardello hard...it's possible he would lose. Maybe my post sounds dismissive of Giardello...didn't mean for it to. Hagler would have to overcome his tendency to stay back...which he has demonstrated the capacity to due just that in his championship defenses, even the Duran defense. Given that, I think Giardello's lack of power would figure to be one of the primary factors into the equation of Hagler decisioning him...I don't think Giardello could deter Hagler...even bombs from Hearns didn't deter Hagler, with that said...
Wow. Great match-up. Joey could certainly rise to the occasion and beat top shelf fighters and Marvin could certainly wallow below his class. I'm going to play the percentages and say Marvin wins but that I would not be totally shocked if Joey finds the key to victory. 72/28 Marvin victory.
I think actually you could up the ante some more on that...when Joey was "on" he would give anybody you can name a fight at the weight...Yeah? With the arguements on here sometimes you would think that the disparities of championship level fighters were large...in some cases, maybe...but I'd say in general it would minor differences that could influence a fight...because anyone that has reached a championship level is a force in their own right.
Hagler is my in number one middle but Giardello is a boxer who's style I greatly admite. I think Giardello would push Hagler all the way over 12 or 15 rounds. Giardello's lateral feet movement would trouble Hagler as it did against Carter. Giardello could also slug when he wanted to but Hagler would do enough to win. Over 15 I'd favour the bald one 9-6 or 8-7.
