Hagler had comparable reach against the huge punching Mugabi, but what caused Mugabi great trouble vs Hagler was Hagler's abitlity to throw and land combinations up closer on the inside. Put this fight on last night just to get a glimpse of it to refreshen my memory of what Hagler looked like that evening and I so entertained witht he action I ended up watching the whole fight from beggining to end. WAR MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER!
It was a fantastic classic. Mugabi had an IRON chin. As did Marvin. Those 2 were meant for each other in the ring. Violent exchanges
Hagler was just a bad mofo Imagine coming up against him in a street fight where he could do anything he chose
Hagler could of just bided his time shooting the jab to easily outbox Mugabi, but the fans pay money to see so much more and thats what Hagler brought to the ring every time he entered it. When you're on another level your opponent cant reach put the full arsenal on display and dont just waltz your way to a decision, its something that is sorely lacking with so many fighters nowdays.
Hagler was well beyond a street fighter, you could see it even in fights he was in seek and destroy mode, he'd guage a correct distance and double and tripled up on the jab. He was a complete fighter in every sense of the word.
One of the greatest Middleweights of all time......and definitely not malodorous. RIP Champ! This content is protected
Hagler was also noticeably slower and more hittable by 1986. I thought he started declining a bit by the time he faced Roldan. The peak version who fought Sibson or Hamsho the first time around was lighter on his feet, and also sharper with his parrying and head movement. So the fight ended up being more exciting and brutal. Hagler ended up taking a lot of hard shots from Mugabi, even pissing blood from the body shots.
Hell, senator Kennedy got involved to even give Hagler a shot. Bob Arum (who else) was doing him dirty by letting him be ducked. Hagler would have been 25-0 or something if threated fairly. By this point he was slower and past prime. Otherwise Srl would never gave fought him. I like how they both didnt back down. Hagler was pissed of as usual and beat him down eventually. Marvin signaling for him to get back up after he dropped him. He wanted to continue whooping him. R.i.p. marvelous marvin Hagler
Hearns was a killer. I could picture him laying out 3-4 guys in a bar fighting like that. He was trying his damndest to take Hagler out. Shows how teak tough Hagler was.
