Why didn’t Marvin Hagler fight Wilfred Benitez in 1982?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, Feb 6, 2022.



  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Could have happened before then. Like in ‘82 when he fought Caveman Lee … who obviously didn’t have to beat any Hamsho to get a shot.
     
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  2. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Hagler cried about a rematch with Leonard but he only rematched people himself who he knew he could beat like Hamsho. He never rematched Duran or Hearns. Benitez was too cerebral and slick for Marvin.
     
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  3. Kid Bacon

    Kid Bacon All-Time-Fat Full Member

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    IMHO:

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  4. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think because there was not a great demand at that time in 1982. Wilfred Benitez was busy defending his 154 lb title against the likes of Roberto Duranon Jan 30 1982 in a fight televised live on HBO. Marvelous Marvin Hagler defended his title against the likes of Caveman Lee on March 7 1982 and Fulgecio Oblemejias on Oct 30 1982. I do not think that there was any interest from Benitez to move up and attempt to capture Hagler's World Middleweight Title, sometimes believe it or not some fighters know their own limitations instead of greed.
     
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  5. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Posters like JT have provided reasonable explanations as to why this fight didn’t happen - pure logistics.

    But, at any rate, what would Marvin’s motive be otherwise for not fighting Wilfredo? Is there a belief that Marv deliberately avoided Benitez for fear that he might lose or find himself in a tough fight at the least - perhaps worried about it going to a decision.

    IMO, I think the Duran fight proved that Hagler could sometimes find himself (unjustly) already a few points behind even before the first bell sounded.

    Anyway, I can’t see Marv avoiding anyone - his resume otherwise is too tight and choc filled to suggest any gaping holes.
     
  6. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I believe the test for Benitez to see if he could handle the middleweight class was his fight vs Hamsho and Hamsho beat the hell out of him.
     
  7. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Caveman Lee was a last minute substitute.
     
  8. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Benitez called out Hagler after beating Duran.

    The fight was on HBO, which wasn’t as widely available as it would become, and also closed circuit at various locations.

    There’s no reason not to fight him. It’s a bigger fight than some Marvin did take in this period and he still needed a bigger-name opponent to break beyond just being HBO’s ‘house champion.’ That finally came with the Duran fight and later Hearns and Leonard. (MMH was never an attraction on his own, always needed an A-list opponent to break the HBO ceiling.)

    If Marvin fights Benitez, we have Five Kings instead of four. It’s a shame he didn’t get that chance.
     
  9. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    At the end of 1982 Benitez had just been basically shut out by Hearns which is not exactly a huge selling point for him to all the sudden face Hagler.
    So of course he moves up and decisions Tony Cerda at middleweight.
    Hamsho is his next bout at middleweight and this is the showcase fight for Benitez to make a statement that he should fight Hagler.
    Well as we all know Hamsho mugged Benitez and right after that Benitez dropped back down to jr.middle.
    When was Hagler suppose to fight him and why would there be demand for that fight when Benitez got dominated by Hamsho who Hagler beat up TWICE?
     
  10. Liston73

    Liston73 Active Member banned Full Member

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    I doubt this fight would have been a big draw.
     
  11. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hagler would have beaten the hell out of Benitez so lets all just stop with the he ducked Benitez.
    Benitez couldn't even get past HAMSHO and supposedly hes going to or could have beaten Hagler?
    Benitez called out Hagler after Duran but fights Hearns instead? And lost. Is he suppose to all the sudden get a title shot coming off a loss?
    He had TWO fights at middleweight to test the water - Cerda and Hamsho. And he lost one.
     
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  12. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It would have been a bigger draw than all of his title fights besides Leonard, Hearns and Duran. Surely a bigger draw than Fully Obel x2, Hamsho x2, Caveman, etc.
     
  13. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He fought Hearns because Hagler didn’t (pulled out with injury) at the time.

    Whether he would have won or lost is immaterial. Most people thought Hagler would run Duran and Leonard out of the ring, but Marvin had a habit of sometimes fighting cautious with a boxer type. Also against Antuofermo.

    Bottom line, Hagler vs. Benitez at the time or on his resume for historic purposes is a far more meaningful matchup (and more attractive) than all his defenses except for a few. He should have taken the opportunity.
     
  14. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Your talking about a Hagler that was past his best vs Leonard so it isn't close to the samething is it as say a Hagler in 1982/83?
    Hagler got flat out robbed vs Vito the first time and the draw was ridiculous.
    Your comparison of certain fighters is ridiculous considering Vito was ALOT stronger then Benitez and fought in a totally different manner.
    Benitez isn't even remotely close to Duran so again another bad comparison.
    As a matter of fact Benitez fought Moore shortly after Hearns and got dropped HARD so if a limited fighter like Moore finds his chin what do you think a Hagler in his prime is going to do?
    Benitez simply didn't have the strength needed at Middleweight as Hamsho easily showed.
    Had he beaten Hamsho he gets a shot at Hagler its really that simple. He didn't and not only that he got dominated against a fighter Hagler crushed TWICE.
     
  15. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You keep throwing in Caveman do you not understand that he was a last minute substitute?
    And Benitez might have drawn more then some of those boxers but this is what you fail to realize: how much money would it have cost the promotion to have Benitez fighting because Benitez wasn't cheap.