Hagler against McCallum, Nunn, Kalambay, Toney

MMH at his peak beats all 4 guys mentioned by the OP, absolutely no question in my mind. As someone (my apologies, I can't remember who) said earlier in the thread, it's a case of elite versus very, very good.

When rating ATG MWs, Hagler dines at the very top table. When conversations turn to "who is the greatest MW of all time", MMH is ALWAYS mentioned, Nunn, Kalambay, Toney & McCallum aren't.

As for Benn, Eubank, Watson & Graham, Hagler wipes the floor with these guys, although Graham would I think give MMH the most awkward fight of the 4 (before the roof falls in on him).

I am of the opinion that Benn, Watson, Graham & Eubank as a group were generally a small notch below McCallum, Nunn, Toney & Kalambay collectively, if you see what I mean?

 

:thumbsup Well said! Boxing is all about different levels and Hagler in his prime was as good as it gets. He is rightly mentioned in the same breath as Sugar Ray Robinson.

 

In!

 

Nunn has a great chance due to being a rangy southpaw with exceptional skills.

Toney would do VERY well (people forget just how great he was on his day) but Marv's workrate would be too much for him, IMO.

McCallum has a great shot, but MM wins that one.

Kalambay could pose some problems, but Marv would nick it.

 

I agree with this. I would likely pick Hagler against all 4, and he certainly seems like the favorite going into all of these fights....but if he is fighting them in a stretch run, he very likely may pick up a loss. Which do I give the best chance??? Probably McCallum

 

Who do you guys give McCallum such a high chance of winning? Just curious... ;-)

 

McCallum was an exceptional skilled fighter .. chin, defense, body punching, very good speed , terrific conditioning .. he had that extra gear and unusual rhythmic ability that could frustrate a guy like Marv not to mention while Hagler had a granite chin no one likes getting hit to the body ..

 

Would love to see all four of these fighters go against Hagler I believe those four all have a chance against any middleweight fighter. Still I'd have to pick Hagler over all of them, his consistency while fighting being the biggest difference. Hagler round after round was always dangerous and could set one hell of a pace that most fighters even great fighters couldn't keep up with. Along with excellent boxing craft, one of the better chins ever displayed, ferocious killer instinct and power to go along with it made him one of the best of all time. I some these match ups up like this.

vs McCallum- I think if these two met it would certainly be a classic. McCallum is truly one of the best middleweights of all time and best fighters of his time. I picture a bout between him in Hagler to be very hard fought. I think they'd go back and forth winning rounds and the fight would be fought at a heck of a pace with lots of punches being thrown. Something tells me Hagler around the 11-12 would take over. I think he'd hurt McCallum and Hagler had one hell of a killer instinct once he had a fighter hurt he was relentless. Once McCallum was hurt I feel Hagler would really put it on him, McCallum would fight back well and try to survive but Hagler would keep up the pressure and keep coming with combinations and well placed punches eventually breaking down and finishing McCallum off somewhere in the late rounds in what would be a sure classic.

vs Nunn- I think Nunn would do very well in the early rounds. I wouldn't expect to be dominating or out classing Hagler by any means but I'd expect him to have the lead through the first 6 or 7 rounds. But then I'd expect him to wilt just a little bit from the consistent attack of Hagler and Hagler would capitlize catching him and putting him down, Nunn would probably get up but wouldn't last much longer as Hagler would follow up and take him out. I see this one ending by TKO/KO for Hagler in the middle rounds.

vs Kalambay- Kalambay I could see giving Hagler trouble because of his excellent boxing skills and defense. Out of the four I'd give him the best chance of winning strictly on being able to out point Hagler. Still if they fought I think Kalambay would give Hagler trouble but Hagler would be the aggressor and eventually figure out Kalambay and win the majority of the late rounds winning a UD in a slightly dull fight especially for Hagler's standards.

vs Toney- Toney is another excellent fighter and IMO is amongst the better middleweights of all time especially as a super middleweight. I think Toney on a good night would give Hagler a very tough fight. I saw someone referencing the Duran vs Hagler fight in speculating upon Toney vs Hagler and I do think the fights would be similar in a sense. I think Toney would have some good rounds and much like Duran would never be visibly shaken by Hagler both physically or mentally but overall I'd expect Hagler to win a pretty clear decision in a very good fight.

 

the Hagler of 82 NO FIGHTER would last more than a few minutes. I really give Obe credit for lasting the 5 he did against such a devestating fighter

M. M would hang around a couple rounds until Marv decided to put him out of his misery

Nunn would hang around longer on account of his style is a bit harder to solve. Nunn, also a lefthander had a great left that Marv must look out for. That would also prolong the bout. Even Hagler must exercise caution against such a lethal weapon

but McCallum had no such power and would last until the accumulation of punishment would cause him to bow out, probably on his stool

Toney would be an easy fight. totally out of his league (see Roy Jones)

Kalambay ws a good distance fighter, on the same level as an Alan Minter but without the problem of facial cuts. again, Hagler anytime he wants

 

These four fighters really put into perspective how **** Hagler's era was.

There was no "murderers row" to go through in the seventies. The only world class contender Hagler fought during that time was a decrepit Bennie Briscoe.

 

People don't realise how tough Hagler had it on his way up, he fought some top opposition against those Philly fighters without recognition.