Hagler Leonard II

Hagler wins. He'd go all out to get revenge, and I'd imagine he'd be as good as he could be physically.
He was also a monster in rematches. He'd learn from the first fight not to give away the early rounds and he'd learn to apply more pressure.

Hagler was Leonard's Everest. I don't think mentally he'd be as 'up' for the rematch.

Hagler by close decision.

 

I've used the same phrase many times, and it's right IMO. Here's the big 3 that favour a Hagler win....


1. Leonard had scaled his greatest ever goal in boxing. Noway was he EVER getting up like this again. Hagler by comparison was gutted and would have been fired up beyond belief to win a rematch.
The mental edge this time goes to Hagler.

2. Hagler wasn't going to make the same ridiculous tactical errors twice. Next time there would be no boxing orthodox and handing SRL the early rounds on a silver platter. Next time there would surely be no frigging around with the pace of the fight early. Next time surely Hagler would be ready to put in his own last ditch efforts each round. Hagler has proven he fights considerably better in rematches. He can't adapt smoothly and naturally like a SRL, Monzon or Hopkins in the heat of an intricate battle but certainly comes back with the right gameplan next time around. Tactically Leonard can't really improve but Hagler can.

3. Some talk about Hagler being faded but it was Leonard who had more hurdles, obviously. Leonard was also getting no younger or better. Hagler was his last great effort. Physically the going between fight 1 and fight 2 would be even for both.

There we have it. Hagler has the advantage in two key area's IMO. Leonard being the great he is will come out focused and definitely give Hagler fits in spurts with speed, brilliance and tactical genius. This time we should see Hagler use his size to advantage.

I think this fight would still be very close. Hagler is going to tire some starting earlier and Leonard will be sure to ride it out. I could see Hagler taking it by a round or two.

 

Leonard. Hagler was past it.

 

Leonard by UD.

 

Hagler. Both fighters were past their best, but Hagler fought the worst tactical & strategic fight imaginable, whereas Leonard did the opposite. 2nd time around, it would be obvious, Hagler would be ready, and wouldn't make the blunders of the first fight. He'd be ultra-aggressive and Leonard would not be able to handle it, just like no fighter ever managed to handle an aggressive Hagler.

 

I agree.

But I don't think Lenoard would have given him an immediate rematch, unless he thought Marvin went into deep depression, and gorged himself on Krispy Kreme's. Then he would demand a 10 rd fight in a 24 ft ring, and the fight to happen within 2 months.

Ray was a great Boxer no dout, but he was also a master at dictating terms, and cherry picking opportunities, due to his golden boy status.

 

Is it possible that Hearns could of done the same to Hagler as a revenge factor? Being a bit more ready with his talents and more filled out? minus a broken hand? Hagler already climbed the Hearns mountain,would the motivation had still been there?.

 

you're right. even thoug hagler was past it, he really lost becasue he fought a dumb fight, he fought leonard's fight and leonard still barely won. and didnt leonard decline a rematch?

 

They just about met again three years later in 1990. It was widely reported in the media that it was close to a done deal.

 

I heard heard or read that also somewhere believe it was here. If that is accurate, I think it would have been a sad affair had it come to fruition, IMHO.

It would have been even worse as both were clearly past it the first time, adding 3 more years would have been a mess. Do you have a source? curious as to if there's an old newspaper, or boxing mag story re this.

 

I say Ray ... Marvin was simply too slow at that point and an active Ray would have been in better shape and sharper ...