Hagler v Hearns is one of the most overrated fights ever.

If you didn't live the era and the buildup to that fight as a serious boxing fan you could never know just what it brought, wow. Watching it after the fact, particularly way after the fact makes it sterile, almost impotent comparative to what it truly was. This fight had a 3 year buildup after it fell thru earlier and what a build up it was. After Hearns electrifying annihilation of Duran you could argue it was #1 vs #2 P4P. Their respective performances against Duran also had many believing Hearns was a good chance of walking away the winner.

Both combatants had also built a healthy dislike of each other and by the time they got in the ring the intensity was beyond fever pitch. To have that backed up by a start that belied even the most optimistic predictions and you had one helluva fight. The first round was primal with little to no regard to skills. As talented as both men were they were happy to go at it on Neanderthal like terms. Many times Superfights that promised spectacular fireworks had failed to ignite such as Spinks - Qawi for example. Not this one.

The aftermath was one of disbelief.

 

People need to understand that overrated or not, it doesn't take away how exciting the fight was. I heard many people talked about how overrated this fight is, but what do I care? I still ****in' loved it anyway... It doesn't actually need to be competitive, sometimes watching a fighter courageously fighting despite clearly knowing he's losing can put you on the edge of your seat. Wilder-Fury 3 is another good example of somewhat one sided fight but extremely entertaining especially if you're watching it live during the time.

 

I agree, I mean it's overrated compared to some of the really great rumbles in history but as you say I thought basically after about 90 seconds of exchanges Tommy started retreating , giving ground and fighting off his back foot. He'd already nailed Marvin and when he kept coming Hagler started roughing him up and Tommy can't go like that. The cut was added drama but where it was made it meaningless as to who'd win.

 

Agree with all but the last sentence, Reinhardt.

I think the location of the cut was anything but 'meaningless'. The doctors and the ref seemed to think its location merited a good deal of attention and their repeated inspection of it - mid-fight and between rounds - did throw the outcome, even when Tommy was having to give ground, into doubt.

 

Perfect post. This grabs the specific lead-up and event itself to perfection. Cheers, John

 

Well said!

 

Thank you.

 

Hartford Civic Center 1985. At the fight closed circuit with my teacher and a few other students. Loved Hagler. Feared Hearns. I guess if you were watching it that night you felt like having a heart attack. Even though MMH was pressing ---- everyone was leery of Tommy's power. Then the cut..... Overrated ? Perhaps now that i have watched it too many times. But for that night. My greatest boxing night so far. Great posts everyone. Have a good Super Bowl

 

Couldn’t agree more on context. Lived it, watched it. Crazy atmosphere and buildup. I wanted a Hearns KO so bad I could taste it. After round one, I knew it was over. Hagler turned out to be one of my all time favs.

 

not sure if that right hand hit Hagler on the jaw or head. But it moved him... That is why most were still unsure of the outcome. I loved MMH. Always appreciated Tommy.

 

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I watched the fight at Penn National Racetrack in Pennsylvania which is now Hollywood Casino. The first round was beyond incredible and the crowd at the racetrack were in an absolute pitched frenzy. Watching it live and not knowing what was going to happen is a far cry from watching it now. It's not the best fight I ever saw but round 1 is arguably the best single round ever.

 

Thanks Clint.

 

A post like this takes you right to the heart of boxing.

I love the part where tho it was only a three round fight no-one felt they didn't get their money's worth. That explains so much right there.

We can find any amount of GREAT wars between clubfighters and fringe contenders but these may have been the best two P4P fighters on the earth. The sheer quality and esteem of both combatants make it very very special indeed.

 

As a 17-year old listening to round-by-round updates and being a diehard Hagler fan, I was euphoric when I heard he'd won. Jumping up and down, punching the air, on cloud nine for days afterward. I haven't been that affected by a fight result before or since. That says all I need to know.