Revisited last night. Beautiful controlled performance from Marvin. I think I almost prefer this one to the Antuofermo and Hamsho fights. His physical conditioning was amazing, the guy was a specimen. Anyway, what's your favorite Hagler fight and why??
I have Hagler-Sibson on DVD & now you mentioned it, I'm gonna review the fight later this evening. Sibson was a tough, tough fighter, he was game as hell. Only problem was that he was a bit like Hatton in letting himself get way out condition. Halger was on a different level entirely to Sibson, but that's no disrespect to Sibbo. Marvin was just extra special as a boxer. In respect of my favourite Hagler fight, there are many to choose from. The performance against Mugabi is right up there for me. Halger was fighting a man who punched harder than himself, was hungry, younger, stronger etc. Hagler took what John had & then came took control. The sixth round is one of the best ever rounds I've seen.
Like you choice Danny, I think the Mugabi fight is a great exposition on how tough Hagler was. He really absorbed some punishment on his way to victory. In terms of pure boxing ability i.e. hitting without getting hit, the Sibson and Hamsho fights are hard to go past.
it was a boxing clinic against sibson.he was up on his toes a lot and his combinations and switch hitting simply befuddled sibbo who was a dangerous opponent.i think it's right up there with one of haglers best performances.
A nice quote from Sibson himself from my favorite boxing book "Lords of the Ring." ----- 'The man was an artist, a master. He put me in a cage, locked the door and threw away the key.'
Right after the fight he said "I didn't realise it was such a jump up in class. But that class is really just a class of one man". Very sporting was Sibbo. ps. Anyone ever noticed that geezer with the beard flipping Tony the bird when the fight finishes. Twat.
Hagler was brilliant in his final hurrah; he was never quite so Marvelous post Sibson. Personally though I think Hagler was his absolutely best in the late 70s, before he met Antuofermo in 79.
Impressive performance ,though Sibsons preparation ,or lack of it was woeful,even down to a repaired protector that gave up during the fight,Marvin said after it was halted "I was just dipping in to my tool box".
Now that you mention it, I think I'm going to drink some beer tonight and watch that series of Hagler DVDs. Thanks for the suggestion! There's something about the old warrior beating the young guy that really inspires me. I think this is why so many were upset with Taylor over Hopkins X 2, beyond the obvious closeness of the fights themselves. As a Jones fan, I enjoy his late heroics in Tarver I immensely, although he wasn't nearly the fighter he had been at his best. I thought Marvin was best around 1980-81. Interesting to hear someone thinks he was better pre-79. How ya say?
I haven't seen very many Hagler fights (4 to be exact), and out of the four of course I would have to pick the Hearns fight. I just ordered his 24 fight DVD collection yesterday though and I can't wait to watch them all!