Hagler: Who didn't he face and why?

Retiring isn't ducking though.

 

You don't believe Hagler ducked him, I don't believe Hagler ducked him. A fight between the two was never sought during the time either fighter was fighting. There is NO argument here Rob, I don't get what you're doing.

 

I'm not saying he ducked him but I do think there is a "why didn't he" about it.

By the way, he wouldn't of been the first to come out of retirement for a fight of that magnitude, especially if he thought he could win.

 

You're reasoning why.

"How could he possibly have avoided McCallum if they were nowhere near each other's paths during their heydays? McCallum hadn't even jumped up to MW until after Hagler had retired. Hardly a duck"

 

I think the popular opinion is that Hagler would have been rolled over at light heavweight. I wouldn't give him a chance against Spinks. Saad Muhammed is listed as 5'11" and 75 inch reach (same as Hagler). I think Hagler could have outboxed Saad if he stayed away from trading. I've also heard that Qawi would roll through Hagler. I'm not so sure. I think it's a very tought fight. If you think otherwise I think you're underestimating Hagler's boxing ability. I don't think Hagler would've been a stationary target against Qawi.

 

I wouldn't have given him a much better chance against Saad than I'd have given him against Spinks.

 

I agree that Mike McCallum proved to be a very good fighter, but I kinda' question his H.O.F. status.... Mike McCallum had no persona or marketability... Yes, its very true that Mike McCallum could NEVER draw flies to a fight card / event....

And, Duane Thomas was really a "One-Hit-Wonder" who came and went in a flash... Thomas' 1986 win over Johnny Mugabi was a fluke by way of a thumb.... Yes, Mugabi was thumbed in the corner of the eye by a long / wide hook from Thomas..... Thomas would go on to lose to Lupe Aquino in '87........ Peace...:hat

 

I don't think persona or marketability should come into HOF consideration.

 

Agreed. What a dumb ass post.

 

Agreed also, but marketability comes into it when considering different weight divisions in this debate and the making of a potential Hagler-McCallum bout, say, late 1986. Mugabi had that at the time due to his KO record. Curry was the only 'big' mooted opponent from that era that Hagler never fought (until Honeyghan knocked that into a cocked hat).



Mr.Bill. The Duane Thomas suggestion was a just a wee joke. :good

 

Pea just to be clear. McCallum hadn't made a name for himself and was green, but with Hearns and Duran having stepped up from jr middleweight to take on Hagler, don't forget that McCallum was just the weight below as well. If Hagler's rematch with Hamsho or Roldan fight had fell to pieces at the negotiating table then McCallum could have been in the pipeline. Who knows? Thats why I disagree with you saying they were not on the same paths. They fought around the same time and the divisions are right next door to each other. And they never needed to both be in their heydays at the same time, although it makes the case stronger from the boxing public. Get me now? Hope so. :good

 

Not to tear apart Mike McCallum or anything, but he NEVER became a NAME in boxing for his entire career......... Christ, Mike McCallum never really got a contract from a major cable network, either... Mike McCallum was a good fighter who was stuck on national TV while it lasted.... McCallum would go on to appear in some HBO / Showtime telecasts over the years, but usually as the opponent or second attraction; even while he was a champion.... Fact, Donald Curry was the STAR of the show on HBO in '87, and James Toney was the new blood on HBO in 1992... McCallum was the "Opponent" for Roy Jones later in 1996.... Mike McCallum was good, yet, he always seemed to play second fiddle.... Mike McCallum never appeared on a major PPV card / event.....:nono

MR.BILL

 

What's your point?

 

Maybe because McCallum wasn't a marquee fighter who made millions of dollars for each fight like Tyson or Leonard and wasn't a darling of the networks it hampers his status as an ATG? :huh

 

Point was: "Hagler did NOT duck McCallum." M.M. simply was NOT worthy of a title shot at 160 pounds prior to 1987.... And, when McCallum did move up to 160 to go after a title there, he blew a decision to Sambu Kalambay.... Believe it or not, that loss to Kalambay hurt McCallum's career.... Sure, he later came back to win a belt there, but M.M. never really captured the attention of the ordinary sports-fan... Peace...

MR.BILL:verysad