How steep was Hagler’s decline following the Hearns and then the Mugabi fights?

Excellent post

 

Hagler's decline was evident as early as the Roldan fight where Marv was already appearing old and slow. Even Larry Merchant made a comment to that effect after the fight.

 

In the early 80's Hearns and Leonard BOTH avoided fights with Hagler. They saw what everyone else saw, a prime middleweight who was a destroyer. Hearns watched Duran basically use his defense and skills to frustrate Hagler and Hearns became emboldened and put a up a good fight but he couldn't slug with Hagler. Leonard knew how much Marvin had slipped after the Mugabi fight and took great advantage against a Hagler that looked like he was underwater throwing punches. To me Hagler looked like he had slipped 20 to 25% in speed and reflexes from the time he had assassinated Tony Sibson and Wilford Sypion

 

I don't think Hagler faded at all. Hagler actually won that fight against Leonard, it was just Leonard knew what to do to "steal" every round.

If memory serves me correctly, Halger retired after that fight and moved overseas. He still had plenty of fight in him.

 

Hagler won the Leonard fight really yes.
but he was very much declined by then.

 

Hagler's was a relatively steep decline, given the fairly significant period of his career, during which he might have been considered to be in his prime.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to suggest Hagler had lost a step, prior to Mugabi (probably post-Duran), but most people acknowledge that he had notably slowed down against The Beast.

This descent occurred over a couple of years, two-and-a-half, at most - and, in only a handful of bouts.

 

You can't argue about the decision when Hagler gave away the first 3 or 4 rounds, whilst trying to play mind games with Leonard boxing right handed, when he should of been all business fighting as a lefty. Going after Leonard with mean intent like he did with Mugabi and Hearns. So Hagler only has himself to blame for that one.

 

I thought Leonard won against Hagler, I think by a point or two? Anyway, Marvin certainly seemed to be slowing down when he fought Duran, maybe even a fight or two before that, actually.

If Hagler hadn't messed about fighting orthodox for so long at the beginning, I think he'd have won the fight. If he were prime, Leonard would've been in for one rough night!

 

I score fight for Hagler. he won more round. yes he should have KO Leonard but I still see he win the more round. I can not take that away because he fought some part wrong strategy. is nothing to argue about yes I do agree.

 

Both got around to fighting him. In the early 1980s neither was a true middleweight.

You can likewise say Marvin avoided Michael Spinks like the plague. You could say he saw what everyone else saw — a prime light heavyweight who was a destroyer. But unlike Leonard, Hearns and Duran, Hagler never moved up to test those waters.

That doesn’t detract from his legacy, but to say a couple of welterweights avoided a middleweight is no different than saying a middleweight avoided a light heavyweight.

 

On paper that^ appears to be a sound point.

In reality, there's little comparison, in the ways that matter, between Leonard/Hearns/Hagler and Hagler/Spinks. To start with, there was never the public clamor for the latter match-up. Conversely, there was a clear demand for Hagler/Hearns and Hagler/Leonard.

Perhaps more important is the fact that both Hearns and Leonard were big Welterweights, while Hagler was considered a small Middleweight. Meanwhile, Spinks was seen as a big Light Heavyweight.

The ask of Leonard and Hearns, to move up and match Hagler at 160, was not the same as the ask of Hagler to compete against Spinks at 175.

So, in this case, "to say a couple of welterweights avoided a middleweight" is actually quite different to "saying a middleweight avoided a light heavyweight".

 

historical sense if a welterweight move to 154 & win 'world junior middle' title he should be ready to challenger for middle
look at history
i think Leonard, Hearns, Benitez was first generation of bigs names welter to even stop off at the 154 class

 

Neither wanted Hagler until a true lightweight, Duran, fought him. Hearns had a contract to fight Hagler and pulled out with an injured little finger.

 

Yes I agree: injuries in training happen in boxing. It’s a physical toll.

Acting like there’s something wrong a fighter pulling out due to a finger injury is wrong/suspect in a sport where you literally strike people with your hands in asinine.

Hagler also postponed fights due to his own training injuries too.

Leonard suffered a detached retina, which was a career-ending injury at the time until advances in eye surgery made reattachment of the retina possible.

As I recall, both fought Hagler. Nobody ducked him, lol.

 

Great post, Double M.