How would have Hagler fared in the 1980s LHW division?

Logistically, he didn't have issues dealing with tall opponents like Obel and Hearns. But he'd have to be a southpaw cutie at 175 [similar to what he displayed to Bennie Briscoe], not a destroyer. Like Robinson against Maxim, he'd best be served at whatever weight optimal conditioning left him to compete at. Speculation is that when re-hydrated following his weigh-ins, he typically entered the ring around 168. That would enhance his punch resistance considerably.

He may very well have had a Toney/Hopkins like chin for competing at higher weights.

Mustafa Muhammad and Saad Muhammad both had withering body attacks, and Hagler was hurt to the body in sparring by Boogaloo Watts [who Marv employed some time after their rematch], causing a postponement of an upcoming bout. [How meaningful this episode truly was is very much open to conjecture though. Ali was also hurt badly to the body in sparring. Competition while in top condition is another matter.] Marvin Johnson could swarm without gassing if one tried to stick and move on him. Being able to stand ground and put up blocks was necessary to wear him out, and I don't see Hagler doing that.

SRL and his team had a prudent precondition for squaring off against Marv during the early 1980s. Have Hagler make 160 at fight time. That's what Marv should have stipulated for any LHW Titlist he faced.

Very sensible of him not to try though. The MW Championship was the only title never fragmented throughout the time he remained on top, and there was no rational cause for him to consider moving up when he never had trouble making 160. [In fact, he believed he was slightly faster and sharper when a few pounds under that limit.]

 

Some brutal operators in that division at that time, Hagler always seemed a little small.

 

The rest is up for debate, but no way he beats Spinks.

 

I think Haglar would have run the show...

 

What about Marvin against the Lt Heavy Hearns?

 

Marvin's frame was perfect for the Middleweight division. A move to 175 lbs would have been too much as far as beating the top men in that poundage.

 

Tommy's "weak chin" would still be there at 175 or 190 or 190 or 200 for Hagler to exploit

 

Hagler would not have fared too well in the lightheavy division, kind of like Monzon....they were ideally suited for the middleweights.

 

Oh yeah, that lightheavy Hagler would have defeated (again)

 

:deal

 

He might have done a lot better than people think.

Although the principle was never tested, he actually appears to have a lot of the attributes we see in past fighters who were successful at overcoming physical disparities.