If Hagler had fought more aggressively against Duran and Leonard...

I think the “Hagler gave away rounds “ narrative is a little bit exaggerated ...Sugar Ray Leonard’s game plan was to use lateral movement...and that’s exactly what he did

 

If the fight had happened in 82 ...you would get a much better version of Hagler ...but you would also get a much better version of Leonard ( No one ever talks about that )

 

I don’t think so. I think Duran would have been smart/crafty enough to be competitive and go to the cards.

SRL- I still feel Hagler edged this fight. I don’t think Hagler could have stopped Ray under the rules of the fight. Perhaps if he had not acquiesced to Ray’s demand for a larger ring size he may have. Marv was ripe for losing (even though I don’t think he did) at this stage, but Ray was good enough, smart enough to most likely still be competitive even if the ring was not huge.

 

I agree. Leonard was too slick early when they were both fresh and Hagler simply would have expended extra energy. Ray wasn't going anywhere.

There's a chance he could have put some real pressure on Duran. At one point in the mid rounds he was wilting a bit but Hagler lifted his foot the next couple of rounds. It was probably the worry about the cut but that's double edged sword. Do you let a guy have potential extra rounds to work on it or do you try to get him out of there. Maybe the lesson was learnt because a worse cut against Hearns didn't balk him at all.

 

Marvin would have stopped Roberto, Ray, he would have gotten beaten worse. He already had lost the fight truthfully the minute he stepped in the ring.

 

Ray did have some advantages in sentiment that night and usually I don't buy too much into that stuff, but we were all affected by that fight for some reason. Even the crowd which was there I remember. They really wanted Ray. I guess we all wanted to see something special. What story was better than the great Sugar Ray Leonard coming back and fighting after years of inactivity the great invincible Marvelous Marvin Hagler. I thought Ray would get stopped in 5 rounds or so. As it turned out Hagler made the mistake of coming out right handed. It was a bad mistake and I think gave Ray the first two rounds and the momentum to win that fight.

 

Your right about the sentiment. Also Hagler being known as one of the toughest champions got no sympathy as a victim of Leonard's incessant fouling. Getting hit on the break, after the bell, held and hit, hit low takes a toll on anyone. Marvin Hagler after all was human.
A sad nite for boxing really. No justice for Marvin Hagler.

 

You realise I never said I was right? I have my opinion I stated it, then you attacked mine like what you were saying was absolute truth, don’t be a douche and try and shut everyone else down and cut the wannabe macho attitude.

It’s a sport forum for Christ sake.

 

Robert is right to be certain of it. Leo was there for the taking. As a matter of fact, reverse who they fight; Leonard fights the Hagler of 83 & Duran fights the Hagler of 87 and Leonard is KOd inside 9 and Duran cleans the ring w/ Hagler's ass.

 

Ugh-

 

The Petronellis were as far as boxing managers/trainers go, good guys. Hagler had a strong relationship with them, I suspect they were the only people in the sport he trusted.


But they were not the greatest trainers, they were too cautious. It showed in the first Vito fight and as mentioned against Duran and Leonard. But paradoxically no Petronellis, probably would have meant no Marvelous Marvin.


He would have got lost in the 70s shuffle, and given up on the sport in frustration, because he would have not had their support in the low moments.


But if the Petronellis had planned on Hagler fighting 1983 Duran and not the monster of the 70s, I think Duran would have needed every bit of knowledge to get to the final bell.

 

Good post mate.

 

Classic Bob.

 

He pretty much did charge duran over the last 2 rounds like he did hearns ...by than roberto had a damaged hand and needed a breather...hagler couldnt out him away.

If he tried to put him away early i think marvin gets hurt worse...it wouldve turned into durans kind of fight like the barkley one

 

Marvin was a superb boxer...at his peak he outboxed /outboxes both just on the strength of his boxing and superior power