John Mugabi vs Kelly Pavlik.

Mugabi fought a very respectable fight against Marvelous Marvin Hagler in March 1986. Even though the beast was stopped in the 11th round he still made Hagler work very hard and earn the victory. By this time (post Hearns) however I feel as though Hagler was not quite his former self. Hagler IMO would have beaten Mugabi handily and in less time if it was the Hagler prior to April of 1985 who had arguably the greatest three round fight in history against Hearns. Pavlik I believe is a better boxer than Mugabi was and would have beaten him so I'll say Pavlik by knockout in seven. If I recall correctly and I could very be mistaken Mugabi was kayoed early by Julian Jackson and Donald Curry. Both great fighters no doubt but this shows that Pavlik - a power puncher also, could probably put Mugabi away too.

Pavlik KO 7 Mugabi

 

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Re: John Mugabi vs Kelly Pavlik.
I think you mean McClellan, or perhaps Norris, but I understand your point -- Mugabi was disposed of in a single round by Norris.

I believe Hagler and Mugabi both left a huge chunk of themselves when they fought eachother, and neither was ever the same -- and I don't think the fight with Hearns damaged Hagler that much. It was a war, but it was short, and Hagler did not suffer a sustained beating.

I don't think any fighter who was broken down the way Mugabi was ever shows the same heart again



agreed.......before hagler fight the beast beats pavlic down.Post mmh,pavlic maybe wins D

 

This could well be the fight of whatever fantasy year it takes place in.

 

Mugabi likes to get it over with early.

Pavlik can be buzzed early.

Mugabi by stoppage.

 

Oh yeah I forget Mugabi can't be hurt or knocked out early in a fight

 

Yes. The Miranda fight is a good comparison. Mugabi's style is made for Pavlik. Pavlik would stop him in three or less.

 

Mugabi by KO in the early rounds

 

I do think Hagler ruined Mugabi. And I think Mugabi took out of Hagler what Hagler had left from his many ring wars. Hagler was a very physical fighter. It's astonishing he held up as long as he did, a testament to his remarkable durability. When Hagler stepped in the ring with Leonard, you could see he wasn't the same fighter. That was due in part of Mugabi's punches. Mugabi was a wicked puncher.

I believe Mugabi's handlers made a mistake in putting Mugabi in with Hagler at that stage of his career. Mugabi needed more fights. You could see by how well he did that he had the tools, and he really stepped up in the fight. He was even better that night than his record indicated. But Hagler had too many tools and that remarkable durability. Mugabi needed a bit more experience to deal with it. Mugabi was rushed.

 

To answer the question, Mugabi knocked out Pavlik.

 

if a focused mugabi turns i pick the beast by the 5th

 

Mugabi pre Hagler wins by stoppage. Mugabi post Hagler loses in the same manner. Mugabi was never the same after the Hagler loss.

 

disagree , pavlik wins via TKO , who did mugabi ever beat ?
pavlik can get up from the floor and has a size advantage.
he is tough.
glen johnson and john david jackson did not last the distance against hopkins (not that i respect hopkins) but pavlik , giving away 10-15lbs of muscle took hopkins the distance.

 

The pre-Hagler Beast could beat the Ghost. It took everything Hagler had to back up Mugabi and finally break him down. I just can't see Pavlik doing the same. And the Beast could punch a little, too. It would be a great fight, one that wouldn't go the distance. Post-Hagler, Pavlik would KO the Beast much like he did Miranda.