Leonard v Hagler at 160 in the early-mid 80s - please vote and comment

I'd need answer to two questions before I would come to a conclusion.

Before or after Mugabi?

Does Marvin wise up, or does he still come out orthodox and give away the first 3-4 rounds?

 

Hagler in a very tight UD.

 

hagler hunts him down and takes his head off around the 13th or 14th round

 

IMO this isnt even a fair fight so no dishonor to the great leonard.

I dont see any way Leonard survives if Marvin goes into destruct and destroy mode.

If he slows the pace to that which Leonard is comfortable with and pulls his punches then it goes the distance and Leonard wins a close decision.

If marvins guns it as he did with Minter, Lee and Hearns, then he hurts leonard quickly with leonard losing heart. Hagler then grants him a quick and merciful death.

 

The actual matchup they did have wasn't going to be, either

As sooo many said prior to the actual match they did have.

Um, what else is new??

Even given your pure hatred of Leonard and all encompassing love for Hagler your post is still full of soooooooooo many i'f, isn't it!

Which says it all, really.

Better luck next time

 

John please dont start with me-it's not worth all the animosity.

 

Well control your bad loser syndrome for once :good

 

You could always meet me on youtube for a lively debate but I promise you, it can become quite frustrating for the other side.c

 

Still a wonderful fight and the first 6-8 rounds would be just awesome as these two greats trade skills. The intensity of Hagler would get to the smaller man down the stretch though. A younger Hagler would have the energy to take better advantage of a hurt Leonard. Even an old Hagler had Leonard badly stung on three or four occasions. You'd better believe Leonard will get hurt a few times in this fight. But he might make it through. Leonard was a tiger and he could well make it to the end of 15 but I think he'd have his lumps. A mid 80s Hagler would be more aggressive than the 87 Hagler that fought what many say was a stupid fight early. I rather think that Hagler's tactics in those round were due to his arrogance having been champ for such a long time, and Leonard having the audacity to challenge him at that stage. Again, it reminds me of Holmes Spinks I - Holmes fought with a similar attitude and blew the fight - he did much better in the rematch, starting out with the proper aggression.

Hagler wins, say 10-5, but the rounds would be very competitive.

 

Dave, I wish i had the confidence you did in Ray's chin. how do you figure this fight going the distance? Rays' been dumped by even club fighters-fighters of little class and skill in a diminutive form.

He's even been hurt by Geraldo, Duran, dropped by Hearns 2x, Norris 2x, and even Howard and it's hard to blame his age for that knockdown. And DON Lalonde! I think it's a short fight. A fast hard right to the temple and he's a goner

 

I wouldn't rule out a KO, but Leonard has a fighting heart and great survival instincts.

 

Leonard is too tough to be stopped by Hagler, who was more an accumulation puncher & Ray doesnt take a lot of clean shots usually in fights & IMO always had the versatility & skills to outpoint Hagler.

 

If he didnt stop Duran, he sure as **** aint stopping Leonard, not a chance.

 

Good post for once PowerPuncher

 

Leonard, although a good defensive fighter, could be hit and did get hit. He was hit plenty by an old Hagler who was throwing punches like he was under water. Leonard was hit and hurt multiple times during his career. Hagler was a cumulative puncher rather than one punch KO guy, but remember, this is a welter fighting a middle, and Hagler's blows, at his peak, would be pretty devastating for Ray, although as I've said he might survive to the end.