Marvin Hagler v Sugar Ray Leonard in 1982..?

I remember at the time when thinking about this match that Hagler wins this in '82, for a number of reasons.

Hagler was much better in 82 than 87, sharper, fresher, quicker. After the Sibson fight, SRL stated that he hadn't realised that MMH could BOX that well.

SRL was naturally smaller in 82 than 87 imo, I don't think he could have handled the fresher Hagler's physicality at that time. Hagler was also quicker in 82 so I don't think the difference in speed was as pronounced as it was in 87.

Finally, and this is the clincher for me - why did SRL want the fight so badly in 87, but apparently not in 82? I don't think SRL fancied the fight at any stage until he saw the extent of MMH's decline against Mugabi in 86.

I voted for MMH on points in the poll but I think there is a possibilty that MMH could have worn SRL down for a late stoppage in 82, Hagler was an absolute monster of a middlweweight...

 

Hagler by KO. Leonard takes the full count whilst unconscious on the canvas (but he still has the smug grin on his face)

 

I don't think it would be a K.O but a stoppage. Leonard had a granite chin.

 

Leonard on points.

For those that point out that Hagler was a bit slower in their actual fight, I will point out that Leonard was also slower & his stamina was nowhere near as good as it was in his prime.

Imagine the landslide SRL would have won by if he never gassed in the 2nd half of their actual fight ?.... he was 5 rounds to 1 up, he was outboxing & outthinking Hagler until he gassed, then he still managed to win a couple of rounds in the 2nd half to seal the deal.

I see Ray building another big lead in 1982, with Hagler coming into the fight later on & Leonard having more than enough to finish strong in the championship rounds... as he always did in those days vs his best opponents.

Leonard was simply a better boxer & athlete... & to make it worse, Hagler ain`t gonna outsmart him either.

Leonard W15 UD Hagler (9-6)

 

I'm in your boat, tho i think it could possibly be a bit tighter.

 

Hagler by late round KO or close decision

 

SRL did'nt fight Hagler for a very obvious reason that he knew he could'nt win or he would have fought in 82/83/84/85. he was always in shape & in the gym & the retina was no hold up to the superfight that we all thought was done & dusted until Leonard pulled that stunt of a so called retirement announcement when all the world & marvin thought was to confirm the fight but SRL made Hagler look a right dupe when he pulled that "Me & Marvin would be FORT KNOX but sadly it's NOT TO BE!!! Or some similar shite. He wanted absolutly no part of Hagler & NEVER DID as that would have been the end of the "Sugar Ray" $$$$$ brand & Leonard knew it so quit this shite that Leonard would have beat Hagler when Leonard himself could'nt flee the scene fast enough.

 

I have been watching Hagler as of late. He is without a doubt a top 10 all time great at middle weight, but he also had trouble with speed and countering type of fighters. And sometimes he wasn't as aggressive as he could have been ( Leonard and Duran fights )


Leonard was a very durable fighter. He if could take Hearns punch, a Hagler stoppage is unlikely. I tend to think Leonard would win in 1982 as well.

 

The Sibson fight is the indicator as to how this fight would have panned out as Marvin was always of the countering box/fighter mode & slowly broke down his opponants & the Leonard of the Kalule fight ai'nt got a prayer in my IMHO. I just don't get where all this leonads speed myth comes from, Leonard is/was & always has been a stand & plant-em multi-salvo banger & thats his speed. SRL waltzing around the ring like he did against Hearns for the first 5 rounds ai'nt gonna win him the fight is it. If anything Leonard of 82 is made 2 order for the Hagler of 82.

Hagler was such a fluent fighter as against Sibbo as the example i always use & over 15 rounds there's no way Leonard can get away form slowly being sliced up by marvin, this is a 15 rounder & will be akin to chinese water torture, Every time Hagler connects with leonard it shake Ray down to his boots & by 10 rounds Ray's gonna be flat footed & right in front of Marvin & thats when you'll see leonard go for broke hoping too cut Hagler up but his going to ship punches to the rythem of a drum beat.

Kalule gave Leonard all he could handle & in that 9th round Leonard was gasping for air hence his **** or bust onslaught. Leonard will have no option but to engage & let it all go as he's gonna get run over or should do but i've always been of the mind that Haglers main weakness is his sense of self, double chip on each shoulder & plenty in the back pocket for back-up.

This is not the trundling slow coach of 87, the Hagler of 82 was an adept fleet of foot counter-punching nightmare, his volume of punches juxtaposed with laser accuracy would have leonard static by the 10th & it's just a matter of time before Leonards beaten down & more so with exhaustion from the pressure put on him. But as i said before if SRL thought for one moment he could beat Hagler in 82 then he would have fought him but he opted out & that sez it all.

 

this is a grotesque mismatch

Hagler crushes little boy leonard like an eggshell in two

Leonard is easy to hurt. ask Geraldo, ask Terry Norris. ask Camacho, ask Kevin Howard

 

I assume that's a joke

 

you're out of your mind. What alternate universe did u come out of?

Hagler would hit leonard so hard, his kinfolk in Africa would feel it

 

Hell no, why would I joke about that? Leonard isnt in Marvin's class and would get the **** beat out of him early. probably get knocked unconscious