Marvin of course! The Marvin who was taken to the brink by Mugabi is a helluva lot worse than the Hagler of the early 80s
I think you could put Steele in with anyone ever and he'd be extremely competitive at the very least.
Ok...watched the 3 videos on youtube. Got beat up bad vs Apostoli but that was near the end of his career. Looked like he had a murderous left hook but how would that help him vs lefty Hagler. He was also very wild with his punches and waved that left hand around like a 1960's Soviet boxer. Nevertheless he had a very good record and didn't avoid black boxers. Probably gives Hagler a run for his money . Also had a very nifty part in his hair. Like Benny Leonard.
Steele had 120+ fights by the time he fought Apostoli the 2nd time, and had a freak career ending breastbone injury in that fight. Imo Steele looks excellent on film, and is very underrated.
Hagler ..Hagler ..And Hagler again . Prime Marvin rips in to Steele in an entertaining fight .But after a brave effort ,Steele is stopped in the championship rounds ,With the scoring quite close .
I really haven't seen enough of Steele to say he'd beat Hagler prime-for-prime. I think he'd beat early Hagler and end-of-the-road Hagler. But Hagler in his prime was a more composed fighter than those two versions and I think his systematic way of fighting, as well as the physical aspects of his game, would pose significant problems for Steele. I'd pick Hagler with the caveat that more Steele footage could sway the case his way or solidify my tentative verdict. It's really pretty close.
