By 1988 Hagler was already considering retiring but was also hoping to get a rematch with SRL. Kalambay had just beaten Barkley, McCallum, and Hagler's half brother Robbie Simms. Let's say Hagler decides to stay active and takes Doug DeWitt's place in November 11, 1988 to challenge Kalambay for a title and also avenge his brother's defeat. Would he still have enough in the gas tank to defeat a technician like Kalambay or has he slowed down enough for him to be outboxed by Kalambay at this point in his career?
Kalambay by decision at this point in his career he was at his peak, having some of his best wins of his career over the likes of McCallum, Graham, Barkley, etc. I also think Kalambay has the kind of style to trouble even a prime Hagler. Who never really met any slick/boxer types in his title reign. Remember Hagler before he become champion, lost to those kind of fighters just something to ponder.
Marvin Hagler’s one of my favourite fighters. But no way he beat Kakambay in 88. He was already slowing down by 86. He loses a UD decision if scored correctly. Could Marvin land a Nunn type of shot. I doubt it. Marvin would spend all night plodding after Sumbu and getting hit with jabs and the occasional combination. In a way I’m glad Marvin walked away before he started to lose these types of fights. He was too great for that to happen.
By 88' Hagler's best days were behind him and he was there for the taking by slick boxers like Kalambay. We even saw Duran lay out the blueprint years earlier which Leonard saw as well. Try to bang with Hagler like Tommy and Mugabi did and he would beat you but movement like Kalambay or even McCallum at that point would be a problem.
not in 88. too slow. not enough power Early 80s hagler knocks him out frighteningly quick (Micheal Nunn style) in the same way he did every other contender
Cheers, Stevie. Kalambay was one of those underrated fighters imo, the sort that could possibly give you one of the most akward fights (barring Nunn of course). Hagler of a few years previously, beats him but maybe then, still not an easy one.
Hagler was a great all round fighter, but pre prime he lost and struggled vs boxers/movers like Watts, Seales, Finnegan, etc. Now obviously Hagler would've improved when he become champion. But still during his title reign he never really fought any slick/boxers/movers etc. The closest was probably Duran who ran him close, and Leonard when Hagler was faded by this point. But overall whilst a prime Hagler should be favoured over Kalambay, still Hagler in his prime never really fought a boxer/mover like Kalambay. Who I think style wise could give even a prime Hagler a tough fight.
I was gonna ask were you serious until I saw Hagler/88, Honestly (and I hate saying this), I might say Kalambay.
I agree that Kalambay would have beaten Hagler during that period. I think the Kalambay that destroyed DeWitt seemed to be a dangerous kind of fighter for shopworn Hagler. His performance was near perfect when he stopped DeWitt.
