Towards the end of his career, Marvin Hagler turned from a slick boxer-puncher into a brawler who ground down opponents. Two brutal fights of his, vs. Hearns and Mugabi, showed that change IMO. Now Hagler/Hearns is regarded as one of the best fights of all time. Hagler/Mugabi is regarded as a great fight, but not one of the best of all time. Both were exciting for various reasons, but which one do you think is the better fight?
The first round of Hagler/Hearns was better than the entire Mugabi/Hagler fight. Not that Hagler/Mugabi was bad, it was not, it is just that IMO Hearns/Hagler Round one is the finest three minutes in boxing history. Hagler/Mugabi was a war not least because Marvelous Marvin was not quite so, and Mugabi put in a career performance.
It would be better to compare them if they lasted the same amount of time or close. One was 11 rounds the other only 3.
I'll have to watch it again but i thought Hagler boxed after Mugabi was dangerous and landed some heavy leather in some early exchanges. IMO the Hearns fight stands way above given the combined talents, but the Mugabi defense is immensely enjoyable and Hagler showed some serious toughness and the usual supreme durabilty.
Yes, but Hearns showed "chicken legs" in his fight with Hagler. Of course he may have broken his hand on Hagler's head, but Hagler really did punish Hearns in their fight. It proved beyond a shadow of a doubt how great Hagler was.
And Marciano is irrelevent to this discussion. Of course, some simple minded folk always assume that will get my goat. That asssumption is, quite frankly, laughable.
the usual excuses from a sore loser. A great brawler will beat a chicken**** runner everytime. Hagler-Mugabi had it's moments but this fight never would have been as big if not for Hagler's reputation. hagler-Mugabi had its moments but imo went on too long. i mean 11 rounds! No wonder Leonard was in a rush to fight him.
No sore loser here. Hearns got a pizzling, end of story. I'm not about to go around peeling off 500 word spiels, excuses and fantasies (Ray's secret sessions on a boat with multiple ghosts of a left handed SRR, Ray's retina probs being a bit of dust in the eye, etc) because i can't deal with reality (like you and Sugar Ray) Hell, you even peel off excuses for Hearns vs Leonard just to get at the man but the rot soon changes course on Hagler - Hearns now doesn't it God help us if Hearns got the leg massage before the Leonard fight and broke his hand 1st round Hey maybe Hearns was 2 ounces off the right weight vs Hagler and this is why he was so fatigued first round :rofl :hi: