What if Hagler beat Leonard?

Duodenum's right. Even if Hagler had won the split-decision, the aftermath would likely have focused upon how well Leonard fought after his absence. Undoubtedly, that might have embittered Marvin to the extant where he might have granted SRL a rematch, rather than take on a challenger like Thornton for his swan song.

 

UN,

Doug Dewitt would have been the best possible choice, but he lost '3' in a row
in 1986, and was kind of lost in the woods in Yonkers, New York.

Tony Thorton was the perfect foe, undefeated and a few 'TV' fights under his belt,
giving him some noteriety.
A good, but non-threatening going away opponent for his #14 title defense, to tie
the Great Carlos Monzon in title Defenses.

Marvin got robbed, and so did Tony Thorton's dream, as he sleep-walked through a
few fights after that.

If Marvin continued in the Middleweight Run, #15 in 1988 would have been,,,,?????

 

Hagler vs. Doug Dewitt would have been ok but Hagler would have won. Hagler rematch with Hearns would have been the big fight.

 

Going by the Boston Globe interview, it looked as if the Hagler team was excpecting
a 'blow-out' win by Knock-out within 6 Rounds.

(ie; vs. Tony Sibson)

And the 'Finale' versus Tony Thorton, probably a wide-decision win, as Tony Thorton was durable.

With that horrible decision in Las Vegas, you could see the disgust in Marvin's face,
he was done with the bull----!

 

Marvin did win the fight in 1987...

 

Boston Globe,

After fight report,

If Hagler had gotten the well-deserved decision, it most likely would bring up the
question of a re-match.
A re-match in Las Vegas would never happen, unless Marvin got an even larger % of
the fight purse.
But Hagler, looking to sign off on his career, might have agreed to one more fight,
anywehere but Las Vegas.
Something in the Northeast would have happened.
Leonard had a morale victory, of lasting the distance, so he won in the minds of the
fight fans.
Anything less than a knock-out win by Hagler, is a loss.

His $20,000,000 fight purse for the Leonard bout, may be a bitter pill to swallow.
Marvin has not announced his retirement yet, but since his plans for a 14th Title defense in a Boston
'retirement bout' are put on the shelf, Marvin may shoot for a shot at the Super Middleweight Title, before saying
good-bye.

 

:goodI Happen to agree 100%.

 

He did beat him he was robbed.

 

:yep

 

probably would have fought on for another 18 months and lost on points to the younger fresher micheal nunn .

 

Marvin Hagler had a $6,000,000 going away gift on the table to
fight in Boston for his September/October going away gift.

Tony 'The Punching Postman' Thorton was already pencilled in.
As a matter of fact, Tony Thorton had received a $60,000 pre-payment
to ink his name on a future fight contract.

Everyone within the Hagler Camp expected Marvin to beat Leoanrd by an easy Knock-out.

 

Hagler did win! judges be damned!!!

 

IF,,,,,,,

If Hagler had won big (by overwhelming Knock-out),
vs. Tony Thorton in Boston,,,,September/October 1987.
Then Good-Bye.

If Hagler had won convincingly (by solid Decision)
a rematch would have probably been given, but not in Las Vegas.