I think by the Minter fight he was just about thought of as the uncrowned champion. The way he ripped the crown off Minter to me was the fight that confirmed his status.
When he beat Finnegan for the second time .Finnegan was a good middle weight .for hagler to stop him all be it on cuts that was impressive.
Beating fellow unbeaten prospect Sugar Ray Seales showed he was going to be good. That fight put him on the radar.