Who was more impressive against Marvelous Marvin Hagler?

Duran landed more and slipped more shots while Leonard ran, Duran was a far more skilled fighter than Ray and was lightweight with a 68 inch reach taking on one of the most dangerous middles all time 4 years before Ray did who is naturally far bigger than Duran, Ray mainly relied on his speed v Hagler and gassed badly in the middle rounds not landing much at all before rallying in the later rounds.

 

Complete bias- [mine}--Huge Hagler fan. I have no idea about his game plan vs SRL or Duran. The Hagler that fought Hearns, Mugabi, Fletcher, Lee or any of those tough Philly fighters was not that guy against those two. Even Vito #1 fight. Hagler could not box with those two. He could fight them but his natural skills ---although superb were not on par with SRL and Duran. They boxed, slipped and scored early and late in each round. Give them both credit. Perhaps more importantly they did nothing to create hatred before the fight. Hagler came in composed, great shape but not with the hatred he fueled against Hearns. Was he intimidated? I would like to think not. Anyways SRL and Duran both boxed masterful fights. I hate writing this but props to them.

 

I'd have to rewatch the Duran fight, haven't seen in about 20 years but I remember not being overly blown away by Duran's performance like everyone else seemed to be

 

Duran went 15 rounds and many had him ahead after 12, and it was Hagler's face that was bruised and bleeding. Marvin later said about the Leonard fight . " it may have been the only fight I've had where I didn't have a scratch" Had the Leonard fight been 15 I doubt Ray makes it. Kudo's to Ray's camp for getting the fight made a 12 rounder instead of 15.

 

Leonard shoe shined his way to a controversial decision against a shot hagler.

Duran, fought toe to toe, asked for more, slipped and fought his way to being ahead on the cards after 12 with a prime Hagler. He was 5 years older than Leonard and way past his peak at lightweight.

It is better to almost win against an ATG prime middleweight Hagler , than to bluff a win against a shot one.

No contest. Duran far more impressive.

 

Listened to the Duran fight on the radio. Could not believe how well {RD} was fighting. Could Hagler have blown him away like Hearns? Did his cautious approach and criticism hep him against Tommy? Hagler was very sensitive to critics --although he maintained a stoic persona.
However same again with SRL----too cautious. Allowed a very tough, great, skilled, showman, to out perform him. Leonard is one of the all time greats. No one can question his toughness. But to take the middleweight title by scampering..... The middleweight title..... Jesus. 7000 comments on that fight. Leonard may have been the better boxer. { and he was} But to take that title please..... I will go to my grave with this one. To be fair--- Hagler lost it.....SRL won it. Please don't open this thread up! I welcome any feedback . Off to work

 

I think that the Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Roberto Duran title bout on Nov 10 1983 was Hagler's best performance. Marvelous Marvin was at his peak, he displayed his skill and experience against an opponent who was well experienced, also very dangerous. I saw that fight live on Closed Circuit Television with my brother in law. To me it was a terrific fight for the Marvelous One. The April 6 1987 title defense against Sugar Ray Leonard was going to be Hagler's 14 th title defense, tying Carlos Monzon's record of 14 title defenses. I am not going to be sour grapes about the victory for Leonard, but even though he won it, Marvelous was starting to slip by then, he had held the title since Sept 27 1980. I think it would have been better if circumstances had permitted it in 1985.

 

No other former lightweight could have given that performance v Hagler.

 

There`s no way Hagler could have blown Duran away in two rounds the way Hearns did at 154.

 

They both tell us something about Marvin and that is as terrific as he was he lacked utter confidence .. of course styles make fights and I am one that didn't think the Duran fight was that close but Duran should not have gone 15 w Hagler ..even though Roberto was a blown up lightweight he was Hagler's first super fight and Marvin, whip I believe had a question regarding his own 15 round stamina, face Duran too much respect and kept him in the fight ... the Leonard fight was very close but an aging, slightly over trained Hagler who himself was rumored to be partying too much himself was out thought and out hustled by a super crafty Leonard .. the fight was exceptionally close but Ray made and stole the event , period. Both men were very impressive vs Hagler and they showed the biggest chink in Hagler's armor and that was his confidence ..

 

I thought it was actually one of his less impressive performances Rich. It was a top notch effort by Duran to capitalize on his indecisiveness and give him a good fight while never looking like winning on any sort of fair scorecard.

 

I would say Leonard. I still can't believe Hagler gave away those first four rounds.

The rematch would have been interesting, I think Hagler would have had more venom in him and try to take his head of like Hearns.

 

Duran. I mean he gave the greatest middle weight imo, a really hard technical fight and with all of the obvious disadvantages a man who started their career at 120 would have. As for the leonerd fight just don't get me started.

 

Great post Mark!!! Veryimpressed.

Terrific post. Very succinctly worded.