Would if Marvelous Marvin Hagler had fought Sugar Ray Lenard in 1982?

Man I understand your attack in my thread now; you have a full blown rager for Leonard.

 

it really is amazing how long some of them have been keeping this conspiracy theory alive and the lengths they’ll go to validate it..

 

It would have really sucked to be Ray
Hagler by 3rd round ko...if that long.

 

You mean like the way he blasted out an aged Duran who was fighting several weight classes above his natural best and still took him 15 rounds to a controversial decision ? Nah...

 

I think you’re the one who does. Pretty obvious.

 

Hell, Ray didn't want Tommy again , what makes you think he wanted Hagler ... Marvin pounds him

 

Wasn't that past Hagler's time? I could be wrong. Look what Hagler did to Hearns...but all respect, Magoo. I always check your posts out.

 

Leonard beat Hagler? No offense.

 

I don't get it, Hagler in his prime was confused and out thought by the great but waaayy above his best fighting weight and prime Duran for most of the early rds in their fight, btw the same Duran that was beaten more convincingly by Benitez a year earlier, and completely obliterated by Hearns in the fight right after his match with Hagler.
A fight Hagler had to press hard and sweep the last 4-5 rds to secure the victory .
And your saying Leonard wouldn't have a chance against him?
Nonsense. Simply nonsence. Leonard was bigger, stronger, faster, than Duran and had 4 major wins against 3 ATG'S before the Hagler vs Leonard fight was supposed to take place in 82/83.
It can very reasonably be said ( If one is honest with self and not blinded by your hate for Leonard) Leonard was more battle tested against much better competition!
Come on guys, I love Hagler just as much as some of you but be reasonable.
Leonard unlike Duran had the frame to be a great Middleweight.
If that eye injury didn't occur the Hagler/ Leonard fight happens in 82 or 83. Leonard would've been massively confident coming off his last 5 wins.
Hagler had weaknesses, Watts , Monroe, and Antefermo showed that Hagler could be taken out of his game.
You don't think Leonard wouldn't have known that? Most of the media would've given Prime Leonard a far greater chance against Prime Hagler than when they actually fought in 87.
Leonard was supposed to get destroyed by Hagler in 87 ( I'll admit, I feared for his safety).
We all mourn the lost of the greatest Middleweight that's ever lived. ( My opinion)
But we don't need to shade the 2nd greatest welterweight to have lived to do it.
Leonard vs Hagler would've been a very competitive fight in 82 or 83.
I'm sure some of you know Leonard's chances would've been very good, if you think logically and not emotionally.

 

I just can't see Ray winning, and for me Ray is a top 15 pfp ATG. It's not just what Hagler did to Hearns, it's the firepower he had in 82. Especially since I think the OP is talking about Ray moving up. As for the Hagler- Duran fight...look what Duran did after that fight (besides against Tommy, he was imo pretty blown out by the Hagler epic against Hearns). Duran was probably overall a greater ATG than Hagler, Leonard, or Hearns imo. Winning a close decision over a man who went up two divisions to beat a prime Leonard...no shame in that, Marvin.

 

And that’s the reason why I just had to join this forum after being a lurker for ten years...I just couldn’t stand reading stuff like that anymore

 

It's never been about Haglers firepower or ability.
But his mind. He showed against much lesser fighters than Leonard he could be taken out of his game.
Duran showed that by forcing him to lead , he consistently confused Hagler with sharp counters and angles.
Hagler was devastating against fighters that came at him. That's the main reason I don't believe legendary Middleweights like Walker, Greb, Zale, Tiger, or Monzon beat him.
But fighters like Watts , Monroe , Antefermo, and Duran proved He could be taken out of what he did best.
He could be forced to "Over think" it and become passive. I believe Leonard could've done that in 1982/ 83.
Leonard certainly had the size. Look at his fight against Kalule. He looked like a Middleweight in that fight, he carried that extra weight extremely well.
He had the intelligence, he wouldn't have taken the risk and fought Hagler flat footed the way he fought Kalule. He was reckless against him, taking some punches, fighting unnecessarily aggressive to ko him, if Hagler was in that corner I'm sure he takes a much patient and cautious approach.
Leonard would've had more big fight experience, knowing when to turn it on and impress the judges. Hagler at that time biggest fight was probably Alan Minter.
Leonard would've been more battle tested against better competition.
I would favor Hagler too win against Leonard in 82/83. But I also thought Hagler would brutalized and Ko Duran.
Leonard's chances against Hagler is better than most would give him credit for.

 

Would still have been a close one. Ray would have been faster and sharper than he was in 1987 - not that that he was n't sharp and fast in '87 considering how long he' d been out. Marvin would also have been better all round than what he was in their real fight. And most signifigantly he would n't have underestimated Leonard. He'd have come out more aggressively from the start and used the southpaw stance.

I would say,all considered,that Marvin takes a close decision in a very exciting bout.

 

I think Hagler but SRL was a marvel at his peak. One thing for sure it’d be a better fight than what we got in 1987.