‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler played his part in one of the greatest generations of boxing history alongside Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns.
Despite suffering two defeats during the early stages of his professional career, Hagler bounced back and established himself as a serious contender during the eighties.
Hagler captured the undisputed middleweight championship in 1980 when he defeated Britain’s Alan Minter via third round stoppage before going on to make no less than twelve successful defences of his crown in a seven year period.
During his reign as champion, Hagler defeated the likes of John Mugabi, Duran and Hearns before he was eventually dethroned by Leonard in April of 1987, in what would be his final ever fight.
Hagler was one of the ‘Four Kings’, standing alongside Hearns, Duran and Leonard throughout what was arguably the greatest era of all time which saw each of these legendary fighters lock horns with one another on at least one occasion each.
In a feature with The Ring Magazine, Hagler was asked to reveal his hardest hitting opponent, paying homage to one of the other members of the ‘Four Kings’ in his answer.
“John Mugabi and Hearns because they came to fight.”
Hagler’s 1985 showdown with Hearns, which was dubbed simply ‘The War’, is often regarded as being one of the most electrifying contests in boxing history.
The fight itself lasted just three rounds and was all-action from the opening bell. After plenty of back-and-forth, Hagler caught Hearns with a thunderous right hand to send his rival to the canvas before the referee called a halt to the contest, although ‘Hitman’ had risen to his feet by the count of nine.