The great American boxer died on Saturday at the family’s home in Bartlett, New Hampshire, his wife said.
American boxing legend Marvin Hagler, the undisputed world middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987, has died, his wife said. He was 66 years old.
In a post on the famous fighter’s Facebook page, Kay G Hagler said her husband passed away on Saturday at the family home in Bartlett, New Hampshire.
“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today, unfortunately, my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire, ”she wrote. “Our family asks you to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
“Wonderful” Marvin Hagler fought from 1973 to 1987 and delivered some epic fights in a golden age of the sport, ending with a 62-3 record with two draws and 52 knockouts.
The southpaw’s most announced triumph came in a 1985 fight at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas against Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, which lasted just over eight minutes, but was considered a classic that was known simply as “The War”.
After a first round of heavy punches in which Hearns broke his right hand, Hagler suffered a cut to the head at the beginning of the second.
A doctor next to the ring examined Hagler in the third round and the fight continued. Hagler rocked Hearns with a powerful right and sent him to the screen moments later, Hearns only climbing up to collapse in the arms of referee Richard Steele.
Hagler won the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association middleweight titles in 1980, stopping Briton Alan Minter in the third round at London’s Wembley Arena, and added the inaugural International Boxing Federation title in 1983.
Marvin Hagler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993 [Jumana El-Heloueh/Reuters]
Hagler defended the undisputed title 12 times, including a 15-round unanimous decision victory over Panamanian Roberto Duran in 1983 and his final triumph, a knockout in the 11th round of unbeaten Ugandan John Mugabi in 1986.
“The wonderful Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank has ever promoted,” said legendary American promoter Bob Arum. “He was a man of honor and of his word, and he played in the ring with incomparable determination.”
“He was a real athlete and a real man. I will miss him very much, ”added Arum of Hagler, a member of the“ Four Kings ”of the 1980s middleweight division, along with Hearns,“ Sugar ”Ray Leonard and Duran.
Former fighter and legendary trainer Freddie Roach said that Hagler visited Roach’s hometown to watch one of his fights.
“Marvin Hagler came to my fight in Boston,” wrote Roach in his social media account. “I appreciated what he said to me after my fight.
“Rest in peace my friend. Condolences to the Hagler family. Thank you Marvelous Marvin Hagler for everything you have given to boxing.”
Over a decade, from 1976 to 1986, Hagler was undefeated, with 36 wins and a draw.
Named Fighter of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the American Boxing Writers Association, he was named Fighter of the Decade in the 1980s by Boxing Illustrated.
He had a streak of 16 consecutive victories in what proved to be his final fight, a clash with Leonard in 1987 at the age of 32.
Leonard, coming out of three years of retirement at age 30, captured a controversial decision divided into 12 rounds and launched his return to the ring when Hagler – annoyed by the score – said goodbye.
After leaving the ring, Hagler pursued acting in Italy and a career as a boxing commentator. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.