By Matt Lieberman: With sadness, Boxing News 24 reports that legend ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler has passed away at age 66 on Saturday. The cause of health is unknown. Hagler’s wife announced on Facebook that he’d passed away “unexpectedly” at his home in New Hampshire.
The former IBF/WBA/WBC middleweight champion Hagler (62-3-2, 52 KOs) is remembered for his many great fights during his 14-year professional career.
Hagler walked away from the sport after losing a controversial 12 round split decision defeat at the hand of the highly popular 1976 U.S Olympic gold medalist ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard on April 6, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Many fans felt that Hagler deserved the victory over Leonard. Surprisingly, Hagler didn’t get a rematch, so he was unable to avenge the loss.
“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.
Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time. With love,” said Kay Hagler on Facebook.
Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts.
In 1973, Hagler turned professional. Seven years later, he captured the WBA and WBC middleweight titles in stopping champion Alan Minter in the third round on September 27th, 1980, at the Wembley Arena in London, UK.
Moments after the fight was halted due to Minter having suffered bad facial cuts, the angry crowd began rioting, throwing projectiles into the ring to show their unhappiness.
In June 1981, Hagler destroyed former WBA/WBC 160-lb champion Vito Antuofermo by a fourth-round knockout in their rematch. Two years earlier, Hagler and Vito Antuofermo had fought to a questionable 15 round draw in November 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
That was a fight that Hagler appeared to win in the eyes of many fans, but nonetheless, the judges scored it as a draw. Hagler made sure in the rematch that there would be no controversy by taking the judges out of play.
Some of Hagler’s best career wins:
- Tommy Hearns – TKO 3
- Roberto Duran – UD 15
- John Mugabi – KO 11
- Mustafa Hamsho – TKO 3
- Alan Minter – TKO 3
- Vito Antuofermo – RTD 4
- Bennie Briscoe – UD 10
- Sugar Ray Seales – TKO 1
Six years after his retirement in 1993, Hagler was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
“Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in a statement on Saturday.
“He was a man of honor and a man of his word, and he performed in the ring with unparalleled determination. He was a true athlete and a true man. I will miss him greatly.”