By Ken Hissner: Early in his career, when Marvelous Marvin Hagler came to Philly, it was an experience that groomed him to become a world champion in the future.
In January of 1976, Hagler, 25-0-1, had his first bout in Philly, losing to Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, 27-3-1, by a disputed majority decision.
Two months later, Hagler returned to Philly, losing to Willie “The Worm” Monroe, 32-3-1. I was there, and it looked like Hagler’s nose early was red as a beat and possibly damaged.
Monroe’s previous style was being a runner, but with new trainer George Benton, he stood in front of Hagler, which probably surprised Hagler.
Sometime later, I saw Monroe at a weigh-in with a cast on his hand. I heard he was going to Boston for a rematch with Hagler (6 months later). I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea, and he disagreed, saying, “I beat him once. I will do it again!”
In the meantime, Hagler came back to Philly six months later, stopping Philly’s knockout artist Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, 30-6-1, stopping him in 8 rounds.
Five months later came the rematch with Monroe in Boston in February of 1977 when Hagler stopped him in the twelfth and final round for the vacant North American title. By this time, he knew what to expect style-wise from Monroe.
In August, they had their third match back in Philly when Hagler stopped Monroe in two rounds. In August of 1978, Hagler returned to face Philly’s “Bad” Bennie Briscoe, 60-16-5, winning by decision before 14,930, an indoor record for a non-world championship fight in Pennsylvania history.
The fights in Philly prepared him for a future world title fight that happened in November of 1979 when he drew with champion Vito Antuofermo, 45-3-1.
Five months later, in April of 1980, Hagler had his rematch with Watts, stopping him in two rounds in Portland, Maine. In September of 1980, he got his second title chance in London with the conqueror of Antuofermo Alan Minter, 38-6, stopping him for the world title.
In Hagler’s second defense in a rematch with Antuofermo in Boston, he stopped him in four rounds. In November of 1983, he defeated Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran 77-4.
In April of 1985, Hagler stopped Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, 40-1, in three rounds voted Ring Magazine’s fight of the year. I met him at the airport in Philly when he was on tour for the fight. In March of 1986, in a war, he stopped No. 1 ranked John Mugabi, 25-0, in eleven rounds in his twelfth defense.
In April of 1987, Hagler had his career-ending fight with former world champion “Sugar” Ray Leonard, 33-1, who was only having his first fight in three years, having had eye surgery in May of 1982 for a detached retina.
Hagler lost by split decision. Ring Magazine gave it the fight of the year and upset of the year. Most fans felt Hagler won, but I wasn’t one of them. It was a defeat that drove Hagler into retirement and off to Italy for an acting career.
One of the things I admired about Hagler was he was one of the few boxers who never changed manager or trainers in Goody and Pat Petronelli.
