Hagler, Marvin
Boxing
b. May 23, 1954, Newark, NJ
After winning 57 amateur fights and the 1973 AAU national middleweight championship, Hagler became a professional and won 26 consecutive bouts, including 19 knockouts. The 5-foot-9 1/2, 160-pound left-hander shaved his head and used a menacing glower to intimidate opponents in pre-fight confrontations.
Hagler fought a draw against Sugar Ray Seales late in 1974 and didn't lose a fight until January 13, 1976, when Bobby Watts won a 10-round decision. On November 30, 1979, Hagler met Vito Antuofermo for the world middleweight championship in Las Vegas, but Antuofermo retained his title with a 15-round draw.
He got his second title fight against Alan Minter in London on September 27, 1980, and this time Hagler won the championship with a 12th-round knockout. After two successful defenses, Hagler was stripped of the WBC version of the title because his 1981 fight against Mustafa Hamsho was scheduled for 15 rounds instead of 12. However, the championship was restored after Hagler knocked Hamsho out in the 11th round.
Hagler won nine more championship bouts, but lost the WBA title in 1986 because he hadn't fought one of that association's top-ranked contenders during a nine-month period. In one of the most celebrated middleweight fights of all time, Hagler lost the WBC title to Sugar Ray Leonard on a 12-round split decision in April of 1987 in Las Vegas. Hagler earned $12 million for the bout, which brought the largest purse in history.
Nicknamed "Marvelous Marvin," Hagler had his first name legally changed to "Marvelous" while he was champion. He retired in June of 1988 with a record of 61 wins, 51 by knockout, 3 losses, and 2 draws.
