[ad_1]
Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
Former undisputed middleweight champion ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler won 62 of his 67 fights in a Hall of Fame career.
Marvin Hagler, one of the all-time boxing greats, has died at age 66, his wife announced on social media.
“I am sorry to make this announcement so sad. Today, sadly, my loving husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire.
“Our family asks you to respect our privacy during this difficult time,” wrote his wife Kay on Facebook.
READ MORE:
* Joseph Parker’s first boxing coach says drug allegations are ‘very sad’
* Joseph Parker leaned back into a corner as his reputation as a good boy suffered.
* Boxer Joseph Parker ‘helped exchange cash for drugs’, but the police never charged him.
The American held the undisputed middleweight championship between 1980 and 1987, ending his Hall of Fame career with a record of 62 wins, two draws and three losses in 67 games.
The hard-hitting Hagler made 12 successful title defenses in that time, reigning as the middleweight king for six years and seven months.
He was twice named Wrestler of the Year for The ring magazine, in 1983 and 1985.
Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved with his family to Brockton, Massachusetts, in the late 1960s.
The Ring Magazine / Stuff
Marvin Hagler, right, trades leather with rival Thomas Hearns during their 1985 middleweight unification fight in Las Vegas.
Hagler was involved in some legendary battles with fellow middleweights Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard.
The quartet became known as ‘the Four Kings’ during the 1980s in what was considered a golden age for boxing.
Hagler’s unification clash with Hearns in Las Vegas in April 1985 is widely viewed as one of the greatest fights of all time. Hagler won the action-packed fight, fought at a relentless pace, via third-round TKO.
The boxing world was quick to pay tribute to Hagler, with top British promoter Eddie Hearn tweeting “Rest in Eternal Peace, the Marvelous!” and promising a traditional 10-bell salute before the rematch between Roman González and Juan Francisco Estrada in Dallas, Texas, later on Saturday (Sunday NZT).
“One of the best and toughest fighters in one of the greatest times in boxing history,” wrote trainer Dave Coldwell on Twitter.
“Boxing lost an all-time great player today,” said British boxing promoter Frank Warren.
“One of the best at doing it. RIP Marvin Hagler, ”wrote British heavyweight Derek Chisora, who is expected to be Kiwi Joseph Parker’s next opponent in May.
Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said he was “deeply saddened” by Hagler’s death, and said he was “honored to have had such incredible times with him.”
“Farewell to a friend and legend,” said Lou DiBella, who promotes New Zealand heavyweight Junior Fa
“Marvin was a giant, a warrior, a king, and a man. He had so much energy. This is a kick to the stomach. “
Hagler was known for his iron chin and fierce power inside the ring, scoring 52 knockouts and only hitting the mat once during his 14-year pro career.
He retired in 1987 after losing a hotly contested split decision to his staunch foe Sugar Ray Leonard. While one judge had Hagler win a close fight 115-113, the other two scored it 118-110 and 115-113 in favor of Leonard.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983.
Hagler legally changed his name from Marvin Nathaniel Hagler to Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1982 after becoming irritated that ABC TV commentators refused to introduce him as ‘Marvelous Marvin’ prior to his title defense against William Lee. He won the fight by TKO in the first round.
Hagler is survived by his wife and five children.
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 5 "}, {" assetId ": " 300252243 ", " href ": " / services / content / v1 / image / 300252243 " , "mediaAnchorPosition ": "8 ", "type ": "RelatedImage ", "captionOverride ": "Marvin Hagler, right, trades leather with rival Thomas Hearns during their unification fight 1985 middleweight in Las Vegas. ", " imageTypes ":[{"imageTypeId":"StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine","urlMap":{"320x180":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.320x180.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","380x214":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.380x214.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","620x350":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x350.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","620x349":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","1240x700":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.1240x700.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","710x400":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.710x400.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","418x235":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.418x235.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg","1420x800":"https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/4/y/r/g/4/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.1420x800.4yrg46.png/1615683333207.jpg"}}], "getImageById ": { "photographer ": "The Ring Magazine / Stuff "}, "photographer ": "The Ring Magazine / Stuff ", "lazyImage ": true}, { "type ": "RelatedHtmlAsset ", "assetId ": "300252257 ", "embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
If the reports are true, we are at a loss for words to hear the loss of our all-time favorite fighter, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, to us the greatest middleweight ever. #RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/lBwqc5Znxz
- Kalle and Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) March 13, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 10 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252255 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
If the reports are true, we are at a loss for words to hear the loss of our all-time favorite fighter, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, to us the greatest middleweight ever. #RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/lBwqc5Znxz
- Kalle and Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) March 13, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 12 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252265 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
Rest in peace Wonderful Marvin Hagler.
Boxing lost an all-time great today 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ynPgvDopne
- Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) March 13, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 14 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252275 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
One of the best at doing it. RIP Marvin Hagler 🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/udWMK67CRf
- Derek Chisora 🥊 (@DerekWarChisora) March 13, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 16 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252273 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
Shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the incredible
Wonderful Marvin Hagler. I am honored to have had such an incredible time with him. My condolences to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champion 🙏🙏- Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) March 14, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 19 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252283 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
OMG. Too soon! Goodbye to a friend and legend. Marvin was a giant, a warrior, a king, and a man. He had so much energy. This is a kick to the stomach. #Boxing he has lost part of his heart and soul. Rest in peace and power, my countryman. #MarvinHagler
- Lou DiBella (@loudibella) March 14, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 20 "}, {" type ": " RelatedHtmlAsset ", " assetId ": " 300252254 ", " embedCode ": { "trusted ": true, "embed ": "
Boxing has lost one of the greats of all time.
Gutted upon learning of the passing of the wonderful Marvin Hagler.
One of the best and toughest fighters in one of the best times in boxing history.
Hagler along with Leonard, Hearns & Duran, the Real Four Kings.#BREAK ❤️ #WAR 👑 #boxing pic.twitter.com/IEEGBgS9W6- Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) March 13, 2021
"}, " mediaAnchorPosition ": " 21 "}]" scripts ":[]}, "status ": 200, "error ": false}}, "category ": { "category ": { "title ": "Sport ", "category ": " nz / sport ", " path ": " / sport ", " articleCategory ": false, " children ":[{"title":"Combat Sports","category":"nz/sport/combat-sports","path":"/sport/combat-sports","articleCategory":true,"children":[]}]}, "error ": false}, "coral ": {}} "
[ad_2]
