The boxing world was left stunned at the weekend as former middleweight ruler Marvin Hagler sadly passed away at the age of 66. A staple of the thriving 1980s fight scene that saw him partake in legendary battles with the likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard, Hagler was universally respected by all boxing fans.
After becoming world champion in 1980 when bludgeoning Britain’s Alan Minter, Hagler embarked on a memorable reign that saw him dominate a stellar list of contenders. His retirement in 1987 was a huge loss to the sport, but nowhere near as devastating as the news that greeted fight supporters on Saturday.
Eddie Hearn, who was in Texas at last week’s super-flyweight epic between Juan Estrada and Roman Gonzalez when the news broke, reflected on Hagler on the most recent Ak and Barak Show.
“There wasn’t anyone who was a sports fan who didn’t know who Marvin Hagler was," Hearn said. "The story of Marvin Hagler is that he wasn’t supposed to make it. He wasn’t supposed to be a Hall of Famer. He wasn’t supposed to be a legend of the sport.
“He was just a blue collar guy. He was just a club fighter really. With no massive amateur pedigree or massive aspirations, but just someone that learned how to fight and learned how to win. He had something inside him that was very difficult to beat.”
Focusing on Hagler’s determination, undoubtedly his greatest attribute, Hearn was quick to praise “Marvelous,” “Hagler was never Sugar Ray Leonard but what he had was he was so tough and so strong. He would break you down and he would keep the pressure on, and that’s what he done to Tommy Hearns. He broke Tommy Hearns.“He was someone that loved the sport but didn't feel the need when he left boxing to stay in the sport. I liked the way that he lived this really quiet lifestyle. I know he had a house in Italy and he spent a lot of time there. He led a quiet lifestyle. You will struggle to find a fighter who’s more respected.”
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