Marvin Hagler
Years on the road, then nearly seven years on top.
- Born
- May 23, 1954, Newark, New Jersey, US
- Died
- March 13, 2021 (aged 66)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 178 cm (5′10″)
- Reach
- 191 cm (6′3″)
- Stance
- Southpaw
- Style
- Relentless switch-hitter
- Weight
- Middleweight
- Active
- 1973–1987
The record
Professional; matches IBHOF record
The story
arvin Nathaniel Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey, and moved with his family to Brockton, Massachusetts, after riots in the late 1960s. Joe Frazier warned him that being a skilled Black southpaw would make fights hard to get, and Hagler spent years travelling to face tough middleweights in their hometowns. His first title shot, against Vito Antuofermo in 1979, ended in a draw. In 1980 he stopped Alan Minter in London and began a reign as undisputed champion that lasted almost seven years, with 12 defences, 11 by knockout, including a three-round war with Thomas Hearns in 1985. He legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, lost a split decision to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987 and never fought again. After boxing he had trouble with the law over a domestic matter.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Undisputed middleweight champion (1980–1987)
- 12 successful title defences, 11 by knockout
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (1993)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (1983, 1985)
- BWAA Fighter of the Year (1983, 1985)
Defining fights
- 1979DRAWvs Vito Antuofermo (SD 15, first title shot)
- 1980WINvs Alan Minter (TKO 3, won middleweight title)
- 1983WINvs Roberto Durán (UD 15)
- 1985WINvs Thomas Hearns (TKO 3)
- 1987LOSSvs Sugar Ray Leonard (SD 12, final fight)
Switch stances with a purpose: Hagler, a natural southpaw, opened against Leonard as an orthodox fighter and turned southpaw when he needed his jab to land. Drill a stance switch that sets up your power hand rather than just changing feet.
