Five years ago today, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, the dominant middleweight boxer for many years, passed away. Above all, his incredible fight against Thomas “Hitman” Hearns remains unforgettable.
He was one of boxing’s greatest legends. He inspired numerous stars who came after him—not least Wladimir Klitschko.
Emanuel Steward, the Ukrainian’s former trainer, used videos of “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler’s fights as visual aids and a motivational boost before the former heavyweight world champion’s bouts. “And let me tell you: it worked,” Klitschko reported after Hagler passed away unexpectedly four years ago today.
Hagler, a native of Newark, New Jersey, who would have turned 71 on May 23, was one of the best middleweight boxers in history. He was world champion from 1980 to 1987 and exercised an almost unprecedented dominance over his weight class. He won 62 of his 67 professional fights, 52 by knockout—his record was historic in this regard as well.
Hagler’s most significant fight
Hagler won the WBC and WBA world titles at London’s Wembley Stadium against Britain’s Alan Minter; he added the then-new IBF title in 1983 with a victory over his compatriot Wilford Scypion.
However, Hagler’s most significant fight was likely his bout with Thomas Hearns in April 1985, which went down in history as “The War.” Hagler won the fight against the equally legendary “Hitman” (who was also the namesake of wrestling star Bret “Hitman” Hart) in Las Vegas in the third round.
Prior to that, he engaged in such an action-packed and brutal battle with Hearns—who was himself a protégé of Steward, the man who would later become Klitschko’s coach—from the very first round that, despite its brevity, it remained etched in memory as a classic.
Hagler then successfully defended his titles once more against John Mugabi (Uganda) before losing another mega-fight on points in April 1987—a controversial decision—against “Sugar” Ray Leonard, who was trained by Muhammad Ali’s former coach, Angelo Dundee.
Hagler Turns to Acting
Hagler ended his career in June 1988 after superstar Leonard refused a rematch and subsequently retired himself. Hagler then moved to Italy and became a film actor there. He starred in various action films and in the science-fiction comedy “Virtual Weapon” with Terence Hill.
Boxing Illustrated named the father of five—who officially had the nickname “Marvelous” entered as his first name in his passport—Boxer of the Decade. Among other things, Hagler was also the great idol of his German world champion successor Felix Sturm, about whom Hagler spoke highly in the media when Sturm faced Ronald Hearns—the son of his great rival—in 2011. Sturm also established personal contact with his role model.
“The talent he had, paired with his passion and speed: there will never be another like him.” “In the ring, he was an absolute beast. He approached every fight like a war. He was unconditional.”
Hagler’s Death Shocks the Boxing World
On March 13, 2021, Hagler died following a medical emergency after experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath at his home in New Hampshire.
The unexpected loss also shocked the boxing community on a personal level. Among others, Hagler had close ties to Lennox Lewis and the Klitschkos.
“He was a warrior in the ring and a good soul outside of it,” said Wladimir Klitschko, describing his legendary colleague. Hagler was 66 years old.