Tag: Marvin Hagler dies

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on USAToday.com.

***

The claim: Marvin Hagler’s death caused by COVID-19 vaccination

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler died March 13 in his home in New Hampshire. He was 66.

Many have taken to social media to express their admiration for boxing’s greatest middleweight champion and to speculate about his cause of death.

“Marvin Hagler Was Allegedly in ICU Fighting After Effects of COVID Vaccine,” claims a March 14 Instagram post from entertainment news outlet VladTV.com. This claim was also repeated by far-right publication The Gateway Pundit the same day, citing an Instagram post from fellow boxing great Thomas Hearn.

“A real true warrior Pray for the kind and his family.. he’s in the ICU fighting the after effects of the vaccine!” wrote Hearns on March 14 in a now-deleted post.

VladTV.com’s post has received nearly 3,000 likes since it was posted. In comments under The Gateway Pundit’s post, which gained nearly 5,000 likes, Instagram users expressed distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Is it still a covid death if the vaccine is what kills you?” asks one user.

“Omg another vaccine death,” said another user.

USA TODAY has reached out to VladTV.com for further comment.

Wife denies vaccine was cause of death

On March 15, Hagler’s widow, Kay Hagler, took to Facebook to address the rumors surrounding her husband’s death

“I was the only person close to him until the last minute, and I am the only person that know how things went not even his family know all the details and I do NOT accept to read some stupid comment without knowing really what happen,” she wrote, apologizing at the start of the post for potentially broken English. “For sure wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death. My baby left in peace with his usually smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense.”

According to a TMZ report, Hagler’s son, James, said his father was taken to a New Hampshire hospital after experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing.

No specific cause of death has been declared but, according to Hagler’s official website, the boxing champ died “of natural causes near his home in New Hampshire.”

Hearns, a former boxer famously defeated by Hagler in 1985 with a third-round knockout, is the only source linking Hagler’s death to the vaccine and has since deleted his Instagram post claiming that.

USA TODAY has reached out to Hearns for further comment.

The Gateway Pundit informed USA TODAY it had revised its Instagram post with Kay’s statement.

No link between deaths and COVID-19 vaccine

Hagler’s death comes after reports of deaths following vaccination among the elderly in Europe and baseball legend Hank Aaron’s death back in January.

Aaron’s death, which occurred nearly three weeks after he received his vaccination alongside other civil and human rights leaders at Morehouse Healthcare Clinic in Georgia, has not been ruled vaccine-related.

Deaths among the elderly in Norway and Germany have also been determined to be unrelated to the vaccine.

Similar claims linking the COVID-19 vaccine to reports of death across the U.S. and elsewhere have also been debunked by USA TODAY.

Our rating: False

The claim that boxing champion Marvin Hagler’s death was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine is FALSE, based on our research. The claim originates from former boxer Thomas Hearns’ March 14 Instagram post which has since been deleted. Hagler’s widow, Kay Hagler, took to Facebook to dispel the misconception that the vaccine had anything to do with her husband’s death.

[lawrence-related id=18647,18618,18595,18587]

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on USAToday.com.

***

The claim: Marvin Hagler’s death caused by COVID-19 vaccination

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler died March 13 in his home in New Hampshire. He was 66.

Many have taken to social media to express their admiration for boxing’s greatest middleweight champion and to speculate about his cause of death.

“Marvin Hagler Was Allegedly in ICU Fighting After Effects of COVID Vaccine,” claims a March 14 Instagram post from entertainment news outlet VladTV.com. This claim was also repeated by far-right publication The Gateway Pundit the same day, citing an Instagram post from fellow boxing great Thomas Hearn.

“A real true warrior Pray for the kind and his family.. he’s in the ICU fighting the after effects of the vaccine!” wrote Hearns on March 14 in a now-deleted post.

VladTV.com’s post has received nearly 3,000 likes since it was posted. In comments under The Gateway Pundit’s post, which gained nearly 5,000 likes, Instagram users expressed distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Is it still a covid death if the vaccine is what kills you?” asks one user.

“Omg another vaccine death,” said another user.

USA TODAY has reached out to VladTV.com for further comment.

Wife denies vaccine was cause of death

On March 15, Hagler’s widow, Kay Hagler, took to Facebook to address the rumors surrounding her husband’s death

“I was the only person close to him until the last minute, and I am the only person that know how things went not even his family know all the details and I do NOT accept to read some stupid comment without knowing really what happen,” she wrote, apologizing at the start of the post for potentially broken English. “For sure wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death. My baby left in peace with his usually smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense.”

According to a TMZ report, Hagler’s son, James, said his father was taken to a New Hampshire hospital after experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing.

No specific cause of death has been declared but, according to Hagler’s official website, the boxing champ died “of natural causes near his home in New Hampshire.”

Hearns, a former boxer famously defeated by Hagler in 1985 with a third-round knockout, is the only source linking Hagler’s death to the vaccine and has since deleted his Instagram post claiming that.

USA TODAY has reached out to Hearns for further comment.

The Gateway Pundit informed USA TODAY it had revised its Instagram post with Kay’s statement.

No link between deaths and COVID-19 vaccine

Hagler’s death comes after reports of deaths following vaccination among the elderly in Europe and baseball legend Hank Aaron’s death back in January.

Aaron’s death, which occurred nearly three weeks after he received his vaccination alongside other civil and human rights leaders at Morehouse Healthcare Clinic in Georgia, has not been ruled vaccine-related.

Deaths among the elderly in Norway and Germany have also been determined to be unrelated to the vaccine.

Similar claims linking the COVID-19 vaccine to reports of death across the U.S. and elsewhere have also been debunked by USA TODAY.

Our rating: False

The claim that boxing champion Marvin Hagler’s death was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine is FALSE, based on our research. The claim originates from former boxer Thomas Hearns’ March 14 Instagram post which has since been deleted. Hagler’s widow, Kay Hagler, took to Facebook to dispel the misconception that the vaccine had anything to do with her husband’s death.

[lawrence-related id=18647,18618,18595,18587]

Marvin Hagler dead? Not possible. No one could take out the Marvelous one, not even the big guy. Or so it seemed.

One quarter of the legendary “Four Kings” didn’t have the most flair during a golden era of lower-weight boxers. Sugar Ray Leonard did. And he didn’t have the most power pound-for-pound. That was Thomas Hearns. And Hagler, while he never played Mr. Nice Guy, wasn’t quite as nasty as Roberto Duran.

What did Hagler bring to the table? Unparalleled toughness. You could outpoint Hagler – a few did – but you couldn’t stop him. Not possible, not with his inhuman chin, not with his determination.

And he would need that resolve to rise to greatness.

Hagler didn’t have the amateur pedigree of Leonard, who was an attraction the second his Olympic gold medal was placed around his neck. Hagler, from blue-collar Brockton, Mass., had to scratch and claw – and punch – for everything he achieved.

“It’s hard to get up at 6 a.m. when you’re wearing silk pajamas,” he once said.

That’s why he had a chip on his shoulder throughout his career; he was handed nothing. Promoter Bob Arum, who guided Hagler during his best years, told Sports Illustrated that his client fought for $50-100 per fight when he started out.

He climbed the rankings the old-school way — by winning fights.

Oh, he had some setbacks early in his career, a draw with 1972 Olympic champion Sugar Ray Seales, a disputed loss to Bobby Watts and a clear decision against veteran Willie Monroe. He learned from those disappointments and grew as a fighter, his confidence never wavering.

By the late 1970s he was all but unbeatable. And he wasn’t just defeating opponents; he used his unusual combination of ability, power and durability to dismantle them.

He gave us an idea of his mentality when he said, “The only difference between street fighting and boxing is there a ref there from stopping me from killing you.” Fans loved that attitude.

Still, in an obvious sign of disrespect, he had 49 professional fights under his belt before he finally received an opportunity to fight for the world middleweight championship in 1979. The titleholder was rough, tough Vito Antuofermo. Hagler, far superior to the Italian in terms of talent, seemed to win the fight handily but somehow had to settle for a draw.

Then, after Antuofermo lost his titles to Alan Minter, Hagler’s time finally arrived.

Minter, a rugged Englishman, was a good, experienced fighter but didn’t have much of a chance to show it at Wembley Arena in London. The fight was stopped in the third round because of deep cuts around Minter’s eyes, which didn’t sit well with the 12,000 spectators.

After the announcement was made, the ring was showered with beer cans and bottles. It got so bad that Hagler’s team formed a human umbrella in an effort to protect him in one of boxing’s most disgraceful moments.

As a result of the riot, the ring announcer never declared him the new champion. One more shot below the belt he had to endure.

Hagler had his championship, though. And he had no plans to give up. He embarked on one of the great runs in middleweight history after that fight, successfully defending his title 12 times – 11 by knockout.

That included a classic fight, his three-round war with Hearns in April 1985 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The fighters gave fans a Round 1 for the ages, in which both men threw defense out the window and tried to end the fight with every punch they threw.

Hagler was cut and then rocked by one of Hearns’ vaunted right hands near the end of the round but it was Hearns who suffered the most significant injury. He broke that hand, which put him in an impossible position given the beast in front of him

Hearns tried to box thereafter but Hagler, bent on destruction, pursued his prey relentlessly before finally delivering an appropriate conclusion – a right hook, followed by a straight right that sent Hearns crashing to the canvas for a dramatic knockout.

If Hagler lacked respect before that fight, he certainly didn’t afterward. He had claimed legend status.

Then, only two fights later, it was all over.

Hagler was only 32 but was showing wear and tear when he agreed to face Leonard in May 1987 at Caesars, three years after Leonard had “retired” because of a detached retina. Perhaps that’s one reason Leonard agreed to take on what seemed to be an impossible assignment.

Leonard? A blown-up welterweight coming off a long hiatus? Beating Marvin Hagler? C’mon.

It happened. Leonard, quicker and more active, impressed the judges enough to win a split decision and the middleweight championship. Who really won? Well, the majority of 25 ringside journalists polled by Newsday gave the nod to Hagler but it was close: 12 for Hagler, 10 for Leonard, three draws.

An outraged Hagler demanded a rematch but Leonard, perhaps wisely, retired once again. That was the last indignity Hagler would endure: He never fought again.

Of course, that’s the last way the proud Hagler would’ve wanted to go out, with a loss to a fighter he implied wore those silk pajamas. However, without question, he had garnered the respect he sought throughout his marvelous career.

The Hall of Famer, who died at 66 Saturday, is remembered as one of the best ever in the sport, a superhuman fighting machine that overcame significant obstacles to destroy almost everything in its path, much to the fans’ delight.

Marvin Hagler was great because he had the ability and he wouldn’t accept anything less, no matter the cost. That’s a true warrior, which is a label he would’ve chosen for himself.

“If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove,” he said. “That’s all I am. I live it.”

[lawrence-related id=18595,18587]

Marvin Hagler dead? Not possible. No one could take out the Marvelous one, not even the big guy. Or so it seemed.

One quarter of the legendary “Four Kings” didn’t have the most flair during a golden era of lower-weight boxers. Sugar Ray Leonard did. And he didn’t have the most power pound-for-pound. That was Thomas Hearns. And Hagler, while he never played Mr. Nice Guy, wasn’t quite as nasty as Roberto Duran.

What did Hagler bring to the table? Unparalleled toughness. You could outpoint Hagler – a few did – but you couldn’t stop him. Not possible, not with his inhuman chin, not with his determination.

And he would need that resolve to rise to greatness.

Hagler didn’t have the amateur pedigree of Leonard, who was an attraction the second his Olympic gold medal was placed around his neck. Hagler, from blue-collar Brockton, Mass., had to scratch and claw – and punch – for everything he achieved.

“It’s hard to get up at 6 a.m. when you’re wearing silk pajamas,” he once said.

That’s why he had a chip on his shoulder throughout his career; he was handed nothing. Promoter Bob Arum, who guided Hagler during his best years, told Sports Illustrated that his client fought for $50-100 per fight when he started out.

He climbed the rankings the old-school way — by winning fights.

Oh, he had some setbacks early in his career, a draw with 1972 Olympic champion Sugar Ray Seales, a disputed loss to Bobby Watts and a clear decision against veteran Willie Monroe. He learned from those disappointments and grew as a fighter, his confidence never wavering.

By the late 1970s he was all but unbeatable. And he wasn’t just defeating opponents; he used his unusual combination of ability, power and durability to dismantle them.

He gave us an idea of his mentality when he said, “The only difference between street fighting and boxing is there a ref there from stopping me from killing you.” Fans loved that attitude.

Still, in an obvious sign of disrespect, he had 49 professional fights under his belt before he finally received an opportunity to fight for the world middleweight championship in 1979. The titleholder was rough, tough Vito Antuofermo. Hagler, far superior to the Italian in terms of talent, seemed to win the fight handily but somehow had to settle for a draw.

Then, after Antuofermo lost his titles to Alan Minter, Hagler’s time finally arrived.

Minter, a rugged Englishman, was a good, experienced fighter but didn’t have much of a chance to show it at Wembley Arena in London. The fight was stopped in the third round because of deep cuts around Minter’s eyes, which didn’t sit well with the 12,000 spectators.

After the announcement was made, the ring was showered with beer cans and bottles. It got so bad that Hagler’s team formed a human umbrella in an effort to protect him in one of boxing’s most disgraceful moments.

As a result of the riot, the ring announcer never declared him the new champion. One more shot below the belt he had to endure.

Hagler had his championship, though. And he had no plans to give up. He embarked on one of the great runs in middleweight history after that fight, successfully defending his title 12 times – 11 by knockout.

That included a classic fight, his three-round war with Hearns in April 1985 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The fighters gave fans a Round 1 for the ages, in which both men threw defense out the window and tried to end the fight with every punch they threw.

Hagler was cut and then rocked by one of Hearns’ vaunted right hands near the end of the round but it was Hearns who suffered the most significant injury. He broke that hand, which put him in an impossible position given the beast in front of him

Hearns tried to box thereafter but Hagler, bent on destruction, pursued his prey relentlessly before finally delivering an appropriate conclusion – a right hook, followed by a straight right that sent Hearns crashing to the canvas for a dramatic knockout.

If Hagler lacked respect before that fight, he certainly didn’t afterward. He had claimed legend status.

Then, only two fights later, it was all over.

Hagler was only 32 but was showing wear and tear when he agreed to face Leonard in May 1987 at Caesars, three years after Leonard had “retired” because of a detached retina. Perhaps that’s one reason Leonard agreed to take on what seemed to be an impossible assignment.

Leonard? A blown-up welterweight coming off a long hiatus? Beating Marvin Hagler? C’mon.

It happened. Leonard, quicker and more active, impressed the judges enough to win a split decision and the middleweight championship. Who really won? Well, the majority of 25 ringside journalists polled by Newsday gave the nod to Hagler but it was close: 12 for Hagler, 10 for Leonard, three draws.

An outraged Hagler demanded a rematch but Leonard, perhaps wisely, retired once again. That was the last indignity Hagler would endure: He never fought again.

Of course, that’s the last way the proud Hagler would’ve wanted to go out, with a loss to a fighter he implied wore those silk pajamas. However, without question, he had garnered the respect he sought throughout his marvelous career.

The Hall of Famer, who died at 66 Saturday, is remembered as one of the best ever in the sport, a superhuman fighting machine that overcame significant obstacles to destroy almost everything in its path, much to the fans’ delight.

Marvin Hagler was great because he had the ability and he wouldn’t accept anything less, no matter the cost. That’s a true warrior, which is a label he would’ve chosen for himself.

“If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove,” he said. “That’s all I am. I live it.”

[lawrence-related id=18595,18587]

The boxing world was plunged into mourning at the news of Marvin Hagler’s passing.

The middleweight legend’s wife, Kay G. Hagler, made the announced on her husband’s Facebook fan page, saying only that the Hall of Famer had passed away suddenly.

Hagler was the undisputed 160-pound champ between 1980 and 1987, when Sugar Ray Leonard pulled off a tremendous upset to take the title.

Here are some reactions from Twitter.

This is how I want to remember Marvelous Marvin Hagler . His words encouraging Adonis Stevenson after his accident Always there to help others. The boxing world is in Disbelief. A champion for eternity. pic.twitter.com/2slnz97ta7

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 14, 2021

Hard to explain what a big deal #MarvelousMarvinHagler was in the 1980s. He was Mike Tyson before there was a Mike Tyson. The best AND the baddest. For people in my generation, this one hits hard. RIP champ.

— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) March 14, 2021

Rest in Peace to the legendary Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Grew up studying this man & always trying to emulate the same ferocity & grit he would use to beat his opponents. You’ll be missed Champ. pic.twitter.com/GDbYDjUFbI

— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 14, 2021

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted. He was a man of honor and a man of his word, and he performed in the ring with unparalleled determination.

He was a true athlete and a true man. I will miss him greatly. pic.twitter.com/RjNSlayBwA

— Bob Arum (@BobArum) March 14, 2021

 

Saddened to hear about the death of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. One of the greatest to ever step in the ring! #RIPMarvelous pic.twitter.com/RNgVym0CdC

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) March 14, 2021

 

Marvin Hagler came to my fight in Boston. I appreciated what he said to me after my fight. Rest In Peace, my friend. Condolences to the Hagler family. Thank you Marvelous Marvin Hagler for all you gave to boxing #boxing #legend #icon #friend #boxer #worldchampion #wildcardboxing pic.twitter.com/LNduOj4Qd9

— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) March 14, 2021

 

Rest In Peace Marvin Hagler 🙏🏼

— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) March 13, 2021

 

One of the greatest to ever play this crazy game called boxing.
RIP Marvin Hagler #MarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/cz0zMYeZra

— David Haye (@davidhaye) March 14, 2021

Unbelievable!! RIP Marvellous Marvin Hagler ❤️🙏😢😢😢 #Boxing #Boxe #Boxeo @ Montreal, Quebec https://t.co/QuXjbbZdlG

— Russ Anber (@RussAnber) March 14, 2021

 

 

I am crushed to hear of the death of Marvin Hagler. I have known him since the early 1980s. I was lucky to call many of his fights and honored to know him outside the ring. My affection and respect for him knows no bounds. Loved being around him. He will be missed.

— Al Bernstein (@AlBernstein) March 14, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Dam bittersweet day for us boxing fans. All waiting for a great fight and today one of the greatest legends of our sport dies. May my condolences rest in peace for her family. #Marvinhagler

— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) March 14, 2021

 

RIP to a true legend. Marvelous Marvin Hagler pic.twitter.com/XVKpam3beS

— Rougarou (@RPrograis) March 14, 2021

 

Very sad to hear that Marvin Hagler passed away at the age of 66, way too young. Was a highlight to see @GGGBoxing and Marvin Hagler together, one of the greatest Champions and role model for young boxers. RIP Champ🥊 pic.twitter.com/PiiTEj6dem

— Tom Loeffler (@TomLoeffler1) March 14, 2021

 

Absolutely gutted
One of the best to ever do it
RIP champ
🙏🥊💔#MarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/imVdFpo3gx

— David Diamante (@daviddiamante) March 14, 2021

 

https://twitter.com/RayLeonardJr/status/status/1370896353556008964

[lawrence-related id=18587]

 

 

 

 

The boxing world was plunged into mourning at the news of Marvin Hagler’s passing.

The middleweight legend’s wife, Kay G. Hagler, made the announced on her husband’s Facebook fan page, saying only that the Hall of Famer had passed away suddenly.

Hagler was the undisputed 160-pound champ between 1980 and 1987, when Sugar Ray Leonard pulled off a tremendous upset to take the title.

Here are some reactions from Twitter.

This is how I want to remember Marvelous Marvin Hagler . His words encouraging Adonis Stevenson after his accident Always there to help others. The boxing world is in Disbelief. A champion for eternity. pic.twitter.com/2slnz97ta7

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 14, 2021

Hard to explain what a big deal #MarvelousMarvinHagler was in the 1980s. He was Mike Tyson before there was a Mike Tyson. The best AND the baddest. For people in my generation, this one hits hard. RIP champ.

— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) March 14, 2021

Rest in Peace to the legendary Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Grew up studying this man & always trying to emulate the same ferocity & grit he would use to beat his opponents. You’ll be missed Champ. pic.twitter.com/GDbYDjUFbI

— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 14, 2021

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted. He was a man of honor and a man of his word, and he performed in the ring with unparalleled determination.

He was a true athlete and a true man. I will miss him greatly. pic.twitter.com/RjNSlayBwA

— Bob Arum (@BobArum) March 14, 2021

 

Saddened to hear about the death of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. One of the greatest to ever step in the ring! #RIPMarvelous pic.twitter.com/RNgVym0CdC

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) March 14, 2021

 

Marvin Hagler came to my fight in Boston. I appreciated what he said to me after my fight. Rest In Peace, my friend. Condolences to the Hagler family. Thank you Marvelous Marvin Hagler for all you gave to boxing #boxing #legend #icon #friend #boxer #worldchampion #wildcardboxing pic.twitter.com/LNduOj4Qd9

— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) March 14, 2021

 

Rest In Peace Marvin Hagler 🙏🏼

— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) March 13, 2021

 

https://twitter.com/davidhaye/status/1370907560606306305

Unbelievable!! RIP Marvellous Marvin Hagler ❤️🙏😢😢😢 #Boxing #Boxe #Boxeo @ Montreal, Quebec https://t.co/QuXjbbZdlG

— Russ Anber (@RussAnber) March 14, 2021

 

 

I am crushed to hear of the death of Marvin Hagler. I have known him since the early 1980s. I was lucky to call many of his fights and honored to know him outside the ring. My affection and respect for him knows no bounds. Loved being around him. He will be missed.

— Al Bernstein (@AlBernstein) March 14, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Dam bittersweet day for us boxing fans. All waiting for a great fight and today one of the greatest legends of our sport dies. May my condolences rest in peace for her family. #Marvinhagler

— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) March 14, 2021

 

RIP to a true legend. Marvelous Marvin Hagler pic.twitter.com/XVKpam3beS

— Rougarou (@RPrograis) March 14, 2021

 

Very sad to hear that Marvin Hagler passed away at the age of 66, way too young. Was a highlight to see @GGGBoxing and Marvin Hagler together, one of the greatest Champions and role model for young boxers. RIP Champ🥊 pic.twitter.com/PiiTEj6dem

— Tom Loeffler (@TomLoeffler1) March 14, 2021

 

Absolutely gutted
One of the best to ever do it
RIP champ
🙏🥊💔#MarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/imVdFpo3gx

— David Diamante (@daviddiamante) March 14, 2021

 

https://twitter.com/RayLeonardJr/status/status/1370896353556008964

[lawrence-related id=18587]