Tag: marvin hagler

Marvin Hagler, Hall of Fame middleweight champ, dies at 66

Marvin Hagler, the Hall of Fame middleweight champion, has died at 66, his wife announced.

Marvin Hagler, the Hall of Fame middleweight who dominated his era, has died, according to his wife, Kay. He was 66.

Kay G. Hagler broke the news on her husband’s Facebook fan page. She wrote:

“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

She didn’t provide more details.

“Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said. “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.”

Hagler, a superb left-handed boxer with knockout power and a granite chin, is considered one of the greatest boxers who ever lived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2a2-8OHdg

“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, which became his legal name, was born in Newark, N.J., but moved with his family to Brockton, Mass., as a teen. He walked into the local gym of Pat and Goody Petronelli when he was 15 and never left.

He reportedly finished his amateur career with a record of 55-1 before turning pro in 1973. He fought his way to middleweight title contention by the late 1970s, with his first championship fight coming against WBA and WBC beltholder Vito Antuofermo in November 1979.

Hagler seemed to do enough to win the fight and the title but he had to settle for a split draw, which was widely criticized.

His breakthrough came in September 1980, when he destroyed Alan Minter – who had taken Antuofermo’s titles – in less than three full rounds to become the middleweight champion of the world.

That was the first step in one of the most dominating runs in the 160-pound division. Hagler held the title of undisputed champion for seven years, which included 12 successful defenses (11 of which came by knockout).

Among them was his classic brawl against Thomas Hearns in April 1985 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which Hagler won by third-round knockout. The frenetic first round is considered one of the wildest in the history of boxing.

It was also the first fight in his “Four Kings” series with Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.

Hagler’s 13th defense came against Leonard, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist and former welterweight and junior middleweight titleholder, in April 1987 at Caesers.

The fight was competitive but Leonard, a significant underdog after a three-year hiatus from boxing, stunned the boxing world by winning a split decision to take the middleweight championship.

Two judges scored it for Leonard (118-110 and 115-113) and one of Hagler (115-113). The majority of those at ringside who were polled after the fight had Hagler winning.

Hagler always believed he deserved to win the decision.

“Even though the outcome wasn’t the way it should have been, publicly I still feel in my heart I won the Sugar Ray Leonard fight,” he said later.

He wanted a rematch with Leonard but the new champ decided to retire again, although he returned to boxing once more 19 months later. Hagler, only 32 when he lost to Leonard, never fought again. He finished his career with a record of 62-3-2 (52 KOs).

“Sugar Ray wouldn’t give me a rematch, and that’s why I walked away from boxing,” he said.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. He became a regular and fan favorite at Hall of Fame weekend most years in Canastota, N.Y.

Hagler later became an actor and moved to Italy.

Marvin Hagler, Hall of Fame middleweight champ, dies at 66

Marvin Hagler, the Hall of Fame middleweight champion, has died at 66, his wife announced.

Marvin Hagler, the Hall of Fame middleweight who dominated his era, has died, according to his wife, Kay. He was 66.

Kay G. Hagler broke the news on her husband’s Facebook fan page. She wrote:

“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

She didn’t provide more details.

“Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said. “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.”

Hagler, a superb left-handed boxer with knockout power and a granite chin, is considered one of the greatest boxers who ever lived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2a2-8OHdg

“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, which became his legal name, was born in Newark, N.J., but moved with his family to Brockton, Mass., as a teen. He walked into the local gym of Pat and Goody Petronelli when he was 15 and never left.

He reportedly finished his amateur career with a record of 55-1 before turning pro in 1973. He fought his way to middleweight title contention by the late 1970s, with his first championship fight coming against WBA and WBC beltholder Vito Antuofermo in November 1979.

Hagler seemed to do enough to win the fight and the title but he had to settle for a split draw, which was widely criticized.

His breakthrough came in September 1980, when he destroyed Alan Minter – who had taken Antuofermo’s titles – in less than three full rounds to become the middleweight champion of the world.

That was the first step in one of the most dominating runs in the 160-pound division. Hagler held the title of undisputed champion for seven years, which included 12 successful defenses (11 of which came by knockout).

Among them was his classic brawl against Thomas Hearns in April 1985 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which Hagler won by third-round knockout. The frenetic first round is considered one of the wildest in the history of boxing.

It was also the first fight in his “Four Kings” series with Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.

Hagler’s 13th defense came against Leonard, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist and former welterweight and junior middleweight titleholder, in April 1987 at Caesers.

The fight was competitive but Leonard, a significant underdog after a three-year hiatus from boxing, stunned the boxing world by winning a split decision to take the middleweight championship.

Two judges scored it for Leonard (118-110 and 115-113) and one of Hagler (115-113). The majority of those at ringside who were polled after the fight had Hagler winning.

Hagler always believed he deserved to win the decision.

“Even though the outcome wasn’t the way it should have been, publicly I still feel in my heart I won the Sugar Ray Leonard fight,” he said later.

He wanted a rematch with Leonard but the new champ decided to retire again, although he returned to boxing once more 19 months later. Hagler, only 32 when he lost to Leonard, never fought again. He finished his career with a record of 62-3-2 (52 KOs).

“Sugar Ray wouldn’t give me a rematch, and that’s why I walked away from boxing,” he said.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. He became a regular and fan favorite at Hall of Fame weekend most years in Canastota, N.Y.

Hagler later became an actor and moved to Italy.

Video: Ak, Barak: Sugar Ray Leonard believes Canelo Alvarez is No. 1

Sugar Ray Leonard knows a thing or two about being the best in the business. And the Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate when he was asked who he believes the best active fighter is: Canelo Alvarez, who is behind only Terence Crawford on Boxing Junkie’s …

Sugar Ray Leonard knows a thing or two about being the best in the business.

And the Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate when he was asked who he believes the best active fighter is: Canelo Alvarez, who is behind only Terence Crawford on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list.

Alvarez is a four-division titleholder who, at 30, is still at the top of his game.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess interview the all-time great about Alvarez, his great career and more.

Here’s what he had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer jFCV9ZkL]

Video: Ak, Barak: Sugar Ray Leonard believes Canelo Alvarez is No. 1

Sugar Ray Leonard knows a thing or two about being the best in the business. And the Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate when he was asked who he believes the best active fighter is: Canelo Alvarez, who is behind only Terence Crawford on Boxing Junkie’s …

Sugar Ray Leonard knows a thing or two about being the best in the business.

And the Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate when he was asked who he believes the best active fighter is: Canelo Alvarez, who is behind only Terence Crawford on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list.

Alvarez is a four-division titleholder who, at 30, is still at the top of his game.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess interview the all-time great about Alvarez, his great career and more.

Here’s what he had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer jFCV9ZkL]

Juan Roldan, 1980s middleweight contender, dies of COVID-19

Former middleweight contender Juan Roldan died of COVID-19 on Wednesday in his native Argentina. He was 63.

Juan Roldan is being remembered as a short, stout brawler from Argentina who failed in three attempts to win a world middleweight title but always went down swinging.

“The Hammer,” who died today from COVID-19 complications at 63, was a terror in his native country. He built a record of 47-2-2 (34 KOs) – fighting all but one time in Argentina – before coming to the U.S. as a 160-pound contender.

Roldan (67-5-2, 47 KOs) stopped Frank “The Animal” Fletcher in six rounds in his American debut, in 1983. That earned him a shot at the champion and one of the greatest middleweights of all time in March 1984: Marvin Hagler.

The Argentine famously put Hagler down in the opening round, although the champ appeared to slip after a grazing punch. That’s the only knockdown in Hagler’s career. After that, in spite of a spirited effort from, he couldn’t continue after going down in Round 10.

Hagler was accused by Roldan of thumbing his right eye in the third round, which caused him problems the remainder of the fight. When it was stopped, the eye was swollen shut.

”No thumb, no thumb,” Hagler said. ”That was an uppercut. It was a clean shot right off the bridge of the eye.”

Roldan received a shot at a vacant title against another Hall of Famer in October 1987: Tommy Hearns. The banger came out banging – and stunned Hearns a few times – but he couldn’t get out of the fourth round, the victim a big right hand from the Hitman.

Hearns became the first fighter to win titles in four divisions.

The following year, in November, Roldan received one more opportunity to fight for a title but was stopped in eight rounds by then-unbeaten Michael Nunn.

Roldan, only 31, never fought again.

The retiree bought dairy farm in his mountainous region of Cordoba, becoming a successful rancher, according to RingTV.com’s Argentine correspondent. He reportedly was diagnosed with the coronavirus three days before he died in his hometown of San Francisco.

Juan Roldan, 1980s middleweight contender, dies of COVID-19

Former middleweight contender Juan Roldan died of COVID-19 on Wednesday in his native Argentina. He was 63.

Juan Roldan is being remembered as a short, stout brawler from Argentina who failed in three attempts to win a world middleweight title but always went down swinging.

“The Hammer,” who died today from COVID-19 complications at 63, was a terror in his native country. He built a record of 47-2-2 (34 KOs) – fighting all but one time in Argentina – before coming to the U.S. as a 160-pound contender.

Roldan (67-5-2, 47 KOs) stopped Frank “The Animal” Fletcher in six rounds in his American debut, in 1983. That earned him a shot at the champion and one of the greatest middleweights of all time in March 1984: Marvin Hagler.

The Argentine famously put Hagler down in the opening round, although the champ appeared to slip after a grazing punch. That’s the only knockdown in Hagler’s career. After that, in spite of a spirited effort from, he couldn’t continue after going down in Round 10.

Hagler was accused by Roldan of thumbing his right eye in the third round, which caused him problems the remainder of the fight. When it was stopped, the eye was swollen shut.

”No thumb, no thumb,” Hagler said. ”That was an uppercut. It was a clean shot right off the bridge of the eye.”

Roldan received a shot at a vacant title against another Hall of Famer in October 1987: Tommy Hearns. The banger came out banging – and stunned Hearns a few times – but he couldn’t get out of the fourth round, the victim a big right hand from the Hitman.

Hearns became the first fighter to win titles in four divisions.

The following year, in November, Roldan received one more opportunity to fight for a title but was stopped in eight rounds by then-unbeaten Michael Nunn.

Roldan, only 31, never fought again.

The retiree bought dairy farm in his mountainous region of Cordoba, becoming a successful rancher, according to RingTV.com’s Argentine correspondent. He reportedly was diagnosed with the coronavirus three days before he died in his hometown of San Francisco.

Alan Minter, former middleweight champ, dies at 69

Alan Minter, one of the top middleweights of the 1980s, has died. He was 69.

Alan Minter, one of the top middleweights of the 1980s, has died. He was 69.

No cause of death has been announced but, according to The Associated Press, he had been battling cancer.

Minter, from the town of Crawley, England, won the light middleweight bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He turned pro later that year and was a British champion within three years and European titlist within five.

He won two versions of the world middleweight title when he defeated Italian Vito Antuofermo by a split decision in 1980 in Las Vegas. He also won the rematch three months later in London, this time winning by stoppage when Antuofermo retired with bad cuts after eight rounds.

The Guardian reported that Minter was met by thousands upon his return to Crawley after winning the championship.

“When I won the British title, I could walk down the street and hold my head up high,” he said. “Then the European title and then the world title. That was unbelievable.”

Minter ran into all-time great Marvin Hagler three months after the second Antuofermo fight, losing by a technical knockout because of cuts. The stoppage sparked an infamous riot at Wembley Arena.

Minter fought only three more times, all in 1981. He outpointed Ernie Singletary but then lost a split decision against Mustafa Hamsho and was stopped by Tony Sibson in three rounds. He was only 30 at the time of his last fight.

He reportedly owned a restaurant in Crawley in retirement.

Alan Minter, former middleweight champ, dies at 69

Alan Minter, one of the top middleweights of the 1980s, has died. He was 69.

Alan Minter, one of the top middleweights of the 1980s, has died. He was 69.

No cause of death has been announced but, according to The Associated Press, he had been battling cancer.

Minter, from the town of Crawley, England, won the light middleweight bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He turned pro later that year and was a British champion within three years and European titlist within five.

He won two versions of the world middleweight title when he defeated Italian Vito Antuofermo by a split decision in 1980 in Las Vegas. He also won the rematch three months later in London, this time winning by stoppage when Antuofermo retired with bad cuts after eight rounds.

The Guardian reported that Minter was met by thousands upon his return to Crawley after winning the championship.

“When I won the British title, I could walk down the street and hold my head up high,” he said. “Then the European title and then the world title. That was unbelievable.”

Minter ran into all-time great Marvin Hagler three months after the second Antuofermo fight, losing by a technical knockout because of cuts. The stoppage sparked an infamous riot at Wembley Arena.

Minter fought only three more times, all in 1981. He outpointed Ernie Singletary but then lost a split decision against Mustafa Hamsho and was stopped by Tony Sibson in three rounds. He was only 30 at the time of his last fight.

He reportedly owned a restaurant in Crawley in retirement.

More classic fights: ESPN2 showcases controversial decisions

ESPN2 is showcasing five of the most controversial decisions of the past 30-plus years beginning at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

You be the judge.

ESPN2 is showcasing five of the most controversial decisions of the past 30-plus years beginning at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). The classic fights can also be seen on ESPN+.

The lineup kicks off with Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad from 1999. De La Hoya, the biggest star in the sport at that time, was leading on the cards when he inexplicably ran the last three-plus rounds, which cost him the decision.

At 8 p.m. is De La Hoya vs. Shane Mosley II from 2000. Mosley won their first meeting by a split decision. And the second give-and-take fight also was close. De La Hoya outlanded Mosley 221-127, according to CompuBox, but lost a unanimous decision.

At 9 p.m. is Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III from  2011. Many believe Marquez deserved to win a decision in this fight but Pacquiao emerged with the majority-decision nod.

At 10 p.m. is Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonad from 1987. Leonard came back from almost three years away from the sport to stun Hagler and the boxing world by winning a split decision. Did he deserve it?

And at 11 is Floyd Mayweather vs Jose Luis Castillo I. This might’ve been the most difficult fight of Mayweather’s career, as Castillo’s mauling tactics made the pound-for-pound king’s life miserable. Mayweather emerged with a unanimous decision but not everyone was convinced.

Bob Arum on Terence Crawford’s empty-arena demand: ‘Next man up’

Bob Arum said he’ll look to other fighters if Terence Crawford demands more money to fight in an empty arena.

Bob Arum has no problem if his pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford wants more money to fight in an empty arena. The promoter will simply look for someone else if boxing returns without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Next man up,” Arum said on the Boxing with Chris Mannix show. “Nobody in this situation is indispensable.”

He went on: “If a fighter said, ‘No, I don’t want to fight without an audience’ or you have to pay me more, that’s OK. I respect that. Next man up. … Again, nobody can force anybody to fight and nobody can force a promoter to use them.

“I’m going to have to use those fighters who have managers who realize the situation they are in.”

Arum has said he would like to resume boxing in June but only if all involved are safe. He has been openly critical of Dana White’s plan to stage three UFC cards this month, beginning this Saturday.

And he suggested the fresh start could be good for the sport.

“I look forward – maybe I’m an optimist – to more cross-promotions like [Wilder-Fury],” he said. “I think if we do that and we start churning out Crawford vs. [Errol] Spence and a lot of fights that can be made that the public wants to see, I think boxing will revive and be back, almost, to where it was in the 1980s with the Four Kings (Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns).”