Hall of Famer Roberto Duran is being treated for a heart issue in his native Panama, according to The Associated Press.
Roberto Duran was receiving treatment for a heart issue Saturday in his native Panama, The Associated Press is reporting.
The 72-year-old Hall of Famer’s family stated on his Instagram account that he has an atrioventricular block, which, according to Yale Medicine, “is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to beat more slowly than it should.”
The Yale website went on: “It’s caused by communication problems within the heart’s electrical conduction system. For some people, the condition doesn’t cause symptoms; for others, it may be life-threatening.”
Duran’s family was anticipating more news.
“We are waiting for results so that we can provide more information on his health,” the family said. “We thank our relatives, friends and all of his supporters who are praying for him.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman posted on X: “His family is joined by the world in prayers for his successful and prompt recovery, he is a champion and will win this fight.”
Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) is one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Some consider the four-division champion the best lightweight who ever lived. However, he attained his greatest fame by becoming the first to defeat Sugar Ray Leonard and subsequent achievements.
He was one of the “Four Kings,” with Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, whose fights against one another are legendary.
Hall of Famer Roberto Duran is being treated for a heart issue in his native Panama, according to The Associated Press.
Roberto Duran was receiving treatment for a heart issue Saturday in his native Panama, The Associated Press is reporting.
The 72-year-old Hall of Famer’s family stated on his Instagram account that he has an atrioventricular block, which, according to Yale Medicine, “is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to beat more slowly than it should.”
The Yale website went on: “It’s caused by communication problems within the heart’s electrical conduction system. For some people, the condition doesn’t cause symptoms; for others, it may be life-threatening.”
Duran’s family was anticipating more news.
“We are waiting for results so that we can provide more information on his health,” the family said. “We thank our relatives, friends and all of his supporters who are praying for him.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman posted on X: “His family is joined by the world in prayers for his successful and prompt recovery, he is a champion and will win this fight.”
Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) is one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Some consider the four-division champion the best lightweight who ever lived. However, he attained his greatest fame by becoming the first to defeat Sugar Ray Leonard and subsequent achievements.
He was one of the “Four Kings,” with Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, whose fights against one another are legendary.
Showtime announced that a documentary on Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Ray Leonard, “The Kings,” will premiere in June.
Those who witnessed it treasure the memories.
The “Four Kings” – Hall of Famers Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard – took part in a series of fights that thrilled fans worldwide and defined a generation of boxing.
And we’ll all have a chance to relive it in June. Showtime Sports Documentary Films has announced that “The Kings,” a four-part series chronicling the era, will premiere on June 6.
Here’s how the premium channel described the project in a news release:
“’The Kings’ spotlights boxing’s evolution from the end of Muhammad Ali’s era to the era of the Four Kings, set against the seismic political and socio-economic shifts taking place in the United States.
“The Four Kings rose to fame as the presidency of Jimmy Carter and economic recession gave way to the boon of 1980s capitalism and excess harnessed by the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
“Through in-depth interviews and archival footage, the series also examines the very personal battles that each man waged on his unique journey to the center of the sports world.”
Stephen Espinoza, president of Showtime Sports, said the series goes bell beyond the action in the ring.
“These four men defined an era in boxing,” he said. “Their individual stories, forever linked by the spectacular battles they waged, reflect a tumultuous period in American culture and history.
“’The Kings’ takes the viewer beyond the glorious action of some of history’s most memorable prizefights to illuminate each man’s dramatic journey and the societal context that made them stars of sports and popular culture.”
The news release went on:
“Following a brief fallow period in the wake of Ali’s retirement, boxing was revitalized when Leonard became a world champion in 1979 and waged his first battle with Duran in 1980. From that point, the Four Kings engaged in a decade-long run of riveting fights that far outperformed any other sport in attention and revenue. They were the most popular stars of sports and American culture.
“From 1979 through 1985, as a mark of their incredible achievements, the Boxing Writers Association of America bestowed these men the coveted title of “Fighter of the Year” annually with the lone exception of 1982 – with Leonard, Hagler and Hearns each winning twice.
“In the nine world title fights between them, there were four knockouts and three of the bouts were recognized by The Ring Magazine as “Fight of the Year.” The Ring magazine “Round of the Year” (and to many, the round of all time) from Round One of Hagler-Hearns is, perhaps, the most iconic single round of boxing of all time.
“Fittingly, ‘The Kings’ premieres in the 45th anniversary year of Leonard winning an Olympic gold medal and the 40th anniversary year of the welterweight world title unification battle between Leonard and Hearns, widely considered their greatest fight and a symbol of the era.”
Showtime announced that a documentary on Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Ray Leonard, “The Kings,” will premiere in June.
Those who witnessed it treasure the memories.
The “Four Kings” – Hall of Famers Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard – took part in a series of fights that thrilled fans worldwide and defined a generation of boxing.
And we’ll all have a chance to relive it in June. Showtime Sports Documentary Films has announced that “The Kings,” a four-part series chronicling the era, will premiere on June 6.
Here’s how the premium channel described the project in a news release:
“’The Kings’ spotlights boxing’s evolution from the end of Muhammad Ali’s era to the era of the Four Kings, set against the seismic political and socio-economic shifts taking place in the United States.
“The Four Kings rose to fame as the presidency of Jimmy Carter and economic recession gave way to the boon of 1980s capitalism and excess harnessed by the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
“Through in-depth interviews and archival footage, the series also examines the very personal battles that each man waged on his unique journey to the center of the sports world.”
Stephen Espinoza, president of Showtime Sports, said the series goes bell beyond the action in the ring.
“These four men defined an era in boxing,” he said. “Their individual stories, forever linked by the spectacular battles they waged, reflect a tumultuous period in American culture and history.
“’The Kings’ takes the viewer beyond the glorious action of some of history’s most memorable prizefights to illuminate each man’s dramatic journey and the societal context that made them stars of sports and popular culture.”
The news release went on:
“Following a brief fallow period in the wake of Ali’s retirement, boxing was revitalized when Leonard became a world champion in 1979 and waged his first battle with Duran in 1980. From that point, the Four Kings engaged in a decade-long run of riveting fights that far outperformed any other sport in attention and revenue. They were the most popular stars of sports and American culture.
“From 1979 through 1985, as a mark of their incredible achievements, the Boxing Writers Association of America bestowed these men the coveted title of “Fighter of the Year” annually with the lone exception of 1982 – with Leonard, Hagler and Hearns each winning twice.
“In the nine world title fights between them, there were four knockouts and three of the bouts were recognized by The Ring Magazine as “Fight of the Year.” The Ring magazine “Round of the Year” (and to many, the round of all time) from Round One of Hagler-Hearns is, perhaps, the most iconic single round of boxing of all time.
“Fittingly, ‘The Kings’ premieres in the 45th anniversary year of Leonard winning an Olympic gold medal and the 40th anniversary year of the welterweight world title unification battle between Leonard and Hearns, widely considered their greatest fight and a symbol of the era.”
Fact check: Marvin Hagler’s death was not caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.
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.
Fact check: Marvin Hagler’s death was not caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.
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.
The boxing world was stunned this past weekend by 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. …
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.
His third-round knockout of Thomas Hearns in 1985 was his signature performance and the frenetic fight is considered one of the greatest of all time.
Hagler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Fame in 1993.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss the legacy of “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler.
The boxing world was stunned this past weekend by 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. …
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.
His third-round knockout of Thomas Hearns in 1985 was his signature performance and the frenetic fight is considered one of the greatest of all time.
Hagler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Fame in 1993.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss the legacy of “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler.
Marvin Hagler, who died at 66 Saturday, will be remembered as one of the best boxers of all time.
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.
Marvin Hagler received a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Brockton, Mass., after defeating Alan Minter to win the middleweight title. AP Photo / McDonnell
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.
Marvin Hagler celebrated after destroying Thomas Hearns in their classic brawl. AP Photo
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.
Hagler always believed he deserved the decision over Sugar Ray Leonard. Mike Powell /Allsport
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.”
Marvin Hagler, who died at 66 Saturday, will be remembered as one of the best boxers of all time.
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.
Marvin Hagler received a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Brockton, Mass., after defeating Alan Minter to win the middleweight title. AP Photo / McDonnell
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.
Marvin Hagler celebrated after destroying Thomas Hearns in their classic brawl. AP Photo
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.
Hagler always believed he deserved the decision over Sugar Ray Leonard. Mike Powell /Allsport
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.”
