BEVERLY HILLS, March 14, (THEWILL) – American boxing legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the undisputed middleweight champion for a seven-year period from 1980 to 1987 has died. The icon of the boxing ring, with 52 knockouts of a sterling career, died on Saturday as announced by his wife, Kay G. Hagler via her Facebook account.
“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. With love,” she posted.
It is as yet uncertain what the cause of his death was as she preferred not to disclose it in her social media post.
One of the greatest boxers of all time in the Middleweight division, Hagler finished his boxing career with a record 62 victories, three draws and only two defeats. His career was remarkable for his constant battles with some of the sports greatest fighters like Roberto Duran, the Panamanian former professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 2001. Duran held world championships in four weight classes: Middleweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Light middleweight and Light welterweight
Hagler also had to regularly engage in fisticuffs with the famous Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns the American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006 and become the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.
Hagler’s other common boxing foe was Ray “Sugar Ray” Charles Leonard, one of the greatest boxers of all time, who competed from 1977 to 1997 and won world titles in five weight divisions; the lineal championship in three weight divisions as well as the undisputed welterweight title.
Together with Hagler, these boxers, Sugar Ray Hearns and Duran, who all fought each other several times throughout the 1980s, constituted the quartet known famously as “The Fabulous Four”.
In fact, Hagler’s swansong was against Sugar Ray in their 1987 bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In the end, Hagler lost his WBC and The Ring middleweight titles to Ray via a split decision from the judges, which became one of the most-debated decisions in the sport’s history. Reactions were split as writers from various publications scored the fight in favor of Hagler despite the scorecards of the judges.
Since the death of this boxing icon hit the airwaves, tributes have been pouring in online through various social media platforms. Most boxing fans who knew of his legend felt the loss of his passing more deeply and made this known with touching messages shared online and some of his boxing colleagues did same in his honour.
Hagler, the New Jersey southpaw, who earned legendary status in his lifetime was entered into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. Ring Magazine had previously ranked him the all-time fourth-best middleweight.
In retirement, he starred in the movies “Indio” and “Indio 2” as well as “Virtual Weapon”. Hagler also provided boxing commentary for British television. Another foray into the entertainment field included work in the video game Fight Night: Round 3.
Hagler had five children and married his second wife, Kay, in 2000. He was 66.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
