The Late Great ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler dominated the middleweight division from 1980 to 1987. He was one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of that era. While Hagler dominated the middleweight division, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard dominated the welterweight division from 1979 to 1982. During that time, Leonard already had signature wins over the ‘Hands of Stone’ Roberto Duran and Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns.
In 1982, Leonard announced his retirement but later returned to the ring to fight Kevin Howard in May of 1984. After an unimpressive performance, Leonard decided to retire again. Meanwhile, Hearns excelled as he continued his reign over the middleweight division. He also would have a signature win over Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns in a fight that the boxing world considers the best three rounds in boxing history.
In 1987, Leonard decided to come out of retirement again, but this time, he surprisingly wanted to fight the most dominant fighter of the 1980s, ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler. On that fateful night of April 6, 1987, Leonard and Hagler put on a fight for the ages. When the dust settled, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard was awarded the 12th round split-decision victory to capture Hagler’s WBC and RING middleweight titles.
The decision bothered Hagler so bad he never put on another pair of boxing gloves. He retired on the spot and never fought again. Leonard vs. Hagler is one of those fights where you can argue that Leonard won that fight. You can equally argue the fact that Hagler won that fight. That was how competitive and close that fight was.
Boxing World, who did you have winning the April 6, 1987, Leonard vs. Hagler WBC and RING middleweight title fight? Leonard or Hagler? Check out Potshot Boxing’s (PSB) latest boxing poll and vote!
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I was there. Talked about the decision with Marvin Hagler on two different continents. I felt Ray won 7-5.
Yes indeed Pedro. It was a very close fight. That fight could have gone either way. Thank you so much for sharing!
Marvin Hagler thought it was a fight. Sugar Ray KNEW it was a show.
I hear you Benjamin! Thank you so much for sharing!