This is My List of the Top 5 Knockouts of Marvin Hagler.
- Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns. April 15, 1985. Caesar’s Palace; Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagler vs. Hearns was seen as ‘The War’ in Hagler’s eyes, and a chance to prove to the world that he was the number one man in boxing, with Ray Leonard now supposedly retired for good. Marvin swarmed Tommy from the opening bell, and despite getting nailed and stunned by a beautiful Hearns’ right hand, walked right through it. Round one of their brawl, is no doubt regarded to this day as one of the greatest rounds in boxing history. By the third round, Hagler hurt a tiring Hearns, and knocked him down and out for the count. Hagler was now the face of boxing, and enjoyed it to the hilt.
- Marvin Hagler vs. John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi. March 10, 1986. Caesar’s Palace; Las Vegas, Nevada. After his destruction of Tommy Hearns, Marvin took on the challenge of super-welterweight champ John Mugabi. I watched the bout from the Spectrum in South Philadelphia, and saw Hagler wear down a tough Mugabi, who nailed Marvin with more solid punches than anyone had in his entire career. In the 11th, a worn-out Mugabi wilted under the pressure, and fell to the canvas. Marvin said Mugabi was the toughest opponent of his career, and the win solidified Hagler as the ‘Pound for Pound’ best boxer on the planet.
- Marvin Hagler vs. Juan Roldan. March 30, 1984. Riviera Hotel and Casino; Las Vegas, Nevada. Marvin Hagler wore down the rough bruiser Roldan, and by the mid-point of the bout, took over. Finally in the 10th round, Marvin finished him off, and moved himself closer to a shot with the come-backing Sugar Ray Leonard. When Leonard announced his retirement after a lackluster performance against Kevin Howard in May, Marvin set his sights on the ‘Hit Man’, and finally got him into the ring in April of 1985.
- Marvin Hagler vs. Mustafa Hamsho 2. October 19, 1984. Madison Square Garden. New York, New York. In a mandatory title defense, Marvin totally destroyed Mustafa Hamsho, who he had beaten in 11 rounds in October of 1981. This was totally different, with Hagler easily knocking him down and out in the 3rd round. It set up a spring of 1985 mega-bout vs. Thomas Hearns, a fight the boxing game needed desperately.
- Marvin Hagler vs. Alan Minter. September 27, 1980. Wembley Arena; London, England. After being held to a controversial draw with champion Vito Antuofermo on November 30, 1979, Marvin got his revenge against the new champ Alan Minter. Hagler cut him to pieces, and battered him throughout the first 3 rounds, before the referee called an end to the massacre. Finally Marvin was the Middleweight Champion of the World, and in one of the most pathetic displays of fan behavior, was pelted with beer bottles and cans in ring center, and had to be rushed to safety. Despite the fan foolishness, Marvin had his belt, and went home to Brockton on top of the world.
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
