This is the next in my blog series ‘Mythical Matchups’. The bout is between Marvin Hagler and Carlos Monzon. My imaginary bouts all take place at Caesar’s Palace Outdoor Arena, with the great Mills Lane as the referee.
Marvin Hagler was born on May 23, 1954 in Newark, New Jersey. His family later moved to Brockton, Massachusetts and it’s where he started his amateur boxing career. He finished with a record of 55-1, before turning professional and having his first fight on May 18, 1973 against Terry Ryan in Brockton. Marvin toiled as a construction worker while he fought, and finally captured the middleweight title on September 27, 1980 with a three round destruction of Alan Minter. He would hold the title until 1987, when he lost a close decision to Sugar Ray Leonard, and never fought again.
In the ring, Marvin could box, punch and was a tremendous finisher. He also may have had the greatest chin in boxing history, and his stamina was second to none.
Carlos Monzon was born on August 7, 1942 in San Javier, Argentina. He began his boxing career in 1959, and had an amateur record of 73-6-8. He had his first professional bout on February 6, 1963 and won with a 2nd round knockout. He won the middleweight title from Nino Benvenuti, and beat him in their rematch as well. He defended his title a record 14 times, before retiring with a record of 87-3-9, with 59 knockouts.
Carlos was known for his tremendous overhand right, but could also box as well. He was a tough, had a great boxing IQ, and is one of the all-time great middleweights.
The problem for Monzon is, he couldn’t have beaten Marvin Hagler. Despite the fact that Carlos was 6′ 2″ tall, Hagler would have worked his body with relentless pressure. Monzon was good, but Hagler was better. Marvin by an 11th round TKO.
It being my blog, it’s my opinion, and if others disagree, it’s fine by me. The fact remains that both hall of fame boxers would have given their all if they had met, and left everything they had in the ring.
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