By Ken Hissner: Early in his profession, when Marvelous Marvin Hagler got here to Philly, it was an expertise that groomed him to grow to be a world champion sooner or later.
In January of 1976, Hagler, 25-0-1, had his first bout in Philly, dropping to Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, 27-3-1, by a disputed majority resolution.
Two months later, Hagler returned to Philly, dropping to Willie “The Worm” Monroe, 32-3-1. I used to be there, and it appeared like Hagler’s nostril early was pink as a beat and probably broken.
Monroe’s earlier type was being a runner, however with new coach George Benton, he stood in entrance of Hagler, which most likely stunned Hagler.
Someday later, I noticed Monroe at a weigh-in with a forged on his hand. I heard he was going to Boston for a rematch with Hagler (6 months later). I informed him I didn’t suppose it was a good suggestion, and he disagreed, saying, “I beat him as soon as. I’ll do it once more!”
Within the meantime, Hagler got here again to Philly six months later, stopping Philly’s knockout artist Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, 30-6-1, stopping him in 8 rounds.
5 months later got here the rematch with Monroe in Boston in February of 1977 when Hagler stopped him within the twelfth and closing spherical for the vacant North American title. By this time, he knew what to anticipate style-wise from Monroe.
In August, that they had their third match again in Philly when Hagler stopped Monroe in two rounds. In August of 1978, Hagler returned to face Philly’s “Unhealthy” Bennie Briscoe, 60-16-5, profitable by resolution earlier than 14,930, an indoor document for a non-world championship battle in Pennsylvania historical past.
The fights in Philly ready him for a future world title battle that occurred in November of 1979 when he drew with champion Vito Antuofermo, 45-3-1.
5 months later, in April of 1980, Hagler had his rematch with Watts, stopping him in two rounds in Portland, Maine. In September of 1980, he obtained his second title likelihood in London with the conqueror of Antuofermo Alan Minter, 38-6, stopping him for the world title.
In Hagler’s second protection in a rematch with Antuofermo in Boston, he stopped him in 4 rounds. In November of 1983, he defeated Roberto “Palms of Stone” Duran 77-4.
In April of 1985, Hagler stopped Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, 40-1, in three rounds voted Ring Journal’s battle of the yr. I met him on the airport in Philly when he was on tour for the battle. In March of 1986, in a conflict, he stopped No. 1 ranked John Mugabi, 25-0, in eleven rounds in his twelfth protection.
In April of 1987, Hagler had his career-ending battle with former world champion “Sugar” Ray Leonard, 33-1, who was solely having his first battle in three years, having had eye surgical procedure in Could of 1982 for a indifferent retina.
Hagler misplaced by break up resolution. Ring Journal gave it the battle of the yr and upset of the yr. Most followers felt Hagler gained, however I wasn’t one in every of them. It was a defeat that drove Hagler into retirement and off to Italy for an performing profession.
One of many issues I admired about Hagler was he was one of many few boxers who by no means modified supervisor or trainers in Goody and Pat Petronelli.
