Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Middleweight Champion of the 1980s, Dies at 66
One of the most formidable boxers of his era, Hagler defended his title 12 times before losing to Sugar Ray Leonard in a 1987 split decision.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler, left, in the last fight of his career, which he lost to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987.Credit.Lennox Mclendon/Associated Press
Published March 13, 2021Updated March 17, 2021
Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who became one of boxing’s greatest middleweight champions, wielding awesome punching power while shrugging off opponents’ blows, died on Saturday in New Hampshire. He was 66 and lived in Bartlett, N.H.
Hagler’s wife, Kay, announced on his fan club’s Facebook page that he had died “unexpectedly” at their home, but did not provide details.
Follwing his passing, Marvin Hagler fans are wondering what his net worth was. The former undisputed middleweight world champion died on March 14th, 2021.
Eight Minutes Of Fury
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There was a strong wind blowing through Las Vegas Monday night, but it could not sweep away the smell of raw violence as Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns hammered at each other with a fury that spent itself only after Hearns had been saved by the protecting arms of referee Richard Steele. The fight in a ring set up on the tennis courts at Caesars Palace lasted only a second longer than eight minutes, but for those who saw it, the memory of its nonstop savagery will remain forever.
Hagler s undisputed middleweight championship was at stake, and for the first time since he won it from Alan Minter in 1980, people had been questioning his ability to retain it. In the weeks leading up to the fight, Hagler fumed as the odds tilted back and forth before settling on the champion by the narrowest of margins. Hagler s pride was sorely stung, and a deep burning anger wrote his battle plan.
Their meeting was marketed simply by the promoter Bob Arum as The Fight, though this astonishing contest became known as The War in the years thereafter. With both men casting caution to the wind, the normally slow-starting Hagler elected to meet the big-punching “Hitman” Hearns head-on in an opening round of frightening ferocity.
Both men were landing huge punches, but when Hagler sustained a deep cut on his forehead in the third round it was clear the contest could not conceivably last the full 15 rounds. As blood gushed into Hagler’s eyes, the referee Richard Steele was forced to call the ringside doctor to examine the wound. When asked if he could see, Hagler replied: “I ain’t missing him, am I?” and this has become one of the great quotes of boxing folklore.