Revisiting Leonard-Hagler for the ump-teenth time.?

Question

Was talking to a boxing fan today, a young pup who wasn't around for Leonard Hagler. Was interesting how he had no opinion on what was really the last true "Superfight". So Im curious as to what younger fight fans, who weren't into boxing at the time, think of this fight. And I'm also curious to see if older fight fans thoughts and opinions of this fight have changed with time. One thing that impresses me more now than it did then was just how much physical talent and skill and determination was displayed in the ring that night. I think I took it for granted that 2 supertalented fighters would get into the ring and put forth maximum effort. It wasn't a brutal fight, but 2 fighters as supremely skilled could only have a close, hard fought fight. A great one for the boxing purists.

Answer 1

I agree with your observation of the fight. The result of this fight will always be disputed. Leonard connected with more punches but Hagler landed with solid and heavier blows. The question here is, being the challenger, had Leonard done enough to win? I've always thought he did. Aside from landing more punches, Leonard was a lot busier than Hagler. He displayed great ring generalship and was in total control. Hagler hit him with hard shots but never once in the fight did Leonard get into trouble. He outhustled and outmaneuvered Hagler, using the whole ring to his advantage. Most of all, Leonard's speed and quickness exposed Hagler as the latter missed a lot. It was like Clay-Liston I, where the stronger and more powerful Liston couldn't touch The Greatest. Some people including Hagler said Leonard came to run not to fight. Well, boxing is sweet science and, like Ali, Leonard was a master-boxer who used his remarkable skill, dazzling speed and superb boxing IQ to succeed.

Answer 2

I am a huge Hagler fan, but I have to admit that was a close fight. It seems every time I watch it I come out with a different winner, had the fight happened two years prior I'm pretty sure Hagler would have stopped him. I also don't think that Leonard could have handled the Hagler that fought Hearns. The Mugabi fight took alot out of Hagler and honestly I think if Hagler would have trully belived that he could have won the rematch, he would not have retired, he knew his time was up, You have to give Leonard credit though he was in fantastic shape and his hand speed and timing were unbelivable for a guy that haden't fought in that long, one of the greatest comebacks of all time. All in all a great fight, a true classic

Answer 3

I was 9yrs old when this fight happened.

I have this fight in my personal collection and I watch it all the time. The outcome really depends on what style you favor in a fight. If you favor the aggressor and the person who is forcing the fight then you pick Hagler. If you are influenced by flash and pitty pat punches then you take Ray.

I have no personal allegiance to either fighter since they were not in my ERA. I favor the aggressor in fights and i thought Hagler deserved the decision. I thought Ray ran far to much in the fight. You are supposed to beat the champ and he clearly did not do that.

I think that Ray ran "way more" than what people say Mayweather did against Delahoya.

I will add that Hagler should have never agreed to all of Ray's terms in the fight i.e. Gloves & Ring Size.

Answer 4

The outcome was definitely a "Vegas decision" for Leonard. I've never been a big Leonard fan, while, at the same time, I've always had great admiration for Hagler.

Having said that, Hagler has no one to blame for that horrendously unjust decision but himself. After having been robbed in a similiar fashion a few years earlier in his title shot against Vito Antifeurmo (spelling) Hagler had vowed to never leave his fate in the hand of the judges again. He did just that in the Leonard fight and got screwed once again.

He should have climbed all over Leonard from the opening bell, cut the ring off, attacked Leonard's body relentlessly, wore him down and knocked him out. He failed to do that and paid the price. I know this is easier said than done, but I believe Hagler could have and should have gone all out to do just that.

The outcome of that fight still sticks pisses me off to this day.

Answer 5

Hagler won the fight. Mayweather, er, Leonard ran way too much to take the title away from a great champ like Hagler. Those last 20 seconds of the round pitty-pat flurries did nothing. Let me tell you this though. I bet on Leonard even though I wanted Marvin because I grew up watching Ali lose so many times and still get the decision because he was 'the money man'. Leonard was Ali's heir apparent as 'the money man'. I knew that crooked Don King wasn't bringing him out of retirement to lose. I knew that all Leonard needed to do was remain standing and he would win. I needed the cash. I am damn proud that Marvin Hagler walked away from the sport in protest of the system. I do agree with the above: John 'The Beast' Mugabi took a lot out of Hagler! That was the fight that Hagler/Leonard should have been.

Answer 6

The Leonard-Hagler fight was classic. No disrespect to Hagler because he is one of the greatest middleweights ever but Leonard made that fight. His style to jab hit move & not be hit. Hagler had his opportunities to corner Leonard & let loose with his punches & I didn't feel as if he did that. I agreed with the outcome of the fight & was suprised there wasn't a rematch. Also I give credit to Hagler when he said he was retired after that fight because he's one of the only fighters you never saw getting the crap beat out of him 5 -10 years past his prime.

Answer 7

I watched Hagler/Leonard when it happened, and probably a couple dozen times since. I was as disgusted with Ray in that fight as I was in him in the "No Mas" fight with Duran, and equally disgusted with the decision. Duran said "No Mas" out of contempt for Ray's cowardice not out of any frustration, Roberto was showing his own disgust at Ray's choice to run instead of fight. I have never agreed with the decision, I think Ray Leonard lost to both Hagler and Hearns the second time they fought and got two of the luckiest breaks in boxing when the judges robbed Marvin and Tommy. Still, Ray Leonard earned my respect in the first Hearns fight, and I acknowledge a master boxer, I don't have to like the style to acknowledge it's effectiveness. I didn't like it when Michael Nunn did it, I didn't enjoy Mayweather running and flicking a jab at DeLa Hoya, and I most certainly didn't like it when Ray Leonard did it to Hagler and Duran

I do agree with you about the quality of talent seeming to be greater back then that in today's boxers. It would be hard to find any of today's fighters that could have handled guys like Camacho, Benitez , Curry or Mugambi (the B group back then) let alone the likes of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns or Duran.

Answer 8

I watched that fight when it happened. And I have watched it several times later. I am disgusted at the judging of that fight. I believe Hagler won. No doubt! As far as a modern time super-fight. Who can forget Diego Corrales vs Jose Luis Castillo. Their first one. Now that was a damn good fight. And I wish the Corrales family my deepest condolences. R.I.P Diego. Us true boxing fans, will miss you.

Answer 9

i watched that fight later in life i was only 9 when the fight happend so i sad to say was more about running round and gi joes then about boxing but later in life i became a huge boxing fan and watched this fight. i enjoy watching someone use movement and the ability to evade and counterpunch but i can't stand running and pot shotting and thats all i seen in this fight and in the duran fight. ( off subject remark anyone see roberto lately wtf happened to him) just remakable how much you can accomplish just by being more popular then your opponent. aside from the corrales vs castillo fight i can't really think of a war like that in recent years. the morales vs barrera fueds were great and the ward vs gatti fights were great as well but they lacked the extra special something that those two had.

Answer 10

i watched that fight when it happened in 1987 and i have watched it several times since, and i still do not see how they gave that fight to leonard