Marvelous Marvin Hagler

It is hard to believe it has been 45 years this month since the late, great middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler successfully defended his WBA and WBC titles at home in The Boston Garden against rugged former champion, New York-based Italian slugger Vito Antuofermo.

The bout was a rematch as the two stocky warriors had fought in 1979, with Antuofermo keeping his titles with a questionable draw. 

After the draw, Hagler won 4 wins in 1980, with the last being a title-winning effort in England against British champion Alan Minter. For his winning efforts, the new champ was pelted with bottles from the UK fight fans. 

By the time of the rematch, Hagler, now the undisputed middleweight champion, was eager to leave no doubts with Vito, or the judges, as to who was

the boss. 

From the opening bell, Marvin took control with aggressive pressure, sharp combinations, and relentless punching. Antuofermo, as tough as they came, tried to fight back but quickly found himself overwhelmed by Hagler’s power and accuracy.

The fight was increasingly one-sided as Hagler repeatedly battered Antuofermo, opening cuts on the challenger’s face. Blood streamed from multiple wounds near the hairline and around the eye. Despite Antuofermo’s courage, the damage continued to mount. After four brutal rounds, Antuofermo’s corner decided enough was enough and stopped the fight.

Hagler had made his 2nd successful defense of his championship and established himself as the dominant force in the division. 

Over the next 6 years, Hagler would fight 11 times, making 10 defences of his straps before losing a controversial decision against “Sugar” Ray Leonard. After waiting more than a year for a rematch, with Leonard stalling him time and again, Hagler retired for good with his money and his faculties intact.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler, considered one of the all-time great middleweights, sadly passed 5 years ago at age 66. 

Gone but not forgotten – Rest in peace, champion.