Yes, no, maybe so? This is one of those questions with a subjective answer, but whether or not the late Marvin Hagler is one of the all-time boxing greats is indisputable. Hagler was an American middleweight boxer who fought from 1973 to 1987 and still holds the highest knockout percentage of middleweight champions at 78 percent.
He held the title for six years and seven months, from 1980 to 1987, and made 12 successful title defenses. Hagler had the second-longest unified championship reign behind only Tony Zale, whose career included several years away from the ring when he was deployed during World War II.
Hagler’s claims to fame are substantial. His name is found in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as on many historic lists of top boxers. Some magazines, including Boxing Illustrated and the Boxing Writers Association of America, rated him No. 1.
Others disagreed. While rankings often include Marvin Hagler among the all-time top 10 boxers, names like Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis often top the list. Many experts, however, agree that Hagler had one of the most impressive chins. He was dropped only once in his entire professional career, despite taking hits from some of the hardest hitters of the 1980s.
Yes, you read that right. Hagler was knocked down only once in 67 professional fights, by Juan Roldan, and it was questionable. Hagler finished his career with a record of 62-3-2, with 52 wins by knockout.
He was so proud of his abilities that he decided to go by his nickname "Marvelous" for good, legally changing his name to "Marvelous Marvin Hagler."
The marvelous fighter passed away on March 13, 2021, at the age of 66. While the internet was abuzz with rumors that he died of complications tied to the COVID-19 vaccine, his wife and estate refuted the claims, stating that he died of natural causes. At his time of death, he had a net worth of $40 million.
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