Before retiring in 1997, Sugar Ray Leonard stepped in the ring with the greatest fighters of his generation.
With a final record of 36-3-1, Leonard boasts wins over the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Wilfred Benitez to make him one of boxing’s greatest ever fighters.
Picking up his first world title in 1979, Leonard defeated Benitez via stoppage. ‘Sugar’ would then go on to win belts in four weight divisions, cementing his legacy in the sport.
However, one of the biggest tests of his career came when he faced Marvin Hagler in 1987, six years after Leonard’s epic fight with Hearns.
- READ MORE: Sugar Ray Leonard reveals tactical reason he wanted Roberto Duran rematch as soon as he could
Sugar Ray Leonard took on Marvin Hagler in 1987
In April of 1987, Leonard would face Hagler (62-2-2) in Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas for the Ring Magazine and WBC World Middleweight titles.
The bout was advertised as a super fight, as Leonard was coming back to the ring after almost three years off. ‘Sugar’ announced his retirement following his bout against Kevin Howard in 1984, but returned to face Hagler.
The defending champion Hagler had earned an 11th-round knockout over John Mugabi in his previous outing, a year prior to his meeting with Leonard.
However, despite Leonard returning to the ring after a lengthy absence, he would be the victor of the fight.
Winning the bout via split decision, the result was considered a controversial one, as many thought that Hagler was the rightful winner of the bout.
The final judges’ scorecards were 115-113, 110-118, and 113-115.
Despite the bout being so close, and shrouded in controversy, the two boxing legends would never rematch.
Bob Arum explains why Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler did not rematch
Boxing promoter Bob Arum has explained why a rematch between Leonard and Hagler never came to fruition.
Speaking to DAZN, Arum stated that there was some complications in getting their first bout set up, due to desires from Hagler to retire. “At first, Marvin wanted absolutely nothing to do with fighting Leonard or anyone else.”
However, Arum explained Hagler was eventually convinced to accept the fight with Leonard.
In terms of a rematch between the two after the split decision, Arum said that he was told by Hagler that the fighter had his ‘fill of boxing’ after the loss.
Leonard was eager for the rematch, even saying to Arum to convince Hagler to agree to a second fight. However, the Top Rank CEO said when he asked Hagler about the sequel bout, the boxer replied by saying, “Bob, tell Ray to get a life.”
Arum explained that Hagler had been passive with his spending habits in the past, meaning that the financial gain of the rematch was not necessarily one that appealed to him.
The Leonard fight would be Hagler’s last, as he retired at the age of 32, with his career spanning 14 years.