‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler is one of the most popular boxers of all time thanks to his exciting style and huge career moments.
Considered to be one of the ‘Four Kings’, Hagler is a former unified middleweight world champion, and was only bested three times in his career.
Retiring after a meeting with ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard in 1987, a final career tally of 62-3-2 would show how successful Hagler was.
In one of his most impressive performances, he was able to get the better of rival Thomas Hearns. However, to set up the bout, Hagler had to have a brutal outing.
Marvin Hagler stopped Mustafa Hamsho in round three in 1984
As Hagler became a world champion in 1980, he did not drop his world titles until seven years later.
For his third title defense, Hagler would face Syrian fighter Mustafa Hamsho in Illinois in October 1981. Despite a hearty performance for the challenger, he would be stopped in the 11th round of the fight.
This would not be the end of their rivalry, however. In 1984, Hamsho would get another chance to dethrone Hagler.
Winning six fights in a row following the loss, which included a victory over the youngest-ever champion Wilfred Benitez, Hamsho would face Hagler again.
The bout would take place in New York in October 1984. However, Hamsho would not have much more success in their second meeting.
Putting Hamsho down with a right hand at the halfway point of the third round, this would be the beginning of the end. As Hagler continued to pile the pressure on his opponent, the challenger’s corner would eventually call off the fight.
A lead hook from Hagler put Hamsho down for a second time, with the fighter not returning to the bout.
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Marvin Hagler faced Thomas Hearns in April 1985
Following his second win over Hamsho, Hagler would be challenged by Thomas Hearns in April 1985.
The fight would take place in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, as Hearns had stopped Roberto Duran less than a year before the fight.
Hagler’s WBA, WBC, and IBF World Middleweight titles were on the line. However, he would be successful in attempting to defend them.
With a wild start to the fight, Hagler and Hearns are considered to have had one of the greatest opening rounds to a bout in boxing history. However, the fight would last just three rounds, as Hagler was able to stop the title challenger.