Hagler, Marvin (1954-2021), an American boxer , ranks among the greatest middleweight champions in boxing history. Hagler held the middleweight title from 1980 to 1987. He successfully defended his championship against such outstanding fighters as Roberto Duran of Panama, John Mugabi of Uganda, and Thomas Hearns of the United States. Hagler won 11 of his 12 title defenses by a knockout or technical knockout. He was known both for his ferocious punching and for his defense. Hagler fought 67 professional bouts, winning 62, drawing 2, and losing only 3. Of his 62 victories, 52 came by a knockout or technical knockout.
Hagler was born on May 23, 1954, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he first learned to box. Hagler was an outstanding amateur boxer as a teenager, winning the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) middleweight championship in 1973. Hagler then turned professional. He fought middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo for the title in 1979. The fight was called a draw, allowing Antuofermo to keep the title. Hagler won the title in 1980 by defeating champion Alan Minter. He legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1984. In 1987, Hagler lost the WBC middleweight title to Sugar Ray Leonard in a split decision. He then retired from boxing. Hagler died on March 13, 2021.
