What made Hagler great?
Tim Graham, senior writer: Hagler was the embodiment of badassery, the intimidating countenance, the willingness to travel to his opponent’s hometown to fight, the relentlessness of his heavy fists.
Hagler crawled up through the ranks, overcoming two losses early in his career to finally get his shot at Vito Antuofermo’s WBC title. They fought to a draw, but Hagler eventually took the WBC and WBA belts from Alan Minter and embarked on a dominant reign that included victories over Antuofermo and Roberto Duran and the jaw-dropping, three-round fever dream against Thomas Hearns. Even in defeat, Hagler stood tall. His career ended with the hotly debated split-decision loss to Ray Leonard.
Normally in boxing, this would lead to a hyped trilogy, maybe with each figure coming out of retirement once or twice. Hagler declined to chase another boffo payday and never fought again, happy to let his reputation speak for eternity.
What’s his boxing legacy?
Mike Coppinger, boxing insider: Hagler is regarded as the greatest middleweight of all time, a ferocious puncher with an imposing physique and an iron will to match. As great as his boxing skills were, his enduring legacy will be the epic war he waged with Hearns in 1985, widely considered one of the greatest fights in history. He also scored a victory over Duran; one of his only losses came to Leonard in a fight many felt Hagler won.
(Photo: Focus on Sport / Getty Images)
