‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler was a prominent figure throughout one of boxing’s greatest ever eras.
Hagler reigned as the undisputed world middleweight champion for seven years between 1980 and 1987, making 12 successful defences of his crown during this period.
He racked up victories over the likes of John Mugabi, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns during his reign as middleweight champion, defeating all but one of his opponents via stoppage.
Hagler became a member of the iconic ‘Four Kings’ during the peak of his glittering career, alongside Sugar Ray Leonard, Hearns and Duran, facing each of this legendary trio on one occasion before the end of his tenure.
He was dethroned of his undisputed middleweight championship by fellow countryman Leonard at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in April of 1987, suffering a split decision defeat in what would prove to be the final ring appearance of his career.
In a round of ‘Best I Faced’ with The Ring Magazine, Hagler didn’t hesitate to reveal Panamanian boxing icon Duran as the greatest fighter that he ever shared the ring with.
“He caught me for three rounds at the start of the fight, which I didn’t understand. I would still say Roberto Duran [is the most skillful]. I loved that fight the most because between the both of us it brought out our skill. I would say Roberto Duran was [the best overall]. He was very experienced.”
Duran, known as ‘Hands of Stone’ is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. He fought on no less than 119 occasions throughout the course of his 33-year career which spanned across five decades between 1968 and 2001.
He became a five-division world champion along the way, as well as reigning as the undisputed lightweight champion for a period of time in the late 1970s after he defeated Esteban de Jesus.
