Marvin hagler vs Sugar Ray Leonard.Who won??

Means Of Escape

One of the most controversial fights in boxing history.
I felt Hagler beat Leonard and that Leonards showboating and the fact that Vegas loved him saw him through.
Your thoughts?

themandan6611

hagler

walshb

I had Hagler by 7-5 rds; 115-113. You could argue that many, if not all of the rds, for either fighter. What I never understood was folks claiming as if fact, that Ray won the first 4 rds? Now, I am not completely sure, but I do believe all three judges did score the rds for Ray. IMO, those 4 rds weren't clear for Ray or Marvin. One could easily score the rds for Marvin, a share for Marvin, or a share for Ray.

Another view I have is that many were simply so shocked that Ray was making the fight competitive, that their senses sorta' tricked them a little.
They were desperate to give him rounds. 60 from 67 journalists covering the bout at the time in Las Vegas had Hagler to win.

Marvin was the champ and the aggressor in there. As for scoring shots, it was very close, but facts are that Hagler was the pressure fighter. Gets the nod for me.

One judge had it 118-110. Scoring wise this is so clear, but again, one couldn't argue that score in Hagler's favor too. Rds were tat closes, and difficult to score.

Means Of Escape

Well put
it was up to Leonard to TAKE the title and he did not do enough
He was the peoples favourite, kept retreating he probably knew he was losing and had an OJ moment when he was declared winner
Is it any wonder Hagler retired
alot of money lost on a rematch
fair play to him it wasn't about the money
Legend of boxing

sweetswing

Never saw a man so happy to hear the last bell, look at Leonards face when the bell sounds.
For me Marvin won .
Although Leonard was amazing for making the fight competitive, as some one else said he was the darling of boxing and got the nod because of it .
Hagler quit and never fought again:(

section4

i would not call it one of the most controvesial fights in boxing history

leonard did enough to win the fight, maybe not clearly but he did neough to win it

hagler had the whole fight to get him out of there, he ws not able to do it

hegler was a naturaly the heavier man which was an advantage, becasue if they were noth the same natural weight leonard would not be running from him

leonard was returning after an eye injury and a long layoff, not an easy thing to do

leonard was moving up in weight

a lot of people seem to have a problem accepting the result but while hagler was a very good middleweight he was not as good a fighter as leonard and i think thats where the problem lies, people dont like to accept that leonard pound for pound was much the better fighter

Hagler had all the advantages and he could not do it.

walshb

section4 wrote: »

i would not call it one of the most controvesial fights in boxing history

leonard did enough to win the fight, maybe not clearly but he did neough to win it

hagler had the whole fight to get him out of there, he ws not able to do it

hegler was a naturaly the heavier man which was an advantage, becasue if they were noth the same natural weight leonard would not be running from him

leonard was returning after an eye injury and a long layoff, not an easy thing to do

leonard was moving up in weight

a lot of people seem to have a problem accepting the result but while hagler was a very good middleweight he was not as good a fighter as leonard and i think thats where the problem lies, people dont like to accept that leonard pound for pound was much the better fighter

Hagler had all the advantages and he could not do it.

I agree with a lot here. Hagler waas supposedly the man, the natural middle, the more active fighter, the beast. Now, as great as Ray was at 147, he never proved himself above 154, and he was inactive for over three years too. Leonard's feet were the key to his success in the fight. Still, rds scoring I could only give him 5 rds. I gave Marvin 7. But, to reiterate, rds were very much down to interpretation, very close and difficult to score.

eagle eye

I agree it was awfully close. I had Ray ahead by one round but wasn't sure at all.

Means Of Escape

eagle eye wrote: »

I agree it was awfully close. I had Ray ahead by one round but wasn't sure at all.

Only at least a TKO should have been accepted to take Haglers title

whaaames

Hagler, no question about it...

He chased, pursued and consistently took the fight to ray who dodged and stole rounds more so than won them... Also ya have to go and beat the champ, not just match him, which in my eyes is all ray did...

The judges and the public at the time were hoodwinked into believing ray had won when a proper look back shows clearly that Marvin done all the chasing and fighting..

walshb

whaaames wrote: »

Hagler, no question about it...

He chased, pursued and consistently took the fight to ray who dodged and stole rounds more so than won them... Also ya have to go and beat the champ, not just match him, which in my eyes is all ray did...

The judges and the public at the time were hoodwinked into believing ray had won when a proper look back shows clearly that Marvin done all the chasing and fighting..

I agree. I was going to mention the "stealing" of rds. Ray posed a lot and showed flashy brilliance that got the crowd roaring. Like it or not, this "can" influence a judge. Ray alos flurried hard towards the end of most rds which sticks in a judges mind. Marvin IMO won most of each rd. Say 2 mins, Ray won one minute, but that 1 minute combined witht the crowd, the flurry and the fact that it was at the end of the round (which the judges most likely remember better).

sweetswing

walshb wrote: »

I agree. I was going to mention the "stealing" of rds. Ray posed a lot and showed flashy brilliance that got the crowd roaring. Like it or not, this "can" influence a judge. Ray alos flurried hard towards the end of most rds which sticks in a judges mind. Marvin IMO won most of each rd. Say 2 mins, Ray won one minute, but that 1 minute combined witht the crowd, the flurry and the fact that it was at the end of the round (which the judges most likely remember better).

Very well said ! I just watched that fight again , this time I watched it without the sound (a bit much I know) this takes the commentators and the crowd out of the equation .
Haggler all the way , Leonard robbed him .
When I watched this fight live all those years ago I gave Leonard the win ,a close fight, I was fooled by his flurries and showboating, the crowd played an enormous role in this fight, they were histerical for everything Leonard done, this I believe influenced the judges.