Iconic middleweight champion Marvin Hagler took things into his own hands late into his decorated run in the division, going beyond the norm to prove a point to the boxing world.
Four fights deep into his heralded middleweight championship tear, the late Marvelous Marvin Hagler continued to show off his lethal finishing in the ring during his early title run.
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But boasting a nickname of ‘The Marv’ — Hagler had taken issue with some rather disrespectful practice from network commentators and announcers during his time in the ring, in his opinion.
And taking matters into his hands — devastating hands, indeed, Hagler took the chance to force the issue with an iconic decision.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler forced name change to spurn commentators
Fresh from his first of two memorable knockout wins over Mustafa Hamsho, Hagler, still utilizing the nickname of ‘The Marv’ — much to his dislike — went on the offensive to force a definitive change to his name.
Fighting twice in 1982, Hagler would now go by the name of Marvelous Marvin Hagler — legally, changing his name officially that same year, bringing in a seemingly new era of stardom for the New Jersey megastar in the process.
And ushering in his new era atop the middleweight limit soon thereafter, Hagler would scoop the inaugural IBF divisional belt, too, stopping Wilford Scypion with a thunderous fourth round KO win.
Riding a missile to the very top of the sport, with the biggest fight of his career approaching, Hagler would bow out of the sport in controversial circumstances right after that clash.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s controversial retirement
After his knockout win over Scypion to win the first IBF middleweight crown, Hagler would match up with his fellow Four Kings member for the first time.
Defending his undisputed crown once again, Hagler was taken the distance for the first time in that run by the iconic Roberto Duran in a 12-round unanimous decision victory.
Matched soon thereafter against another member in the form of iconic light middleweight star Thomas Hearns. And stopping ‘The Motor City Cobra’ with another hellacious finish in just three rounds, Hagler was approaching his final stablemate.
Booked a super showdown with Sugar Ray Leonard after his infamous knockout win over the unbeaten Ugandan berserker John Mugabi, Hagler’s career would end in the most controversial of circumstances.
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Dropping a wholly dubious decision loss to Leonard, Hagler spoke of his disdain for the manner in which the sport of boxing was moving — suggesting it had taken a political and business approach rather than the merit of sport.
“I left the sport because it wasn’t about boxing anymore; it was about politics, about money,” Hagler said.
“My last fight with Leonard, was the moment I knew it was time to go. I wanted to be remembered for my fights, not for the business of boxing.”