Former boxing champion ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler dies at 66

Former boxing champion ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler dies at 66

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“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” his wife posted on Facebook. “Today my beloved husband, Marvelous Marvin, sadly passed away at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family asks that we respect our privacy during this difficult time. With love.”

Hagler became the undisputed middleweight champion in 1980. He defended his title in 1985 against Tommy Hearns in a brutal three-round fight called ‘The War’.

After twelve successful title defenses, the boxing icon’s career and reign as champion ended in 1987 in a controversial twelve-decisive loss against ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard. He announces his official retirement next year and moves to Italy, where he becomes an actor in action films.

During his professional boxing career, Hagler scored 62 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws, with 52 wins by knockout. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

Many in the boxing community mourn the loss of Hagler, with reverence for the man who dominated the middleweight division for nearly a decade.

Former boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya said, “Sad to hear about the death of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. One of the greatest to ever enter the ring!”
Boxing promoter Bob Arum said of Hagler, “He was an honorable man and a man of his word, and he acted with unparalleled determination in the ring. He was a true athlete and a true man. I will miss him very much.”

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