Marvin Hagler, the middleweight boxer, whose title and career ended with the loss of a split decision against “Sugar” Ray Leonard in 1987, passed away on Saturday. He was 66.
Woman Kay G. Hagler confirmed the death on Facebook on the verified Marvelous Marvin Hagler Fan Club page.
“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” she wrote. “Today, my beloved husband, Marvelous Marvin, passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Hagler was 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts from 1973 to 1987. He was the undisputed champion of middleweight from 1980 until his loss to Leonard at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 6, 1987.
The fierce left-hander scored two of his biggest wins at Caesars Palace, knocking out Roberto Duran in 1983 and Thomas Hearns in the third round in 1985.
“Marvelous Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest athletes to ever promote Top Rank,” said Bob Rank, chairman of Top Rank. “He was a man of honor 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.”
Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey, and moved with his family to Brockton, Massachusetts, in the late 1960s. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983.