Boxing legend ‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler dies aged 66

American boxing legend Marvin Hagler, the undisputed world middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987, has died, his wife said. He was 66.

In a posting on the famed fighter’s Facebook page, Kay G Hagler said her husband passed away on Saturday at the family home in Bartlett, New Hampshire.

“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvellous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire,” she wrote. “Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

“Marvellous” Marvin Hagler fought from 1973 to 1987 and delivered some epic bouts in a golden era of the sport, finishing with a record of 62-3 with two drawn and 52 knockouts.

The southpaw’s most heralded triumph came in a 1985 matchup at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas against Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, which lasted just over eight minutes but was regarded as a classic that became known simply as “The War”.

After a first round filled with power punches in which Hearns suffered a broken right hand, Hagler suffered a cut to the head early in the second.

A ringside doctor examined Hagler in the third round and the fight went on. Hagler wobbled Hearns with a powerhouse right and sent him to the canvas moments later, Hearns rising only to collapse into referee Richard Steele’s arms.

AFP