“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler died at the age of 66 on Saturday. The Boxing Hall of Famer and sports icon was known as one of the best middleweight fighters in the sport’s history.
Hagler became the undisputed middleweight champion in 1980 and defended the crown 12 times, until his defeat against “Sugar” Ray Leonard in 1987. That was Hagler’s last professional fight, ending his career with a record of 62-3-2 and 52 KOs. In 1993, Hagler was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was also selected as the fighter of the decade in the ’80s.
Hagler is also remembered for what is often known as the greatest three minutes in the sport — the first round of his fight against Thomas Hearns. Hagler ended up winning that 1985 bout by third round TKO.
Fighters, promoters and others from the boxing and sports world took to social media to pay their respects to one of the all-time greats.
I am crushed at the news that MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER has passed away! He was-in his prime-POUND4POUND-the best, going 11yrs in 38 fights w/o defeat! He dominated the MW division 4 a decade!
62 wins/52KOs-3 lossesR.I.P. 4EVER CHAMPION-4EVER REMEMBERED💔
https://t.co/jWYZ5uEhGl— Michael Buffer (@Michael_Buffer) March 13, 2021
One of the greatest to ever do it. RIP Marvin Hagler 🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/udWMK67CRf
— Derek Chisora 🥊 (@DerekWarChisora) March 13, 2021
Devastated to hear the passing of one of my favourite fighters 😔
RIP Marvin Hagler 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/IMWEU6OcSJ
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai) March 13, 2021
Rest In Peace Marvin Hagler 🙏🏼
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) March 13, 2021
Rest in eternal peace the Marvelous One! @Michael_Buffer will lead a 10 bell tribute to the great Marvin Hagler tonight 🙏 @DAZNBoxing
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) March 14, 2021
QEPD Marvin Hagler, estaremos orando por su alma y por su familia. Bendiciones
— Roman Gonzalez (@chocolatitobox) March 13, 2021
If reports are true we are lost for words to hear the of the loss of our all time favorite boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler – for us the greatest Middleweight who ever lived #RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/lBwqc5Znxz
— Kalle & Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) March 13, 2021
Very sad if true! This man was as hard as nails…and could box with the best of them. One of if not THE greatest middleweights of all time. His fight with Hearns is up there with the best ever!! May he RIP💙🙏🏻 https://t.co/pV08feMrYy
— matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) March 13, 2021
Sad to hear of the death of one of boxing’s true greats – Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Initially sidetracked and ignored , he carried a bitter but brilliant intensity in his long middleweight reign and his pulsating “war” with Tommy Hearns is the greatest fight I ever covered.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) March 13, 2021
Champion forever! https://t.co/bS0T4qZGxI via @YouTube
— Badou Jack (@BadouJack) March 13, 2021
Rest In Peace Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Boxing lost an all time great today 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ynPgvDopne
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) March 13, 2021
Boxing has lost one of the all time greats.
Gutted to hear of the passing of Marvellous Marvin Hagler.
One of the toughest, and best fighters in one of the greatest eras in boxing history.
Hagler along with Leonard,Hearns & Duran – the Real Four Kings.#RIP ❤️ #WAR 👑 #boxing pic.twitter.com/IEEGBgS9W6— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) March 13, 2021
What a sweet man Marvin Hagler was. Rest In Peace, champ. pic.twitter.com/3G5JCT0IuA
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) March 14, 2021
Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the incredible
Marvellous Marvin Hagler. I’m honoured to have spent some amazing times with him. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champ 🙏🙏— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) March 14, 2021