One of the best fighters when I was a kid. I absolutely loved his style. He was in great shape and had perfect, yet “awkward”, technique. The combination of his relentless attack, excellent defense, and unique punching technique made him a formidable foe.
Probably his biggest achievement was knocking out Hearns, a great fighter in his own right, in the third round.
All in all, Hagler won 63 professional fights, and only lost 3.
One of those 3 losses was to Sugar Ray Leonard, another one of the greatest middle weights.
I remember the fight very well. Both fighters fought exactly the fight they wanted to. Hagler constantly pressing and Sugar Ray using counterpunches.
Neither fighter ever really hurt the other, but Hagler was more effective for the entire round. Sugar Ray strategically waited to the end of rounds and would throw a flurry of punches attempting to score points with the judges.
In my opinion Hagler won the fight, and in his too. It upset him so much, that he retired from boxing. Never looking back.
In any case, he was just 66 years old.
Rest in piece dear sir! You were one of my favorite of all time.
