Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Boxing Great, Dead at 66: NPR

Marvin Hagler, one of the greatest middleweight boxing champions of all time, passed away on Saturday. A Facebook post from his wife. He was 66 years old.

“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” wrote Kay Hagler. “Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin unexpectedly passed away at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that our privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

Hagler was 62-3-2 with 52 knockdowns from 1973 to 1987, According to the Associated Press.

He defeated Alan Minter to win a world title in 1980 and made 12 successful defenses before losing to “Sugar” Ray Leonard in a controversial split decision in 1987.

Leonard, In his autobiography The Big Battle: My Life In and Out of the Ring, Who described Hagler as “the most intimidating opponent of the [his] Professional life.”

Leonard writes: “While I trained more aggressively with Hagler than with any previous opponent, no amount of effort put into the speed bag, heavy duty, jumping rope, and running can compare to actual combat.”

Hagler’s global defenses included fights against Thomas Hearns, Juan Roldan, John Mugabe, Mustafa Hamsho, and others.

to me Sports IllustratedHagler was Given the title “wonderful” Written by a journalist from Lowell, Massachusetts, where the boxer fought as an amateur.

In 1982, annoyed that broadcasters did not identify him by the title, he then legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the Associated Press reported.

After news of his death, Hearns asked for “peace” in one of his Instagram posts.

“Our love and respect for Marvin and his family,” he said, adding that Hagler was “a king, legend, father, husband and much more.”

Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1954. He was recruited into 1993 International Boxing Hall of Fame.