The legendary boxing champion Marvin Hagler, Marvin Hagler, died at the age of 66

One of the toughest and most beloved boxers of the modern era, former controversial middleweight champion Marvin Hagler died on Saturday at the age of 66.

Hagler’s wife, Kay, confirmed the news by posting it on her husband’s Facebook page, although no official cause of death has been released.

“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” he read on social media posts. “Today sadly, my dear husband, the wonderful Marvin, died unexpectedly here in New Hampshire. Our family demands respect for our privacy at this private time. Lovingly, Kay G. Hagler.”

Promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank later confirmed the news via a press release.

“Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest athletes the Top Rank has ever promoted. He was a man of honor and a man of his word, and he worked in the ring with unparalleled determination. He was a real athlete and a real man. You will miss him,” Arum said.

Hagler, who was arrested in 1993 at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, made 12 defenses for the controversial middleweight title from 1980 to 1987. take part in one of the most memorable fights in the history of the sport.

Hagler (62-3-2, 52 KOs), who easily changed his attitude to the south, was stopped by Thomas Hearns in the third round of the 1985 middleweight title now known as “The War.” The fight immediately denounced one of the most exciting, violent and dramatic title fights ever created by boxing.

The last fight of Hagler’s 67-ball professional career was as memorable in 1987 as the nearly 160-pound champion finally got a fight against rival Sugar Ray Leonard. Leonard won the 12-round thriller of the thriller, winning the decision in a split, remains one of them. the most debated results to date.

Disgusted with Leonard’s score in the fight, Hagler would not fight again and retired at the age of 34 the following year. Hagler immediately moved to Italy, where he spent much of his life after boxing and pursued an acting career.

With his ability to box as well as punch a real wrestler, Hagler began his career with a chin that had a card throughout his career in 1973. Hagler never stopped alone in his three defeats, falling only once in 1984 against Juan Roldan, as Hagler immediately argued that he should slip.

A member of the famous “Four Kings” of the 1980s – a famous middle-weight group in the Hall of Fame that included Hearns, Leonard and Roberto Duran – Hagler also won the decision against Duran in 1983.

Hagler won 55-1 as an amateur, winning the 1973 U.S. National Championship in middleweight. But instead of pursuing Olympic fame, he chose to become a professional and was forced to repeatedly make a long way to gain respect and wealth. prove himself within the ring.

The fact that Hagler was not as famous as his opponent Leonard, who won Olympic gold in 1976, only helped him make the decision harder. Hagler’s first shot at the middleweight title also ended in a controversial way when he stole in 1979 after a draw against Vito Antuofermo.

A year later, Hagler would finally have his moment when he traveled to London in 1980 to stop Alan Minter to claim the controversial middleweight championship. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Hagler was dumped with rubbish and debris by party members.

Hagler was awarded the Fighter of the Year awards in 1983 and 1985 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Boxing Illustrated also named him a fighter in the 1980s.

The father of five with his first wife Bertha, Hagler was also the brother of former middleweight boxer Robbie Sims.

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