STREET MARVEL

He grew up fatherless in inner city Newark, New Jersey. As a 13 year old he witnessed first-hand the Newark riots that erupted during the summer of 1967, causing massive property damage including the total destruction of the Hagler’s tenement. The deprived young family had been at the epicentre of the devastation. His single mother then moved the shaken children to Brockton, Massachusetts. Between “running a lot and stealing a little”, Hagler joined a gym in downtown Brockton and began his journey, which would culminate in 10 magnificent unbeaten years from 1976 to 1986. 

His finest hour came in the famous fight with Tommy Hearns at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, on April 15th of 1985. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported: "Not since Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in 1971 has a fistic confrontation provoked so much discussion." Reporter Nick Pitt wrote in the Sunday Times: "This is a big fight. You can tell because Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is groaning with the high rollers who between them will manage to lose several million dollars on it by Tuesday morning.”

So many superfights fail to live up to the hype, especially in recent years. But this was 1985 and boxing was on a high. Marvelous Marvin Hagler ensured that expectations were not only met, but surpassed and, ultimately, blown clean out of the water. He walked through punches like they were playful slaps. He switched from Southpaw to Orthodox and back, a unique skill he had mastered. Then he battered Hearns to the canvas within 3 rounds. The late Hall of Fame boxing writer Harry Mullan, who was at ringside, said later: "The first round was so exciting I was praying they'd ring the bell because I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack."

What better way to celebrate than to relive this short, brutal and beautiful spell of boxing magic. Happy Birthday Marvin.