Nearly a full 12 months had handed since “The Combat,” the large occasion that was Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns for the undisputed middleweight title, however nobody may overlook it. That three spherical scorcher in April of ’85, which noticed Hearns and Hagler pack an unbelievable quantity of motion and drama into simply eight minutes, earlier than Tommy hit the deck and a bloodied Marvin raised his arms in triumph, was nonetheless a vivid reminiscence for all who witnessed it. Now the plain large cash match to be made in 1986 was Hagler vs Hearns II.
However whereas Tommy and Marvin had placed on a rare present, the ending had been conclusive: “The Marvelous One” was the higher man. So to make the rematch a monumental occasion, the general public wanted to see each in motion once more, each again within the winner’s circle. In different phrases, a little bit marinating was so as. And so, nearly a full 12 months after the well-known “Eight Minutes of Fury,” the pair returned to the ring, on the identical night time and in the identical stadium, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. However not towards one another.
Nonetheless, each have been going through severe challenges to arrange their second showdown. Undefeated James “Black Gold” Shuler, the present USBA champion, was set to battle “The Hit Man,” however the primary occasion was an much more tantalizing match-up. The undisputed middleweight champion could be defending his title towards some of the thrilling knockout artists to emerge in fairly a while, the fighter they referred to as “The Beast.”
John Mugabi, an undefeated Ugandan warrior with some critically heavy fingers, had scored a sequence of spectacular stoppage wins on nationwide tv to ascertain himself as a legit menace to anybody at 154 or 160 kilos. His knockouts of Curtis Parker, James “Laborious Rock” Inexperienced, Frank “The Animal” Fletcher and Earl Hargrove have been spotlight reel fodder, and the prospect of such a harmful puncher going up towards the battle-hardened Hagler had battle followers drooling in anticipation. Fortunate for them, Hagler vs Mugabi greater than lived as much as the expectations.
It was a cold March night time in Vegas, however Thomas Hearns added some warmth when he held up his finish when it comes to setting the scene for Hagler vs Hearns II with a spectacular win. Barely a minute within the opening spherical, Tommy struck with the velocity and suddenness of his namesake, “The Motor Metropolis Cobra,” smashing dwelling his lethal proper hand on the jaw of James Shuler and deciding the match right away. Philadelphia’s “Black Gold” went down onerous and took the total depend. The battle was over in simply 73 seconds.
“I simply bought caught,” stated Shuler later. “There’s no excuse. When he hit me with the primary [right hand], I assumed, ‘Shoot, I can take it from him.’ After which he hit me once more. I suppose I used to be mistaken.” Tragically, Shuler could be killed in a bike accident simply ten days later.
So, earlier than anticipated, Mugabi and Hagler have been referred to as upon to enter the ring and the sold-out crowd cheered loudly for the person universally acknowledged as one of the best fighter within the sport, pound-for-pound. “Marvelous Marvin,” in super situation as at all times, his muscular body and shaved head exuding menace, paced concerning the ring like a caged panther. It was clear he couldn’t wait to pounce on his prey. In the meantime, watching Hagler vs Mugabi from ringside with eager curiosity, was one Sugar Ray Leonard, the ex-champion who had fought solely as soon as within the final 4 years.
Proper from the opening bell, Mugabi, who up so far had campaigned solely at 154 kilos, made it recognized he may grasp with one of the best middleweight on the planet. Displaying no reluctance in any respect to combine it up with Hagler, he got here ahead fearlessly, profitable the opening spherical with stable blows from both hand and a heavy jab, profiting from the southpaw champion’s inexplicable resolution to begin hostilities within the orthodox stance.
However in spherical two Marvin turned a left-hander once more and instantly began tagging Mugabi with a stiff proper lead. Halfway by means of the around the tempo picked up as each males let their fingers go and landed stable blows, “The Beast” urgent ahead, throwing bombs. The slugfest was on and, to the shock of many, Mugabi was greater than holding his personal. However by the top of spherical three Hagler had discovered his rhythm, snapping dwelling that southpaw jab as he moved to his proper, away from Mugabi’s harmful proper hand.
Spherical 4 noticed the champion gaining management along with his faster fingers, however “The Beast” confirmed he may take Hagler’s finest pictures with out flinching, consuming these proper leads and firing again. On the finish of the spherical he landed the toughest blow of the battle up to now, a flush proper uppercut that snapped again Marvin’s glistening bald dome. And on the bell he stopped Hagler in his tracks once more with a heavy proper hook to the temple.
Hagler vs Mugabi was, up to now, a fierce and thrilling battle but it surely went to a different degree in spherical six, the turning level of the battle. Mugabi sought to overwhelm Marvelous Marvin as he unleashed one devastating shot after one other, but it surely was Hagler who jolted the Ugandan with a vicious left hand. Astonishingly, the challenger responded by selecting up the tempo, throwing large hooks with each fists. The champion in flip closed the gap to unload some heavy artillery of his personal to each head and physique, however multiple shot strayed beneath the belt and simply as Mugabi appeared to be rocked again on his heels, referee Mills Lane paused the motion to difficulty Hagler a warning.
The temporary respite aided Mugabi, however Marvin went proper again to work, touchdown a sequence of proper hooks that had his quarry staggering concerning the ring. Amazingly, the challenger rebounded within the final thirty seconds of the spherical, and what ensued was sheer carnage as the 2 warriors went toe-to-toe, weapons blazing, each throwing and catching big pictures as the gang stood and roared.
However that ferocious spherical took a heavy toll on the challenger. “The Beast” continued to battle valiantly, however his legs now appeared sodden and heavy, as if caught in quicksand, and his punches turned more and more broad. Lane helped out the challenger once more with an interruption to deduct a degree from Marvin for low blows, a questionable name, however the remainder of spherical seven featured extra brutal toe-to-toe warfare, with Marvin’s straighter, faster pictures giving him the sting.
Spherical eight noticed no let-up within the motion as Mugabi landed stable physique blows and regarded once more to commerce as Hagler persistently beat his man to the punch, discovering the gap he wanted to land flush proper hooks. It was clear Marvin loved a commanding lead, however on the similar time a nasty lump was ripening beneath his proper eye. And close to the top of spherical 9 it was Mugabi who opened up with a sequence of onerous proper fingers.
The tempo quickened but once more within the tenth, each fighters getting dwelling heavy pictures, upstairs and down, however quickly sufficient Hagler had regained management, touchdown onerous physique blows on the within and forcing Mugabi to retreat. Marvelous Marvin’s sheer bodily energy was now dictating the phrases as “The Beast,” his drained legs faltering, searched in useless for a second wind.
Spherical eleven was Mugabi’s final stand and nobody may ever say he lacked for coronary heart or braveness. As he struggled to maintain his stability and battle again, Hagler ruthlessly pressed his benefit, frequently marching ahead, engaged on the within like an professional bricklayer, methodically placing one quick, sharp blow after one other in place, slowly however absolutely stealing away what was left of the challenger’s stamina.
Lastly, the final of three consecutive proper fingers buckled Mugabi’s legs and despatched him stumbling backwards. Two extra rights landed and the challenger fell into the ropes and collapsed. He rose to a sitting place as Lane tolled the depend however that’s all he may handle. Exhaustion, and an accumulation of heavy punishment from an all-time nice middleweight, stored “The Beast” on the canvas. However solely after giving “Marvelous Marvin” one hell of a battle, a brawl to recollect. Certainly, Hagler vs Mugabi would show to be one of many 12 months’s most fun battles.
Contemplating Mugabi’s sheer energy and his spirited effort, this stands as one of many late, nice Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s most spectacular efforts, his final really “marvelous” efficiency. He confirmed all of it: coronary heart, energy, energy, accuracy, wonderful sturdiness and sensible ways. He gained nearly each spherical as he broke his adversary down with ruthless effectivity, risking heavy punishment to provide boxing followers an action-packed donnybrook and a conclusive end.
And but, this was the battle that satisfied an observer at ringside named Ray Leonard that now was the time to step ahead and provides boxing the dream match it had needed for years: Marvelous Marvin vs Sugar Ray. The stage and the timing had supposedly been set for Hagler vs Hearns II, however Ray spoiled these fastidiously laid plans. At first, Marvin, maybe nonetheless hurting from his brutal slugfest with “The Beast,” demurred, however a report payday beckoned and finally the contracts have been signed as Thomas Hearns fumed on the sidelines. The most important battle in boxing was on. But it surely was that action-packed and punishing slugfest, Hagler vs Mugabi, that made it potential. — Robert Portis
