Retired boxing legend and former middleweight world champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler is dead. According to a post on his official Facebook Fan Club page made by Hagler’s wife Kay Hagler, Marvin Hagler died at age 66 unexpectedly at his home in New Hampshire.
Hagler is a former professional boxing champion who compiled an overall record of 62-3-2 from 1973 to 1987.
Hagler is considered by most boxing historians to be one of the greatest fighters of all-time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993
He’s frequently listed as the greatest middleweight champion ever, and he is best remembered for being one of the “four kings” of boxing’s “last great era” as described by boxing writer George Kimball.
The other fighters on Kimball’s list were Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.
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Hagler vs. Duran, Hearns & Leonard
Hagler went 2-1 vs. that stalwart group of boxing legends.
In 1983, Hagler defeated Duran by unanimous decision in a spirited contest that proved the exceptional quality of both fighters.
In 1985, Hagler stopped Hearns in the third round in one of the most celebrated action-fights in boxing history. The first three minutes of that fight are considered by some to be the most violent round in boxing history.
Hagler retired from boxing after losing by split decision to Leonard in 1986. It was one of the most controversial fights in boxing history, and the 12-round contest remains one of the most frequently debated topics in the sport.
Regardless, Hagler’s greatness in boxing has never been questioned by fans, media or any other fighters.
Boxing Illustrated named Hagler its Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s.
He was twice named “Fighter of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine in 1983 and 1985, according to BoxRec.
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How Did Hagler Die?
GettyMarvin and Kay Hagler attend the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards at Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Monte-Carlo on February 27, 2018, in Monaco.
Hagler’s family has not revealed his cause of death. The full statement on Hagler’s Facebook fan site says:
I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.
With love, Kay G. Hagler
In a post on Instagram made by Hearns about an hour before reports of Hagler’s death started making rounds on social media, Hearns claimed Hagler was rushed to the ICU due to “the after effects of the vaccine.”
You can see that post below.
That post has led some people to speculate that Hagler’s death was due to the coronavirus vaccine.
As noted by boxing writer Corey Erdman, that kind of speculation is based on a dangerously limited amount of information, and it almost immediately led to a raging controversy on the Internet.
Erdman posted, “I know what Hearns posted, but either Hagler became the first person to pass away due to the COVID vaccine or Tommy was misinformed at an unfortunate time. Please resist the urge to turn this into anti-vax discourse, believe what his wife has posted, and honor Marvin’s legacy.”
Hearns later made it clear via Instagram that he does not want his post to be used in any kind of anti-vaccine campaign. He posted, “Allow us to have our peace…this is not an anti-vaccine campaign…it’s outrageous to have that in mind…”.
You can read his full statement below.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
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Marvelous Marvin Hagler Dead: One of Boxing’s ‘Four Kings’