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World champion boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler dies at 66

BROCKTON, Mass. —
A world champion boxer with strong ties to Massachusetts has died at the age of 66.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler died unexpectedly at his New Hampshire home on Saturday, according to a statement from his wife, Kay, in a post made to Hagler's official Facebook fan club page.

Hagler, who began his boxing career in Brockton, reigned as the undisputed middleweight champion of the world from 1980 to 1987.

“The city of Brockton and the boxing world has suffered a devastating loss today with the passing of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, former Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world," reads a statement from Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan. "Marvelous Marvin will always be a champion from our 'City of Champions' and he inspired civic pride in generations of Brocktonians. He will be remembered as the dominant Middleweight fighter of his era. His championship boxing matches captivated Brockton and the world and became instant classics.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hagler family. Rest in peace, Champ!”

Hagler successfully defended the championship belt twelve times, including a superfight against Thomas Hearns that is considered one of the greatest boxing matches in history.


AP Photo
Marvin Hagler, right, and Thomas Hearns in action during the first round of the World Middleweight Championship boxing in Las Vegas, April 15, 1985.

He lost the middleweight title to Sugar Ray Leonard via split decision in another fight that was considered an all-time classic. It would be Hagler's last professional fight, as he retired in June 1988 at the age of 33.

Hagler finished his professional career with 62 wins, with 52 by knockout. He lost three fights, all by decision, and had two draws.
He is an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.


Michael Sohn
Boxing legend Marvin Hagler and his wife Kay Guarrera arrive for the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. (AP Photo