Marvin Hagler, a middle-aged boxer whose title and career ended in a loss of decisions to “Sugar” Ray Leonard in 1987, died on Saturday. He was 66 years old.
Wife Kay G. Hagler confirmed the death on Facebook on the verified page of the wonderful Marvin Hagler Fan Club.
“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” she wrote. “Today, unfortunately, my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin died unexpectedly at his home in New Hampshire. Our family asks you to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
Hagler was 62-3-2, with 52 eliminations from 1973 to 1987. He was the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 until Leonard’s loss at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 6, 1987.
The fierce left-hander had two of his biggest victories at Caesars Palace, unanimously beating Roberto Duran in 1983 and eliminating Thomas Hearns in the third round in 1985.
“The wonderful Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest athletes Top Rank has ever promoted,” said Top Rank President Bob Arum. “He was a man of honor and a man of his word and he played in the ring with unparalleled determination. He was a real athlete and a real man. I will miss him very much.”
Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved with his family to Brockton, Massachusetts, in the late 1960s. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983.