(Reuters) – Amazing Marvin Hagler, who dominated boxing’s middleweight division in the 1980s, has died at the age of 66, his wife Kay Hagler said yesterday.
The cause of death was not immediately known. The TMZ celebrity website said Hagler was transported to hospital in New Hampshire on Saturday with chest pains and trouble breathing.
Hagler, who legally changed his name to Marvelous in 1982, posted a record of 62-3-2 and ruled supreme until his reign as undisputed middleweight champion ended controversially in 1987 with a loss to Sugar Ray Leonard.
“I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today sadly my dear husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family asks you to respect our privacy during this difficult time, ”Kay Hagler posted on Marvin Hagler’s Marvelous Fan Club page on Facebook.
Considered one of the great champions of boxing and the best pound-for-pound fighters, Hagler was knocked down only once in 67 professional pools while 52 of his victories came by knockout.
A member of the World and International Boxing Hall of Fame, Hagler was twice named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine.
“Rest in Peace Amazing Marvin Hagler. Boxing has never been great, ”promoter Frank Warren posted on Twitter.
Hagler’s 14-year career is best remembered not for one battle but one round, the first in his 1985 fight with Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns who became known as “The War”.
For three minutes of brutal violence the two men released a barrage of punch at each other. Hagler would go on to win the fight when he was stopped in the third round, the instant being a boxing classic.
“Sad to hear of the death of Marvinus Marvin Hagler. One of the greatest to ever step in the ring! #RIPMarvelous, ”tweeted the great Oscar De La Hoya boxing.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said Hagler was among the top athletes his company promoted.
“He was an honorable man and a man of his word, and he performed in the ring with unmatched determination. He was a true athlete and a real man. I will miss him greatly. ”
Circle publisher Michael Buffer tweeted that he was “crushed” by the news.
Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis tweeted: “This is such a hard hit as he was the one I emulated my own training camps after when I saw how seriously his training camps took him. The world is one big man smaller today. ”