Could a prime Hagler have desposed of John Mugabi....?

Question

in fewer rounds than the 1986 version.

Answer 1

most likely it would of been a 5th or 6th round stoppage by hagler had he been in his prime, the reason mugabi didn't give up sooner (he wasn't knocked out, he gave up, you can tell by the fighter's body language as he is getting up from the knock down) is because hagler lost the head movement he used earlier in his career, and mugabi was tagging him regularly, you could tell by the swelling on marvins face, had hagler been in his prime, this fight would of looked similiar to cotto's mutilation of gomez last week

Answer 2

Under the circumstances, odds are good Mugambi would have held his own with anyone for the first six rounds.  I don't think Hagler was that far off his prime, and it was a brutal task breaking down Mugambi and it would have taken at least that long no matter how good of shape Hagler would have came into it in.  The size difference is the only reason Hagler was able to do it, Mugambi was a fearsome and spectacular 154 lb. champion fighting the second best middleweight of all time, and Hagler needed all 6 of those extra lbs to beat Mugambi down, it was a true war.  No matter what stage of Hagler's career he faced Mugambi, it would have been the same.

Answer 3

I agree with Blogbaba on this one as I don't think Hagler was too far past his prime when they did fight and Mugabi was certainly a tough fighter as well.  I believe the outcome would have been very similar.

Answer 4

I have to agree with Blog and Toughguy.  Although he had been in wars before, against Hearns, Hamsho, Antofurmo, Hagler wasn't so far past his prime.  He might have lost a step or two by the time he got to Mugabi but not much.

It was the classic Atomic punch vs the Titanium Chin.  Mugabi was THE hardest punching 160 in the world but Hagler has one of the best chins in history.  That fluke knockdown (pulldown) against Juan Roldan was the closest Hagler ever came to a visit to the canvas.  Mugabi wore himself out hitting a man he couldn't hurt despite his incredible power.  

Even in the Leonard fight,  it was not so much that Hagler got old.  He FOUGHT like an old man because he allowed Leonard to get in his head BEFORE the fight.  It was like Batman beating the IRONMAN.  Ray set all the traps BEFORE the fight.  Marvin just fell for them.  

Marvin Hagler could have fought another 2 years if he wanted to.  He was a little shop worn by the time of the Mugabi fight but he still had enough left to handle the rest of the 160s,  INCLUDING Leonard had he given Marvin a rematch.  I like to think Marvin would have realized his errors the first time.

The "Pre-Hearns" Hagler KO's Mugabi in 6