Dream fight. Charley Burley vs Marvin Hagler. Who wins?

Question

A lot of folks are going to say Hagler, but I think this would have been a heck of a fight. Burley handled Archie Moore and was never knocked out so keep that in mind.

15 rounds at middleweight.

Burley 83-12-2 (50)

Hagler 62-3-2 952)

Answer 1

Wow, bro this one is truly a fight for the ages.  When it comes to picking classic match ups, you sir have no peer at this site.

If Eddie Futch rates Charley Burley as the best all around fighter Eddie ever saw, who am I to doubt him.  Hagler's classic war of attrition with John Mugambi was against a 154lb. champion coming up to middle weight.  Burly fought the likes of Archie Moore and Izzard Charles, so you have to believe Hagler is in for the fight of his life.  

The 160lb. weigh in helps Marvin, you have to figure Burley would be a little dried out making weight, but as far as the rest, it seems to point to Marvin Hagler getting into another war, only this time Hagler is in the position of the physically smaller fighter, much like Mugambi was against him.  I think Burley would take this one, but Hagler was as tough anyone in history and he would take it the distance.

Charley Burley by decision.

Answer 2

if ezzard charles couldn't ko burley, hagler won't either.

it's very hard to pick against either fighter, hagler is considered a top 5 all time middleweight, and burley is considered (in a recent ring magazine poll) a top 5 all time welterweight,  who took on heavyweights...and even beat archie moore!!!

still, i have to give hagler a very slight edge here....i think he just has that little bit extra.

Answer 3

My goodness, where do you come up with these great match ups? lol, anyway this would be an amazing fight to watch, both Hagler and Burley were fantastic boxers with iron chins and great boxing skills, Burley was extremely versatile in the ring and a lot stronger than people realize, Hagler....well he needs no introduction, we all know what hagler was capable of, a fight between the two at middle weight would be a gift to all boxing fans, both fighters never backed down, both fighters had decent skills (Burley was a better defensive boxer than hagler though) and both fighters had a lot of heart, it would be a war between greats, they would trade punches and try everything in the book to win....honestly it is very hard to pick a winner, even though Hagler was not the fastest middle weight his record shows that he could handle fast opponents, and Burley is known for his abilty to take punches from just about anyone, at middle weight this fight would be too close to call although i am inclined to believe that Burley could get a split decision here however history has shown us that it is never wise to bet against Hagler.

Answer 4

IMO, Marvin Hagler is the closest thing to a god among Middleweights.  However, there is a reason Burley was avoided by many of the top middleweights of his time.   Only a prime Ezzard Charles was able to beat him.  

Do you think there's a Michael Jordan type ball player walking around out there who never got a shot at the big time?   There are a lot of people in the world.  As great as he was it is possible that there was a fighter every bit as good as Robinson in some ways at least.   The difference is that during that time there was room for only ONE of his type.  Robinson had that "something extra".  Might have nothing to do with what he does in the ring.

Burley was never given a chance.  But you must remember that boxing was more corrupt during that time than ever before.  Someone didn't want Burley to win a title so they made sure he never fought for one.   Can you imagine being as good as he was and never receiving a shot between welter and lt. heavy?

Burley wins for the same reason Roy Jones would win over Hagler.  He's tough enough to take what Marvin dishes out.  He's strong enough to wrestle with Marvin in the clinches and he quick enough to get enough punches in before Marvin can.  He wouldn't KO Marvin.  NO ONE can.  But he would do enough to win.

Burley by decision