MARVIN HAGLER w pts 15 ROBERTO DURAN
November 10, 1983; Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
MARVIN HAGLER had watched Roberto Duran terrorise Davey Moore to win a light-middleweight belt five months before and anticipated a similar approach from the Panamanian ahead of their battle for the world middleweight title. Hagler, it was reported at the time, trained to counterpunch but struggled to adjust when Duran opted to box cleverly albeit cautiously. What transpired was a riveting exhibition between two true legends of the sport. At the end of 13 rounds, Hagler was down by a point on two cards and level on the other yet he won the final two sessions to snatch a close victory on points.
DID YOU KNOW? The excellent US publication, KO Magazine, asked 25 experts beforehand who they thought would win. All 25 picked Hagler, who opened as a hefty 4/1 favourite.
WATCH OUT FOR: Both Hagler and Duran going about their business. Duran’s use of the right hand is particularly impressive but perhaps the best thing to see here is Hagler’s nearly always impeccable combination punching.
