Marvelous Marvin Hagler died at the age of 66 on Saturday. The Boxing Hall of Famer and sports icon was known as one of the best middleweight fighters in the sport's history.
Hagler became the undisputed middleweight champion in 1980 and defended the crown 12 times until his defeat against "Sugar" Ray Leonard in 1987. That was Hagler's last professional fight, ending his career with a record of 62-3-2 and 52 KOs. In 1993, Hagler was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was also selected as the fighter of the decade in the 1980s.
Hagler is also remembered for what is often known as the greatest three minutes in the sport: the first round of his fight against Thomas Hearns. Hagler ended up winning that 1985 bout by third-round TKO.
Fighters, promoters and others from the boxing and sports world took to social media to pay their respects to one of the all-time greats.
Marvin Hagler came to my fight in Boston. I appreciated what he said to me after my fight. Rest In Peace, my friend. Condolences to the Hagler family. Thank you Marvelous Marvin Hagler for all you gave to boxing #boxing #legend #icon #friend #boxer #worldchampion #wildcardboxing pic.twitter.com/LNduOj4Qd9
— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) March 14, 2021
Marvelous Marvin Hagler was among the greatest athletes that Top Rank ever promoted. He was a man of honor and a man of his word, and he performed in the ring with unparalleled determination.
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) March 14, 2021
He was a true athlete and a true man. I will miss him greatly. pic.twitter.com/RjNSlayBwA
😭Stunned! One of my FAVORITE fighters! @BoxingHall LEGEND! Met him there. Fanned out! Told him I'd watched all of his pro fights! He was so appreciative, so nice, and fun! He & his wife were so lovely, soulmates. God, my heart goes out to her! #RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler So sad! https://t.co/jQl01b7AI6
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) March 14, 2021
A bright light has been dimmed. One of the most tenacious yet tender men I've had the pleasure to know passed today.Marvelous Marvin Hagler will leave this world having made his mark on the sport of boxing and our hearts. A person of great talent and character. #LegendsNeverDie pic.twitter.com/bZtiQAQjQw
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 14, 2021
We are saddened to hear of the passing of boxing legend "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler. Our condolences go out to the Hagler family.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 14, 2021
WAR ! #MarvinHagler Love & Respect Champion 🙏🏽.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) March 14, 2021
I am crushed at the news that MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER has passed away! He was-in his prime-POUND4POUND-the best, going 11yrs in 38 fights w/o defeat! He dominated the MW division 4 a decade!
— Michael Buffer (@Michael_Buffer) March 13, 2021
62 wins/52KOs-3 losses
R.I.P. 4EVER CHAMPION-4EVER REMEMBERED💔
https://t.co/jWYZ5uEhGl
Heartfelt Sympathies to the families of 'Marvellous' Mr Marvin Hagler. A True WARrior and a Legend... The Boxing Community Has Lost A Hero... Rest In Perfect Peace 🙏🏾🕊🥊🥊🥊
— Isaac Dogboe (@IsaacDogboe) March 14, 2021
One Of My Many Boxing Heroes❤️❤️#MarvinHagler #Boxing pic.twitter.com/lBwFy4ZeT8
I shed more than a few tears in 1987 when my favorite boxer of all time lost his middleweight title to the great Sugar Ray Leonard.
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) March 14, 2021
I shed a few more today. 🙏🏼👑😢
Rest easy Champ!
#RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler #Hagler #MarvinHagler #RIPChamp #BrocktonMA pic.twitter.com/dJoorgz3EO
RIP Marvin Hagler pic.twitter.com/e2pdGxvY4n
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 14, 2021
RIP to a true legend. Marvelous Marvin Hagler pic.twitter.com/XVKpam3beS
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) March 14, 2021
RIP to the Marvelous one. Marvin Hagler 👑🙌🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/MdNox93iE3
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) March 14, 2021
Rest in Peace to the legendary Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Grew up studying this man & always trying to emulate the same ferocity & grit he would use to beat his opponents. You'll be missed Champ. pic.twitter.com/GDbYDjUFbI
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 14, 2021
Omg. Too soon! Farewell to a friend and legend. Marvin was a giant, a warrior, a king, and man's man. He had such great energy. This one is a kick in the gut. #Boxing has lost part of its heart and soul. Rest In Peace and Power, mio paesano. #MarvinHagler
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) March 14, 2021
One of the greatest to ever do it. RIP Marvin Hagler 🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/udWMK67CRf
— Derek Chisora 🥊 (@DerekWarChisora) March 13, 2021
Devastated to hear the passing of one of my favourite fighters 😔
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai) March 13, 2021
RIP Marvin Hagler 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/IMWEU6OcSJ
Rest In Peace Marvin Hagler 🙏🏼
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) March 13, 2021
Rest in eternal peace the Marvelous One! @Michael_Buffer will lead a 10 bell tribute to the great Marvin Hagler tonight 🙏 @DAZNBoxing
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) March 14, 2021
QEPD Marvin Hagler, estaremos orando por su alma y por su familia. Bendiciones
— Roman Gonzalez (@chocolatitobox) March 13, 2021
If reports are true we are lost for words to hear the of the loss of our all time favorite boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler - for us the greatest Middleweight who ever lived #RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler pic.twitter.com/lBwqc5Znxz
— Kalle & Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) March 13, 2021
Very sad if true! This man was as hard as nails...and could box with the best of them. One of if not THE greatest middleweights of all time. His fight with Hearns is up there with the best ever!! May he RIP💙🙏🏻 https://t.co/pV08feMrYy
— matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) March 13, 2021
Sad to hear of the death of one of boxing's true greats - Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Initially sidetracked and ignored , he carried a bitter but brilliant intensity in his long middleweight reign and his pulsating "war" with Tommy Hearns is the greatest fight I ever covered.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) March 13, 2021
Champion forever! https://t.co/bS0T4qZGxI via @YouTube
— Badou Jack (@BadouJack) March 13, 2021
Rest In Peace Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) March 13, 2021
Boxing lost an all time great today 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ynPgvDopne
Boxing has lost one of the all time greats.
— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) March 13, 2021
Gutted to hear of the passing of Marvellous Marvin Hagler.
One of the toughest, and best fighters in one of the greatest eras in boxing history.
Hagler along with Leonard,Hearns & Duran - the Real Four Kings.#RIP ❤️ #WAR 👑 #boxing pic.twitter.com/IEEGBgS9W6
What a sweet man Marvin Hagler was. Rest In Peace, champ. pic.twitter.com/3G5JCT0IuA
— Ettore "Big E" Ewen (@WWEBigE) March 14, 2021
Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the incredible
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) March 14, 2021
Marvellous Marvin Hagler. I'm honoured to have spent some amazing times with him. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champ 🙏🙏