“The War” between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns set the standard for every brutal slugfest in combat sports


“The War” between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns set the standard for every brutal slugfest in combat sports

Hearns lands an uppercut on Hagler

On a cold April night in the Nevada desert, Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns possibly engaged in what might have been the longest 8 minutes two humans might have ever been through. Headlining at the iconic Caesar’s palace, the two displayed immense heart and elevated the sport of boxing with their three-round slugfest of a fight.

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Both Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler were respected figures in the boxing world up to that point. Hagler more so than Hearns since he had long been the reigning middleweight champion. In fact, in his 10 defense title run, all but one of them ended via a KO. That single decision victory had been against the infamous Hands of Stone, Roberto Duran.

It was with this reputation that Hagler walked into his fight against Hearns. Hearns was recent addition that had moved up from the welterweight division, trying to make a mark among the middleweights. What gave him further notoriety apart from his long frame and surprising power was that he was among the few who had managed to finish Roberto Duran, something Hagler failed to do.

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3 Rounds that took the life out of Tommy Hearns and Marvin Haggler

Marvin Hagler x Tommy Hearns
A still from Hagler vs Hearns

The fact that both men had finished their previous opponents in the third round via TKO got the press further excited about this bout. However while they were waiting to see a display of strong punches being thrown, no one in that venue that night was expecting the volume that would be showcased.

Marvin Hagler, a traditionally slow starter, jumped on to the taller man Hearns right off the bat setting the pace for the fight. Everyone from the broadcast team to the fans up in the rafter couldn’t believe their eyes, seeing such intense action in the opening round of a title fight. While Hearns landed the stronger shots, the round went to Hagler on two of the judge’s scorecards. Many boxing outlets would later label this as the greatest round in boxing history.

Round 2 was even more iconic since Hearns was basically done after the first round of action. Later on the fighter would recall that he had no legs to move around in the second. He would fall victim to Hagler’s relentless punches on the ropes.

Marvin Hagler x Tommy Hearns
The final knockdown of the fight

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The third and final round saw some of the most animalistic moments in boxing history. With Hearns looking to gain back control of the fight, he found some success as he opened up a cut on his face of Hagler. This would lead to the ref asking the ringside physician to interfere. After being cleared, Hagler realizing he could be asked to forfeit due to the cut went in for the kill with the same ferocity as the first.

He would stumble Hearns multiple times before an overhand finally put him to the canvas. Unable to get back up, the fight would be called off as a TKO victory in the third. The fight would later receive the appropriate nickname, “The War”. This was surprisingly one of the last fights in Hagler’s career as he would shortly retire after a loss to Sugar Ray Leonard and then step into the world of films.

Hearns would continue on the boxing journey and also conquer accolades at middleweight. Haggler would live a happy life and die of natural causes with his children and wife in Italy. He was 66.

The two men gave their all and left us with the most enthralling 3 rounds in combat sports history.

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