Date: 17th January 1981
Venue: Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Title: WBC & WBA World Middleweight Titles
Promoter: Bob Arum
Tv: HBO Sports
Marvin Hagler
(
50
-
2
-
2
)
Weight: 159 1/2 lbs
Fulgencio Obelmejias
(
30
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 159 1/2 lbs
Undisputed world middleweight champion Marvin Hagler had finally achieved what many believed he deserved earlier in his career when he travelled to London, England to relieve the reigning titleholder Alan Minter of his belts in September 1980. Now, four months later, the resident of Brockton, Massachusetts got to make his first defence against WBC and WBA No1 ranked contender Fulgencio Obelmejias at The Boston Garden.
The 6ft 1 inch Venezuelan entered his first world title challenge with an unblemished 30-0 record that also contained 28 victims that never heard the final bell. Hagler knew by now to be cautious and take his time.
Even with a cautious mindset, Hagler was simply levels above his challenger who lasted until the 8th round when referee Octavio Meyran stepped in to stop the battering a still erect Obelmejias was receiving.
Obelmejias was down in the 6th round.
Scores at the end of the 8th round: Octavio Meyran 70-62 | Mike Jacobs 70-62 | Guy Jutras 70-63