Marvin Hagler vs Mustafa Hamsho 2

For nine years as a professional, Mustafa Hamsho had remained on his feet. Marvin Hagler put him down twice in the third round at Madison Square Garden on 19 October 1984, ending their second meeting far sooner than the first. Hamsho’s trainer, Al Certo, entered the ring to protect his fighter, and referee Arthur Mercante recorded a technical knockout at two minutes 31 seconds. Some 16,000 spectators had seen Hagler retain his position as the leading middleweight, although a dispute over the scheduled length of the bout would soon complicate his claim to all three championship belts.

The rematch had more substance behind it than the result might suggest. Hagler had stopped Hamsho in the eleventh round in 1981, when the challenger’s facial injuries required extensive treatment. Hamsho had since beaten Bobby Czyz and Wilfred Benítez to secure another opportunity. He was a strong, persistent southpaw who preferred to come forward, work at close range and make an opponent fight. Hagler, also a southpaw, was the more precise puncher and had the better means of controlling that range. The bout was scheduled for fifteen rounds, with the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation recognising the contest as a title defence.

The men met in the centre of the ring in the first round. Hamsho sought to get close enough to use his strength, but a cut appeared over his left eye, and blood became a problem as Hagler landed further punches. The opening two rounds were competitive on two of the judges’ cards: Vincent Rainone and Eva Shain gave Hamsho the first and Hagler the second, while Harold Lederman awarded both to the champion. Those scores reflected Hamsho’s willingness to engage, though the cut made his task increasingly difficult.

Hamsho also brought his head and forearms into the exchanges. Mercante warned him about the use of his forearms, and Hagler complained afterwards about the challenger’s head. There was no point deduction. In the third round, Hagler’s clean punching settled the matter. A combination sent Hamsho down for the first time in his professional career. He rose at six, but was unsteady, and Hagler pressed him with successive blows. A right hook put Hamsho down again. Certo came through the ropes, ending the punishment before the challenger could be sent out to continue.

Hagler’s record stood at 60 wins, two losses and two draws after the stoppage. He had dealt with Hamsho more quickly than in their first encounter, but his next opponent was still a matter for negotiation, with Thomas Hearns prominent in the discussion. The following day, the World Boxing Council stripped Hagler of its title because this defence had been arranged for fifteen rounds, contrary to its twelve-round rule. That decision altered the official division of the belts; it did nothing to alter what had happened in the ring.

I was a huge Hagler fan around this time, and I remember this defence vividly. He had that look of a man nobody could shift. A couple of years later, Tyson gave me the same feeling when he stopped Berbick and went on to gather the heavyweight belts. Hagler was already established at the top. Hamsho had lasted eleven rounds with him in their first fight, then beaten Bobby Czyz and Wilfred Benítez to earn another go. He deserved his place there.

Hamsho came forward with his head low, trying to make it a rough, close fight. He could take a punch, but toughness only helps for so long when you keep coming in on the same line. Hagler was quicker to the target and more accurate once Hamsho got near him. The cut over Hamsho’s eye made matters worse. I didn’t like the use of the head and forearms either; Mercante had to warn him.

The first knockdown in the third round told me it was over. Hamsho got up, but his legs weren’t right. Hagler put his punches together, dropped him again, and Al Certo came in to save him. Quite right, too. I respected Hamsho’s grit, but there was nothing left for him to prove by taking more of that.