42 years ago

Date: 3rd October 1981

Title: WBC & WBA World Middleweight Titles

Promoter: Bob Arum

Tv: HBO

Marvin Hagler
( 52 - 2 - 2 )
Weight: 157 lbs

Mustafa Hamsho
( 32 - 1 - 2 )
Weight: 160 lbs

Marvin Hagler made the third defence of his undisputed world middleweight title against No. 1 contender Mustafa Hamsho a Brooklyn, New York-based Syrian. Hamsho had won the right to challenge the champion with a controversial split decision win over former world titleholder Alan Minter in Las Vegas four months earlier.

Hamsho was a rough, tough brawling southpaw but with better boxing skills than were often attributed to him.

Very often, two southpaws do not make for an exciting contest but not Hagler and Hamsho. Both champion and challenger fought an action-packed bout that although slightly one-sided in Hagler's favour, always kept the crowd at The Horizon Arena enthralled.

Hagler was simply too accurate, hard-hitting and skilled for the relentless Hamsho and he ground the resistance out of his challenger until the 11th round when referee Octavio Meyran stepped between the fighters to call a halt to proceedings just as Al Braverman, Hamsho's handler entered the ring with the same intention.