41 years ago
Marvin Hagler vs Roberto Duran
Date: 10th November 1983
Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Title: WBC, WBA & IBF World Middleweight Titles
Promoter: Bob Arum
Tv: HBO, NBC
Marvin Hagler
(
57
-
2
-
2
)
Weight: 157 1/2 lbs
Roberto Duran
(
77
-
4
-
0
)
Weight: 156 1/2 lbs
After 10 years as a professional with 61 pro bouts on his resume, Marvin Hagler, now officially Marvelous Marvin Hagler, finally got a big-name world title opponent who had achieved more than he had in the sport of boxing. Roberto Duran, simply put, was a legend.
Hagler made the 8th world middleweight title defence of his career at the outdoor arena at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas in front of 14,600 fans. He was a 4-1 favourite and most experts didn't believe the Panamanian would hear the final bell.
Back-to-back losses to Wilfred Benitez and Kirkland Laing in 1982 led many to believe that Duran was finally on the slide but wins over former WBA world welterweight ruler Pipino Cuevas and Davey Moore (WBA Super-welterweight title) brought the 3-weight world champion's stock back to where it belonged.
As so it was to prove as Duran handled the natural size and weight deficit he surrendered to the champion with ease, using smart boxing to keep Hagler busy. By the end of 13 rounds, two judges had Duran ahead by a single point. Hagler had it all to do.
Of course Hagler pulled away in the final two stanzas and bagged a unanimous decision win. Duran gave a great performance, forcing the champion to go the full 15 rounds for the first time in eight title defences.
Marvin Hagler vs Roberto Duran on YouTube
