Date: 11th February 1983
Venue: DCU Center, Worcester, MassachusettsTitle: WBC & WBA World Middleweight Titles
Promoter: Top Rank
Referee: Carlos Padilla
Tv: HBO Sports
Marvin Hagler
(
55
-
2
-
2
)
Weight: 158ΒΌ lbs
Tony Sibson
(
47
-
3
-
1
)
Weight: 160 lbs
The fight between Marvin Hagler and Tony Sibson on February 11, 1983, was a significant event in the boxing world, with Hagler defending his WBC and WBA World Middleweight titles against the #1 WBC middleweight contender, Sibson. The bout took place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, in front of a sold-out crowd of 14,000. Hagler, with a record of 55-2-2, was determined to assert his dominance, while Sibson, with a record of 47-3-1, was looking to pull off a major upset. Hagler's purse for the fight was $1.1 million, while Sibson earned $557,000.
The fight was a masterclass by Hagler, who showcased his versatility by switching between southpaw and orthodox stances, leaving Sibson bewildered. Hagler established a strong jab early on, which set the tone for the rest of the bout. Hagler cut Sibson over the left eye in the fifth round, further complicating the challenger's task. Sibson's face was severely damaged, with blood dripping from his nose and mouth, and he was unable to mount a consistent offence against Hagler's relentless pressure.
The decisive moment came in the sixth round when Hagler dropped Sibson twice. The first knockdown was a combination of punches, and after Sibson took a standing eight count, he was dropped again. This led to the fight being stopped at 2:40 of the sixth round, with Sibson's corner deciding to halt the contest to prevent further punishment. Boxing News described Hagler's performance as "cold, ruthless perfection," highlighting the vast skill gap between him and Sibson.
Sibson's bravery was evident throughout the fight, but he was ultimately outclassed by Hagler's superior skill and power. Despite his defeat, Sibson gained valuable experience from facing one of the greatest middleweights in history. However, he never fully recovered from the loss, and his subsequent career was marked by flashes of brilliance, but he ultimately fell short of his initial promise.
The fight marked another successful title defence for Hagler, who continued to reign supreme in the middleweight division. His dominance was so pronounced that it raised questions about the quality of his opponents, with many considering the division to be weak during his reign. Nonetheless, Hagler's performance against Sibson reinforced his status as one of the all-time greats, and he would face even more formidable challenges in the future, including his legendary bout against Thomas Hearns.