44 years ago

Date: 30th November 1979

Venue: Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas

Title: WBC & WBA World Middleweight Titles

Promoter: Bob Arum

Tv: ABC Sports

Vito Antuofermo
( 45 - 3 - 1 )
Weight: 158 1/2 lbs

Marvin Hagler
( 46 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 158 1/2 lbs

Italian-born and Brooklyn, New York-bred, Vito Antuofermo won the undisputed world middleweight championship in Monaco, the tiny principality which sits between the French Riviera and the Italian region of Liguria. He defeated tough Argentine champion Hugo Pastor Corro in a close split-decision victory.

Antuofermo's first defence came five months later against Brocton, Massachusetts challenger Marvin Hagler. Sharing top-billing with the welterweight championship bout between defending champion Wilfred Benitez and challenger Ray Leonard at Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Hagler's superior skillset was apparent from the first bell to the last but, no-one ever had an easy night against Antuofermo and the rough, tough, brawler from Brooklyn never stopped coming forward no matter what Hagler hit him with.

Antuofermo finished the fight with six cuts around his eyes that required 25 stitches in four of them and although referee Mills lane, most of the crowd and the ABC Sorts tv analysts and other onlookers all felt that Hagler had done enough to take the title, the judges ruled it a split decision draw.

Scores: Duane Ford 141-145 | Hal Miller 143-143 | Dalby Shirley 144-142