Leonard, Duran, Hearns - Marvelous Marvin Hagler's 5 greatest fights

The undisputed middleweight champion from 1982 to 1987 and one of boxing's 'Four Kings' died on Saturday age 66

1). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns - This fight still ranks as the most brutal boxing match in history. Round 1 is written into boxing lore for its frenetic pace that left Hagler bloodied and Hearns with a broken right hand. Herans was decked in the third round and failed to beat the referee's count. Few could blame him. Bettmann Archive

2). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Vito Antuofermo, June 13, 1981 - Hagler was not alone in thinking he had been robbed of victory during their first fight in 1979. He vowed not to leave the decision to the judges for his rematch against former champion Antuofermo. The Italian was knocked down in the third round before his corner stopped the bout to save their man any more punishment. Getty

3). Alan Minter v Marvelous Marvin Hagler, , September 27, 1980 - Hagler travelled to London to face middleweight champion Minter for his second title bout. The buildup was ugly, the tense atmosphere stoked further when Minter was quoted as saying that "No black man is going to take my title" (Minter would later insist he meant "that black man"). Minter's corner called the fight after Hagler had left their man with four deep cuts on his face inside three rounds. Getty

4). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Roberto Duran, November 10, 1983 - Few fighters were as mean as Hagler, but if anyone could match up to him it was Duran. The Panamanian was stepping up in weight and went toe-to-toe with Hagler before a late flourish by the American was enough to earn him a unanimous decision. Duran was the first challenger to last the distance (15 rounds) with Hagler in a world-championship bout. Getty

5). Marvelous Marvin Haglver v Sugar Ray Leonard, April 6, 1987 - Leonard, left, came into the fight after a three-year retirement to face the undisputed middleweight champion riding a 16-win stretch. Leonard fought on the back foot, peppering the champion with jabs and flicks, but Hagler was never hurt and many dispute the judges' decision to award the fight to Leonard. Hagler never fought again. Getty

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler, the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987, died on Saturday at the age of 66.

In a posting on the famed fighter's Facebook page, Kay G Hagler said her husband passed away at the family home in Bartlett, New Hampshire.

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"I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire," she wrote. "Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Hagler fought from 1973 to 1987 and delivered some of the epic bouts in a golden era of the sport, finishing with a record of 62-3 with two drawn and 52 knockouts.

The southpaw's most heralded triumph came in a 1985 matchup at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas against Thomas "Hitman" Hearns that lasted only a tick over eight minutes but was regarded as a classic that became known simply as "The War."

Hagler defended the undisputed crown 12 times, including a 15-round unanimous decision victory over Panama's Roberto Duran in 1983 and his final triumph, an 11th-round knockout of unbeaten Ugandan John Mugabi in 1986.

Hagler's long run as undisputed middleweight champion came to a controversial end in 1987 when he was defeated on points by fellow great "Sugar" Ray Leonard.

He retired after the Leonard fight with a record of 62-3 with two drawn and 52 knockouts and is regarded as one of boxing's great champions and best pound-for-pound fighters of all time.

Hagler's five best fights

1). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, April 15, 1985

Resut: Hagler wins by third round TKO; retains WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles

2). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Vito Antuofermo, June 13, 1981

Result: Antuofermo retires at the beginning of Round 4; Hagler retains WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles

3). Alan Minter v Marvelous Marvin Hagler, September 27, 1980

Result: Hagler wins by third-round TKO and is crowned WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight champion

4). Marvelous Marvin Hagler v Roberto Duran, November 10, 1983

Result: Hagler won by unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles

5). Marvelous Marvin Haglver v Sugar Ray Leonard, April 6, 1987

Result: Leonard wins by split decision; Duran loses WBC and The Ring middleweight titles