This fight was always going to be a cracker. Going into this bout, both Hagler and Hearns had been in excellent form (Hagler had defended his world middleweight crown ten times, nine of those victories by knockout and Hearns had done extremely well at both welterweight and light middleweight) and this was Hearns' first fight at middleweight which added to the intrigue.
So the stage was set. On April 15th 1985, Hagler and Hearns, the two best middleweights in the world would square off for the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, as well as the moniker 'Undisputed Middleweight Champion'.
How Hagler vs. Hearns Went
The first round of this bout is one of the most famous openers in boxing history, because of it's unparalleled action and drama.
Despite usually being a slow starter, Hagler came out with ferocious aggression, trying to work the body of Hearns and pin him up against the ropes. However, unfortunately for him, Hearns, while on the ropes in the opening exchange, caught him with a peach of a right uppercut which dazed Hagler momentarily. 'Marvellous' Marvin shrugged it off though and carried on stalking Hearns, which must have been disheartening to see for Hearns.
Showing his granite chin, he walked through more of Hearns' punches, until the final minute of round one, where Hearns was pinned up against the ropes, and Hagler wailed away on the body and the head of his foe. Hearns was stunned towards the end of the round, but he opened up a terrible cut over the right eye of Hagler.
It would be impossible to give this round either way for definite, as both fighters did significant damage, but Hagler stuck to his gameplan better and towards the end of the round really imposed his will on Hearns.
Hagler opened round two with a vicious left straight signalling his intentions. During the round he switched from orthodox to southpaw, and when he utilised the southpaw stance, he had much success, particularly with the left hook.
Meanwhile, Hearns was trying to box and move but his legs even at this stage looked rubbery. At the end of the round, he found himself on the ropes once again, but this time he was hurt badly by the hard punching of Hagler.
Hearns opened round three well, managing to keep Hagler at bay with a good jab. Hagler at the mid point of the round had to visit the ringside doctor because his cut was dreadful by this point, and maybe, sensing the fight could soon be stopped, Hagler went in for the kill.
The End is Near for Hearns...
Hagler just flew in, and because Hearns' legs were so rubbery, he couldn't move out of the way effectively. Hearns eventually was flattened by a savage left hook which followed a right straight, and despite Hearns bravely getting up at nine, it was evident he had nothing left, and the referee called a halt to a thrilling contest.
Why Is Hagler vs. Hearns So Special?
It is special for countless reasons. The first round of this contest will remain in the hearts of boxing fans forever, just because it is so action packed and brutal.
The heart shown by these warriors is second to none, and the fact that these were undoubtably the two best in the world at this weight just made this a phenomenal bout which will remembered in years to come.
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