Hagler vs. Mugabi (1986)

Was lucky enough to have attended this fight in person.  And although we sat in the "nosebleed" seats the energy outside at Caesars that night was something I will never forget.  In the prelim Tommy Hearns KO'd James Shuler with a perfect overhand right in 1st round.    John Mugabi was a MONSTER.....his power was Tyson like.   28 wins, 26 KO's   most before the 3rd round.   Marvin Hagler was the Pound for Pound King.    As in most of his fights Hagler stalked Mugabi.  He showed no respect for "The Beasts" strength.   He walked through shots that wouldve had Heavyweights on the canvas.    Not only did Mugabis gas tank run out but I believe he was beaten mentally.  He had thrown and landed his best shots but in the 11th round Marvelous finished the job with a couple rights to Mugabis head just before the referee stopped it.    RING MAGAZINE   1986   Fight Of The Year

A damed good fight. This was Hagler's second to last fight and I thinks it's fair to say that he was a little battle worn by this time, though he was still a monster and proved it by surviving Mugabi's early attack and stopping Mugabi in the eleventh round. I only saw this fight once and it was over twenty years ago, so it's hard to remember the blow by blow details clearly. What I do remember is that during the fight I was wondering if Hagler might actually lose. They both lived up to their names, Mugabi really was a "Beast" and Hagler proved himself Marvelous" once again. I agree with some of the other reviewers, Mugabi was never quite the same after this fight. Who would be? Hagler had one more fight after this in which he lost a controversial decision to Sugar Ray Leonard.

Just before the fight, John 'the Beast' Mugabi was considered by many to be the perfect fighting machine- one of which was capable of defeating the great Marvin Hagler. And for his credit, Mugabi fought valiantly for the first half of the fight (watch the 6th round- props to ManassaMauler for reminding fight fans). But Mugabi wilted against the 'Marvelous' Marvin as Hagler was able to keep a steady, spartan pace. It is safe to say that Mugabi was never the same again after the beating he eventually succumbed to against one of the greatest middleweights EVER!

This fight was like watching two mountain goats backing up and charging head to head to see which head would crack first. I believe "The Beast" came in 26-0 (with 28 KO's!) and left this fight never to be seriously heard from again. An awesome fight. Something had to give, and it turned out to be "The Beast."

This is a great fight. Admittedly, my favourite fighter, Marvin Hagler, was on the slide by this point. But nevertheless, this fight showed he was still leagues above the rest of the division; he beat up an all time great puncher, five years his junior and the number one contender with a 100% knockout percentage. Hats off to John Mugabi who fought very competitively, but Hagler was never in any serious danger. He kept working Mugabi with the jab and in the last two rounds, kept walking him down, piling on the pressure - Mugabi had to crumble. He eventually did, and the image of the slain Mugabi helplessly looking at Hagler who was motioning for Mugabi to get up and take his beating, sticks in my head. Great fight! P.S. - the sixth round was awesome. one of the best I've seen, especially since it involves my favourite fighter. Since the first minute was slow, I don't rate it above round one of Hagler-Hearns. But the last two minutes of the sixth against Mugabi are among the best in his... Read more

Good...but if I remember right,this was Hagler's fight after World War III with Hearns-and I remember thinking that he had slipped-Mugabi was pretty much just a one dimentional puncher.If they fought a little earlier,I don't think Mugabi would've given Hagler much competition.