Mythical Matchups: Marvelous Marvin Hagler Vs Carlos Monzon

Our next mythical matchup is one of the most speculated upon in boxing history as two consensus top five all-time Middleweights do battle. Marvelous Marvin Hagler ruled the Middleweight division with an iron fist for a six and one-half year period between 1980 and 1987, defending 12 times with 11 stoppages. The Marvelous One defeated men such as Willie “The Worm” Monroe, Cyclone Hart, Bennie Briscoe, Vito Antuofermo, Alan Minter, Tony Sibson, Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi among numerous others. The Hagler who enters this fight is 29 years of age and coming off his 6th round thrashing of Tony Sibson in February 1983. Marvelous Marvin’s record is 56-2-2, 47 KOs.

Carlos “Escopeta” Monzon was equally dominant over the course of the 1970’s. Monzon won the Middleweight championship with a victory over fellow hall of famer Nino Benvenuti in 1970 and went on to defend 14 times during his nearly seven year title reign. He defeated such legendary fighters as Benvenuti, Bennie Briscoe, Emile Griffith, Jose Napoles and Rodrigo Valdez. Monzon, at age 30, enters this fight coming off his unanimous decision victory over Briscoe in November 1972. His record is an incredible 78-3-9, 53 KOs.
Hagler vs Monzon. Which Middleweight icon will reign supreme? Now, we’ll find out.

Let’s Settle This in the Ring!

Over 75,000 fans have gathered at Wembley Stadium in London to witness this titanic Middleweight showdown. This fight has been labelled as a pick em’ by the Las Vegas odds makers and boxing experts are equally divided in their opinions of who the winner will be. Bob Arum has put together a spectacular undercard including: John H. Stracey vs Colin Jones, Alan Minter vs Juan Domingo Roldan and Frank Bruno vs Oscar Bonavena. Jones scores a 5th round knockdown on the way to winning a close majority decision over Stracey. Roldan rallies from behind to stop Minter in the 14th round. Finally, Bonavena wins by a shocking 4th round knockout over Bruno.

An exciting evening of boxing has set the stage for our main event. Both men enter the ring shortly after 4 AM London time. The 5’9’’ Hagler enters the ring wearing Maroon trunks with white trim and weighs 159 ½ lbs. Monzon wears white trimmed with black and weighs 159. At 5’11 ½’’, Monzon enjoys a 2 ½ inch height advantage against Hagler. The final introductions and instruction have been issued and the fighters await the bell for the start of round one.

The pace is slow in Round One as both men look to feel each other out. Monzon’s has a slight edge on the outside landing a couple of good left jabs to the bald dome of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Round Two continues to be a tactical battle with Monzon have a slight edge at long range. Late in the round, Hagler nails Monzon with a hard left to the body. However, Escopeta responds with a wicked right which snaps Hagler’s head back. As we move into the 3rd round, Marvelous Marvin is trying to find his way inside but can’t get past Monzon’s left jab and right hand. Monzon is simply picking him apart at long range. Hagler is suffering from a slight cut over his left eye as the round comes to a close.

The Marvelous One begins to find the range with accurate punches in the fourth round. He is now slipping the Monzon jab and cleverly switching between the southpaw and orthodox stance to keep him off balance. A straight left from Hagler snaps Monzon’s head back as the round comes to a close. In Round Five, Hagler works his way inside and bangs away to the body of Monzon. He’s clearly the quicker fighter and this is now paying dividends. Late in the round, Hagler lands a tremendous right from the orthodox stance that staggers Monzon. Monzon is forced to hold as the fifth comes to a close. The action really heats up and Round Six. Hagler has the better of it early, forcing Monzon to the ropes and teeing off to the body and head. However, Escopeta rallies over the final minute, catching Hagler with wicked counter rights that back him off. A Hagler right hook snaps Monzon’s head back as the round comes to a close.

Hagler continues to have the better of the action in Round Seven as the action is primarily on the inside. Monzon lands the occasional counter right which catches the attention of the Marvelous One. But overall it’s Hagler who is landing the cleaner, harder punches. Monzon seems discouraged as he returns to the corner. The pace is torrid in Round 8 as the fighters go toe to toe on the inside. Escopeta lands a wicked left hook early which shakes Hagler. However, Marvelous Marvin responds late in the round with a nasty left uppercut that drives Monzon to the ropes. The crowd is on its feet as the 8th round comes to a close.

Hagler pounds away at Monzon on the inside over the first half of Round 9. However, with just over one minute remaining he walks into a right uppercut from Escopeta which hurts him. Monzon follows up with crisp combinations. With seconds remaining, Monzon a vicious right cross which stuns Hagler again. After the punishment he took in the previous round, Hagler is much more cautious in the 10th. Monzon seizes the momentum, keeping him on the end of his jab and raking him with hard right crosses. By the end of the 10th, the bleeding over Hagler’s left eye has become much worse.

A bloodied Hagler comes out like a man possessed for Round 11. He forces Monzon to the ropes and batters him to the body and head. A left hook from the orthodox stance nearly tears Monzon’s head off. Monzon gamely fires back, momentarily backing Hagler off with a right uppercut. However, Marvelous Marvin is relentless, punishing Monzon with hard, accurate punches. Escopeta fires back but Hagler’s punches are quicker and sharper. Hagler continues his momentum into the 12th round continuing to punish Monzon along the ropes. Midway through the round he lands a right hook which staggers Monzon. The Marvelous One follows up with a straight left which sends Monzon to the canvas. Monzon rises at the count of 7 but is badly hurt. Hagler moves in for the kill battering Monzon along the ropes. Monzon courageously manages to survive the onslaught.

Monzon is still on unsteady legs as he goes out for the 13th. Hagler presses the attack looking for an opportunity to finish his adversary. The Marvelous One lands a hard right from the orthodox stance which shakes Monzon again. Hagler pounds away at him against the ropes while Monzon tries to hold. The tide turns however when Escopeta lands a desperation right hand which rocks Hagler late in the round. Marvelous Marvin is now bleeding profusely above his left eye.

Hagler’s corner tries to stem the tide of blood but is only partially successful. By the middle of Round 14 his face is a river of blood. Monzon tags him repeatedly sharp, accurate punches. He lands a left hook, right cross combination which drives Hagler to the ropes. Hagler tries to fire back but his compromised vision leaves him at a severe disadvantage. The Marvelous One survives but as the round comes to a close, he is in serious trouble.

The ring doctor goes to Hagler’s corner between rounds looks ready to stop the fight. However, he and his corner vehemently protest and the doctor relents. Marvelous Marvin takes a bad beating over the first half of the round. Escopeta staggers him with a hard right. However, just when referee Stanley Christodoulou appears ready to stop the fight, Hagler lands a tremendous three punch combination which buckles Monzon’s knees. The men go toe to toe in furious action over the next 30 seconds. By the time the clock reaches 45 seconds both men are exhausted and are reduced to clutching and holding. A Monzon right with 15 seconds remaining snaps Hagler’s head back. Marvelous Marvin responds with a straight left that shakes Monzon. The bell rings and the fight has come to an end. The crowd roars in approval.

The fight goes to the scorecards and ringsiders are waiting in breathless anticipation of who will win the decision in this incredibly close fight:

Judge Ove Ovesen scores 144-142 Monzon
Judge Guy Jutras scores 143-141 Hagler
Judge Ken Morita scores 143-142 Hagler

The winner by split decision is Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

In the post-fight interviews, Marvelous Marvin says: “This is a great victory. Monzon is a great champion with a lot of heart but I knew I would get to him eventually. Finally, the judges did the right thing by me but I don’t think the fight was that close. I beat him fair and square. I’ve worked hard and this is my time at the top now.”

Monzon is angry in his post-fight interview. Through a translator he says: “Yes, Hagler is a good fighter but I won. I busted him up and the judges stole it from me. He never hurt me and the only reason for the knockdown was I was off-balance. Hagler is a good fighter but I am a great one. Next time I knock his ass out.”
Perhaps a rematch might be in order for this one?

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