@@bysonchi there have been a lot of great middle weight boxers, including SRR, but MMH was a different animal altogether, no one could hurt Hagler, he just kept going forward , the toughest chin in boxing history.
Mugabi hit Hagler a shot (I don't remember what round) that would have dropped most heavyweights, Hagler just shrugged it off, one of the best chins in boxing history!
Hagler was not a normal human bro... The bones of his skull the special strong structure..built this iron head. The neck muscles of him give stability if he will eat a jab or cross.
@@MrDuds1984 Leonard would've spent their fight running away and taunting Hagler whether there had been a previous Mugabi fight or not. Remember, it was well over two years after Hagler v. Mugabi.
To Mr. Mugabi. Thank you for the thrilling memories. Your warrior heart and being true to boxing’s legacy! SIR! There is no middle weight in the world today who could stand with you! I truly hope that makes you feel good! I remember you and I love you! And by the way I thought you would defeat Marvelous Marvin Hagler at that time ! Amazingly incredible memories!!!! If it’s any comfort only Mr. Hagler would defeat you in your prime . PEACE BROTHER ✌🏾
@@keithbennett1352 Good WORD. The credit belongs the man who is actually in the arena; Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; Who knows the great enthusiasms and great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; Who, if at best wins, knows the thrills of high achievement; but if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls, who know neither victory nor defeat. Thanks John Mugabi. ✝🥊🙏
Thanks for the documentary and tribute to the beast,rich.I always thought that John fought a disciplined fight against Marvelous Marvin and it showed Hagler's greatness that not only did he beat Mugabe but John was never the same fighter again.Its good to see the beast seemingly content training fighters
That fight between marvelous and the beast was a brutal there's not a lot of footage of that fight that you can watch but if you ever get a chance to see that fight you watch that fight again because that was as brutal as any fight I've ever seen and that includes hearns hagler that was a brutal brutal fight over a long period of time
I'm really glad this story had a happy ending and he's coaching/earning a good living. Too many sad stories of high profile boxers ending their careers on the wrong side of their success.
That right hand may get my vote for the best jab in the history of boxing. Liston gets my vote for 2nd best irrespective of weight class. That jab destroyed opponents.
@@billyrayvalentine8471 Hagler wrecked the Beast and the Beast took a big toll on Hagler! It was the kind of fight where both men fight their peak fight the same night and both leave the ring diminished.
I remember the Hagler fight well. If someone said Hagler was the best Middleweight ever, I would not argue with them. Mugabi was like Tyson, until he fought Hagler. Great documentary. Thank you for doing it.
Hagler has to be up there, not saying he's the greatest ever, but there can't be many who were as consistent for so long as Hagler. Probably my fav fighter ever, for good reason.
@@crewcab1984rv yeah I'd say that's possible , although I've not studied the careers of fighters like Harry Greb, Bob Fitzsimmons, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony Gale or Carlos Monzon, but other than Monzon, none of them were champ anywhere near as long as Hagler. I put Hagler above anyone since his reign, largely as non were undisputed for any real period of time, if at all, and most didn't stay at MW as a champ for long at all. Aside BHop and GGG I don't think the others come remotely close.
His hagler fight was in my eyes the best fight I've ever seen. Even better than hagler v hearns. Mugabis only trouble was that there was a hagler. He'd have ruled any other era
it is true of many fighters who were never champions because of the ear, and also several champions who would not have been champions in any other time.
Hagler v Mugabi is probably the toughest fight that I can recall ; credit to both men but Mugabi was effectively ruined due to this gruelling encounter IMO.
Was either man the same after that fight Lenard would never fight him. No big names would until after MH beat him up. Hagler foughtt this guy after Hearn's? nuts
@@pamle1 .. but more importantly he was a power punching brawler that was never going to give the paying audience a dancing lesson. He never had the goal of winning a fight by winning round counts. He was the man's man of boxing ! He and Hagler two of a kind. We love you John Mugabi !!
@@paulg444 He was never the same after the Hagler bout. Other boxers might bounce back, but his Will was broken that night. After that, even his muscle tone wasn't the same; he was just another boxer... not a beast. Prior to that, even if a guy was well protected with his gloves up... Mugabi would just punch right through all of it. A destroyer in the ring. Hagler deserved a lot of credit for beating him; his last great fight. John Mugabi was possibly the greatest boxer who never won a world title in the last 50 years.
It was the only time I betted against Hagler, figuring the "Beast" would catch him with that right. He showed much respect for Hagler curing the fight but never came close to knocking Marvelous Marvin down or out, neither did Thomas Hearns. Best ten bucks I ever lost. Big time Hagler fan back then.
@@RichtheFightHistorian , I agree with Chicago Mike. Kudos to you my friend. I hadn't seen any of the footage of Mugabi's fight with "Hardrock" Green in ages. I'd forgotten just how close Green came to knocking Mugabi out in the 3rd round of their fight. Probably the toughest fighter with that kind of real power himself that Mugabi faced up to that point until he finally ran into the wrecking machine known as Marvellous Marvin.
@@GBeret83 Note: James (Hard Rock) Green in now living in the great state of New Jersey and proudly working as a full-time school janitor. 🥊🥊🥊👍 The students in that school better watch their P's and Q's if they don't wanna get crushed by the original (Rock).
MUGABI JUST WANTED THE BASIC THINGS AMERICANS HAD. ONCE HE OBTAINED IT HE WAS ADDICTED TO IT. HE WANTED TO SPOIL HIS FRIENDS AND DO WHAT EVER HE WANTED. NOW HE'S FINALLY AT PEACE.🙂 GREAT VIDEO!
It's astonishing he didn't take preparing for Hagler seriously. Always amazes me when fighters get so arrogant they stop listening to their camp. Seems to be a hallmark of boxing success. I've always admired Hagler. That's what focus and determination look like!
Yes, he was very unfortunate to be at his prime when Hagler was about, if he'd been at his prime 3 or 4 years later I think he could have won a version of the MW title, it was much easier to become a MW 'champ' once Hagler left the scene.
@@SPIDERM0OSE not as highly as I rate Hagler. They came up in a different era. Hagler fought when the MW title was unified. Hopkins fought when there were multiple champs, and therefore by definition, a weaker selection of contenders. Don't get me wrong, Hopkins was good. I didn't find him exciting/attractive to watch, but he was a pretty special talent.
@@andrewgibbs7279 I respect his talent too but like you I don't think his reign is comparable to Haglers. Super Middleweight made the Middleweight division an afterthought during Hopkins reign n instead of chasing a rematch with Roy Jones or a big money showdown with James Toney he was calling out Welterweights like De La Hoya & Trinidad, it reeked of chickenshitism For a Champion to call out anyone he doesn't have a long standing beef with is disgraceful & proves hes no champion. For a champion to call out someone from a division or 2 divisions below him is beyond disgraceful, its pathetic. Im not talking about answering a question about a good smaller champion n saying he can get it if he moves up in weight, Im talking about ducking a rematch with a man who gave him a humiliating boxing lesson on the biggest stage, has he no pride ? Ducking a showdown with James Toney n restoring his damaged reputation to instead call out, fight & beat smaller men while being undisputed in a division the big guns had long ago left behind, making it a safe place to play. He done some admirable if not great things after he left the Middleweight division but for me he isnt ranked as a Middleweight on the all time list, he isn't even in the conversation.
@@SPIDERM0OSE yeah, very true about SMW, the likes of Jones and Toney fought there breifly before moving up further. Toney v Hopkins would've been a good one for sure, but by the time Hopkins won a version of the MW title Toney was up around LHW I think... After Jones beat him at SMW. I thought Hopkins often stunk the joint out too, very awkward and unattractive style.
Dear Mr. Rich, I've been a boxing fan since I was five years old and I'm pushing 70. I've seen almost every boxing documentary available on American television (and a few from overseas) throughout the past six decades and for what it's worth, I consider yours to be among the very best on the www. Because of such stellar content I've joined your legion of admirers and have become your newest Subscriber and Devotee to your channel. I very much look forward to viewing all the content your channel has to offer. Respectfully, Uncle Le😎
Great documentary! In his prime, Mugabi was a Beast, a relentless pressure fighter with devastating power and a solid chin. Imagine Mugabi v Hearns around '84/85! that wouldve been so explosive. He gave Hagler one of his toughest fights, but was ultimately ground down and stopped. Hagler and a lack of discipline pretty much finished him. Although he won the WBC SWW title in' 89, he wasn't the same fighter, Norris and McClellan both KO'd a shot Mugabi in 1, in the early '90s. Still, for 5 years he was an absolute beast, great to be able to relive those years in videos like this. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for making this. Another great doc! I distinctly remember his rise, the win over Parker was shocking at the time. Not just because Parker was reputed to have steel chin, but that Mugabi hit him with some of the most powerful bombs, flush to the face, I had seen. Then of course came the Hagler fight. The same blows that destroyed other fighters didn't seem to phase Hagler. In the end, Marvin didn't just KO Mugabi, he completely broke him.
I have never been a follower of boxing nor had any interest in the sport. But I find your documentaries so insightful, well-done, and just completely exceptional that I love watching them. Really great work, man. 10/10. I'm addicted! And I'm beginning to understand and appreciate different styles and strategies. Top notch stuff, all the way.
This has become my favourite channel on UA-cam another great video, really enjoyed it. I been watching mugabe a lot recently to, he destroyed Curtis Parker a real gatekeeper and supposedly a real top gym fighter destroying sparring partners. Love the footage and content thankyou and keep up the great work!
i remember the first time he was on american tv. they heard his trainer telling him to not knockout his opponent too fast so the audience could see him fight longer
Most people don't know that John Mugabi was Ring magazine 's number 1 contender to Haglers crown when they fought (ref:Rummey's Corner: Hagler career recap
This is another good one, Rich. I like the way each story -- and these fighters are all interesting and unique people with their own stories -- has a lot of archival footage of the boxers in the fights you (the narrator) is talking about. You've added to boxing's rich history with your little library of films. Great job, and thanks.
Mugabi was a tough son-of-a-bitch, but he had the misfortune of running into someone just as mean and more skilled in the late, great Marvellous Marvin Hagler. But even Hagler took awhile to finally wear Mugabi out and put him down to stay.
Imagine what Mugabi must have been thinking as he landed his money punches on Hagler and Hagler never flinched. These were punches that had put his other opponents down and out. As the fight wore on Hagler began to wear him down, but it was a war. Hagler had knots on his head after the fight.
Yeah Mugabi gave Hagler a tough fight alright and Hagler felt his power, but Hagler was a different animal, a fully conditioned fighting machine, with steely determination, under rated technical skills, a high workrate, good power and a great chin, so even a prime Mugabi couldn't beat an arguable slipping Hagler. Kind of puts Haglers greatness into perspective, and also how good Mugabi was at this stage.
@magiclittle fingers2020 Duran. Duran totally bypassed junior welterweight when he vacated his undisputed lightweight titles. He then beat a prime welterweight champion who is a top 3 welterweight all time. I have lots of respect for Pryor but prime Duran is a p4p top ten all time fighter. He is the greatest lightweight ever.
I think Jackson would’ve won that fight because “The Hawk” had too many KO tools in his arsenal and, as we saw here, “The Beast” didn’t know how to tie up.
I think Thomas Hearns would’ve smoked Mugabi they way he smoked Duran. He hit Duran and Duran fell face first!! It was Duran’s only KO’d by in his career!! As they were saying at ringside, when they fall face first they don’t get up!! Remember how he smoked Pipino Cuevas who was supposed the power puncher in their encounter. Hearns hit Cuevas that right cross it lifted Pipino’s right leg up off the canvas and sent him reeling back on his left leg trying not to fall. He got knocked out seconds later.
Lets all keep in mind... Mugabi drank beer in his prime and lots of it. I pay per viewed his fight with Hagler and felt Migabi had the style and punch to topple Hagler. Only 15 dollars ppv can you believe that! Because of Johns natural punching power and lack of elite dicipline imo it was a roadblock to him fully developing all his raw abilities. The narrator aludes to all this and I recall reading about the drinking in various articles of the day back then. So.. Imo a fighter who helped others in need and probably deep down didnt care for hurting people as he needed money. John is a good soul down deep and has always praised Haglers victory unlike someone.... who lost to SRL. Good fighter that imo missed being great for his own reasons. Great TV era of fighters from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s.
Hagler didn't "loose to SLR" he lost to the Las Vegas Box'g Commission. His last fight, and a milestone in a long, long career, and they ripped him off for payback because he blew the whistle and sued the governing bodies to get a title shot.
He was all offense and he was tremendous!!! The problem is he didn't develop defense because he knocked everyone out. After the Hagler fight he was damaged goods!!!
@@kidmack3556 hagler was robbed. he had to agree to 12 rounds to get his biggest payday. hagler was going hard to the body starting in the 8th. if it had gone 15, srl would still be unconscious.
John "The Beast" Mugabi, Uganda. 42-7-1, KO's 39. # WBC Light Middleweight Champion of the World: 1989-1990. # 2-time World Middleweight Title challanger: 1986 (lost by KO 11 to Marvin Hagler) & 1991 (lost by TKO 1 to Gerald McClellan). # vacant WBC World Light Middleweight Title challanger: 1986 (lost by TKO 3 to Duane Thomas). Most notable victories: Rene Jacquot, Eddie Gazo, Gary Guiden & Curtis Parker. Most notable losses: Marvin Hagler, Gerald McClellan, Terry Norris, Duane Thomas, William Bo James & Glenn Kelly.
Neither Mugabi or Hagler were ever the same after their fight... Mugabi was so stubborn and hit Hagler with an uppercut that would've KOed a horse, but Hagler with an all-time chin just walked him down and beat the fighter out of Mugabi... my favorite Hagler fight as it pushed Marvin very hard, but Marvin wasn't going anywhere... the Leonard fight broke my heart as I was a huge Hagler fan... it also permanently soured Marvin on boxing... a sport he gave everything too
I met Mugabi once when he csme home to Uganda after fighting Hagler. He gave me his autograph. I am suprised to hear he only spoke Swahili and thst he comes from Tooro(my father's middle name is Mugabi) . Be that as it may Mugabi spoke fluent Luganda at least to me
John Mugabi 1983-86 was maybe the greatest fighter who didn't win a world title, of the past 50 years. If you shrunk a prime 228 lb George Foreman down to 5'8"... you would have John Mugabi. Opponents could try to "block" his punches, but Mugabi would just blast through the damn blocks! He destroyed opponents!
I've really got to try & catch up with your back catalogue Rich. This upload is another belter. I had seen Mugabi only once before his fight with Marvin, briefly v Nino Gonzalez, but hardly remember it. I was there to watch Frank Bruno's comeback fight & to see Herol Graham. Really well edited & first class narration. Bless up bro 👊
One of my favorites growing up. I knew that Fletcher fight was a can't miss affair. "Welcome to the wild kingdom". I will never forget those memories of real warriors and less politics. If you want to be sure you win don't leave it to the judges. Thanks for the video.
Infinite props and success Rich, what a masterpiece, your narrating and editing skills grow with each post. 19:17, the escalation of music and the clip of an unforgettable fight was EPIC!! It defined Boxing in a nutshell.
Excellent documentary coupled with exciting and perfect music score. Thank you and hope to see more. Can you do one on Gaeton Hart of Montreal Canada ?
Mugabi was in deep trouble against James "hard rock" Green but somehow survived and came back to knock out Green, who was actually a good boxer in spite of his short stature. Mugabi always lacked defensive skills and it cost him, first against Marvin Hagler and later in his career as well.
@@TheHumbuckerboy Hagler really had an iron chin, never knocked off his feet. You knew that Mugabi was in for a long night of boxing against Hagler, who went to the body and wore Mugabi down.
As a life long John Mugabi fan I have to say this is very good. The only thing is I think Duff insisted on not having thumbless gloves for the Duane Thomas fight. Mugabi was on top and should have won but coming from 195 to 154 in 7 weeks is too much.
A monster, Mugabi. Always a pleasure to see Marvelous. I saw their battle rooting for Hagler, my favorite, all the way. I worried a bunch of times. I rate that fight above the Super Fight.
What a good story on mugabi hagler mugabi a war. I remember a few of thos early fights of john, Of the 4 kings. The real one took on the beast. What an era.
I saw him growing up,he destroyed at least his first 20 pro opponents,he was like Tyson before Tyson,would have been cool if he could have kept dominating!!!
I do remember The Beast! He wasn't called that for nothing. However, Marvelous M.H. tamed the Beast in him & KO'ed him. For me, if The Hagler/Hearns has the best Round 1 or Best Round of all time, then this fight has got to be in the Top 3 of Best Fight of all time. Here we see the gr8ness of Hagler being the Winner of not just 1 but 2 very notable fights! Cool!
I'll never forget that fight with the Beast and Hagler. The only guy I EVER saw hit Marvelous and had him VISIBLY hurt, other than Hearns. And imho, he hurt him worse than Hitman. There will only ever be one BEAST and his name is Mugabi.
The Beast would've flat out KO'd most of the heavyweight division of that era. Incredible that Hagler had the courage to take him on, let alone knock him out. Duran, Hearns, Barkley & easily Sugar Ray Leonard would've all been destroyed by Mugabi. That fight was top 5 all time. Mugabi was a true titan. Great video.
Taking on Norris at that age?!!! What was he thinking? IMO JM nearly broke into the super elite of that time but was way to undisciplined to get there ... so many missed hooks... all bombs... Another brilliant vid.
I call him a Universal Soldier. He had it all. Tactics, technique, stamina, firepower, durability, defense, attack. You name it, he had it & he had it all in both stances. Preparing for Hagler was like preparing for at least 4 different fighters 1: Orthodox pressure fighter on a seek & destroy mission 2: Southpaw pressure fighter on a seek & destroy mission. 3: Crafty, streetwise, Orthodox boxer/puncher using the ring & superior tactics to display his superior boxing finesse to systematically slice you up n take you apart piece by piece like a patient piranha fish. 4: Crafty streetwise, Southpaw boxer/puncher using the ring & superior tactics to display his superior boxing finesse to systematically slice you up n take you apart piece by piece like a patient piranha fish. Now consider all of the above n recognize that he isnt goofing off with sparring partners or trying it out for size in regional shows vs local bums, he doing it all at the very highest level vs the very best in the world, under the brightest lights, for the most money in history up until then, so therefore hes doing it all under the highest pressure. So add that to .. 5: He was all of the above n could be either or all of those opponents in one single fight, he could switch it up between rounds. He could switch it up during a single round ! When you're talking about the best Middleweight since 1980, the modern era, you start with Marvin Hagler n try to explain or argue why so n so might be above him. Hagler is the Middleweight *ALL* Middleweights since 1980 are judged by.
@Melvin Deeply Foreman vs Holmes is the one we missed out on. Earnie alwys had a punchers chance but Foreman n Holmes were a cut above him. I met Earnie when he was working as a bouncer in Liverpool. Cool guy once he realized I wasn't an asshole, he talked to me about his career & fighting Muhamad Ali, who he was disappointed never to get a rematch with.
Hearns had suffered that devastating loss to Hagler, he was the one who needed to get his head right, not Mugabi who had KOd everyone he had ever faced until that point. Before his loss to Hagler, Hearns coulda broken him but he had to be carefully rebuilt after it. Mugabi was never successfully refurbished after Hagler dismantled him so he woulda been easy work for the refurbished #Hitman It took Tommy maybe 10 fights including his loss to Barkley to get over his loss to Hagler. Hearns was a warrior, an old school gun slinger, overcoming those Losses n his loss to Leonard n then hunting down rematches against them proves the warrior he is more than any of his wins. Tommy Hearns is a p4p all time great.
@Melvin Deeply Woulda been a great scrap. They're only 2 years apart in age I think. Mid 70s Holmes v Foreman woulda been the fight that Ali was promising to deliver before serving up the rope-a-dope. Holmes up on his toes, doing his Ali impersonation, boxing behind his jab, hitting n moving. Foreman doing his Frankenstein impersonation, walking him down swinging sledge hammers. Woulda been a great scrap. Woulda been a great scrap even in the 90s when both were active. I rekon George KO's Holmes in the 70's but Holmes reasonably comfortably outpoints George in the 90s
If Mugabi was more disciplined and followed his trainers advice could've been the next Hagler/Monzon a blend of skill and strength stamina and will reigning for years.......like they did.
Fantastic docu mate. It really captures just how imposing an opponent that Mugabi was n it highlights just how great Hagler had to be to beat him. I rekon that was the toughest fight of Haglers career & dare I say it, his greatest performance. That fight was pure WAR n it wasn't gonna end until one man was broken. Hagler was something else.
Hagler was a few years past prime but his performance was awesome in this fight. He took shots that only 2 middleweights ever could have taken. Obviously himself being one and the other would be Jake LaMotta. Hagler walked through punches that were putting other fighters away. He was tough and had to be in this one.
@@bobbywise2313 It was a great scrap. I dunno if Hagler was past his prime, late bloomers exist & it looked like the performance of his career to me. I think he was fighter of the year coming off the Hearns win & was reigning Undisputed p4p, nobody was arguing that Hagler wasn't *THEE MAN* Same as when he fought Leonard, he was the recognized p4p & had been for 5 years in a row. Prophets of disaster were looking at him as they do everyone n predicting his demise in the knowledge that one day they would be correct. Prefight he didnt n couldn't look past his prime to anyone outside his camp & even then I would be suspicious of how closely they were working with him, Hagler was a lone wolf, done things his own way, so no trainer could look at him n say until after the event. Id say it was his toughest fight since the first Antifermo fight. Sibson & Hamsho gave him minor moments as did Hearns but if I had to pick one fight to display Haglers greatness it would be this one & this documentary portrays Mugabi in the light that fight deserved. As for chins, for sure Hagler had a great one but I doubt you have ever seen La Mottas. Today GGG & Canelo have displayed great chins. Before them Hopkins too had a great chin with honorable mentions to Roy Jones & James Toney who didn't hang around long enough to be remembered as middleweights but both had great chins too.
@@SPIDERM0OSE I think Hagler peaked around from 81 to 82. He lost some of the fire after that and was fighting less often. He was getting up in years also. Remember Hagler had a hard road to the title and had been in a lot of wars before 1979. But he was still the toughest middleweight in the world in 1986. He could take all those hard punches from Mugabi and return his own. But Hagler was a more skilled boxer than Mugabi and was trained to go 15 to rounds. By the mid rounds Hagler's punches were landing with more authority than Mugabi's. From around round 8 on I think it was inevitable that the Beast would fall. Was Mugabi better than Antufermo, Rodan, Hamsho or Hearns? I am not sure. Rodan vs Mugabe would have been a classic. I think Antufermo would have beat Mugabi. Although Antufermo had a tendency to cut. Hearns would be a toss up. If Tommy connected with his right first it might have been over but in a brawl I see Mugabi stopping Hearns.
@@bobbywise2313 Hagler was the recognized p4p #1 from 82-87 & he only went the distance twice in that time against little known nobodies called *ROBERTO DURAN & SUGAR RAY LEONARD* His KO percentage was up, his punches thrown to punches landed ratio was up & the percentage of his opponents punches landing on him were down, all after 1982. But yea, yer right, he wasnt half the fighter he was before 82 😏 So tell us, what fighter from Haglers era or any era before or since it has had an easy path to the title, n keep it to undisputed champions which is what Hagler was. From where Im sitting you are talking about an era you haven't experienced outside of watching YT highlights n bullshitting about it. Hagler v Sibson was an absolute boxing master class, maybe the most perfect display of all Haglers Talents. His destruction of the big Venezuelan & Hamsho in their rematchs was way more impressive than their first fights. What are you basing yer notions on, if not make believe attention seeking bullshit ?
No beating chests, no hip hop posing, no shoulder rolls or talk of making “business decisions”, just two men in the ring who fight for glory and really fight to the end.
Had Mugabi never faced MMH it's possible he would have held the Middleweight title for years. Unfortunately, The Hagler fight destroyed Mugabi physically and psychologically. Thought it came at the end of MMH's glorious career there were few fighters that Hagler levied such a sustained beating on. That beating was Hagler's way of respecting The Beast's power and skill, "Destruction and Destroy".
Great piece📽👌🏾💯. John Magabi was a great fighter and I rank him in my top 5 middleweight's as 1 of the toughest pound for pound fighters and if he would of been more strict on his self and more discipline when it came down to him training and staying in shape then maybe he could of 1 day became the undisputed middleweight champion of the world 🤔who knows 🥊🏆💯
We knew Hagler was great, but sometimes many, would forget just how great he was. Taking down the Beast was no small feat.
And the way he did it too. He went out and showed the Beast that he was an immovable object. Hagler had the skills to match his will.
Ha! Cool. I took a moment in my comment to laud Marvin. That man was incredible
Hagler arguably the greatest middleweight of all time.
@@davidmclachlan6592 I got him second to Sugar Ray Robinson.
@@bysonchi there have been a lot of great middle weight boxers, including SRR, but MMH was a different animal altogether, no one could hurt Hagler, he just kept going forward , the toughest chin in boxing history.
Mugabi hit Hagler a shot (I don't remember what round) that would have dropped most heavyweights, Hagler just shrugged it off, one of the best chins in boxing history!
Hagler was not a normal human bro... The bones of his skull the special strong structure..built this iron head. The neck muscles of him give stability if he will eat a jab or cross.
Hagler had the best chin in boxing history unbreakable
An upper-cut as far as I remember ?
Add an iron will equal to none, Hagler was just different. Hardest boxer p4p IMO
Yeah he hit haglar with a right uppercut that would have knocked out anybody else, but haglar took it well.
Both, Mugabi and Hagler were not the same after their fight, to call brutal that fight is an understatement...
The Mugabi fight is what SLR said he used as motivation to call out Hagler for their eventual fight in 87
I watched that fight when I was a teenager, immediately got fully hooked on boxing. Brutal fight, one of the best to watch no doubt.
Probably the most brutal fight that I can recall watching !
@@MrDuds1984
Leonard would've spent their fight running away and taunting Hagler whether there had been a previous Mugabi fight or not.
Remember, it was well over two years after Hagler v. Mugabi.
@@kidmack3556 it was a year, Mugabi was April 86, Leonard was April 87
Thank you for posting this, What a documentary!!!!
I am happy John Mugabi is doing well in Australia....What a warrior!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
To Mr. Mugabi. Thank you for the thrilling memories. Your warrior heart and being true to boxing’s legacy! SIR! There is no middle weight in the world today who could stand with you! I truly hope that makes you feel good! I remember you and I love you! And by the way I thought you would defeat Marvelous Marvin Hagler at that time ! Amazingly incredible memories!!!! If it’s any comfort only Mr. Hagler would defeat you in your prime . PEACE BROTHER ✌🏾
@@keithbennett1352
Good WORD.
The credit belongs the man who is actually in the arena;
Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
Who knows the great enthusiasms and great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause;
Who, if at best wins, knows the thrills of high achievement; but if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls, who know neither victory nor defeat.
Thanks John Mugabi. ✝🥊🙏
I just found out about this channel three-four days ago and, man, what a find! This was another excellent documentary.
I found out about it today, some channel
Just found channel love it
Thanks for the documentary and tribute to the beast,rich.I always thought that John fought a disciplined fight against Marvelous Marvin and it showed Hagler's greatness that not only did he beat Mugabe but John was never the same fighter again.Its good to see the beast seemingly content training fighters
Yes, Mugabi would have been competitive with any middle in history on that night. Really showed how great Hagler was.
That fight between marvelous and the beast was a brutal there's not a lot of footage of that fight that you can watch but if you ever get a chance to see that fight you watch that fight again because that was as brutal as any fight I've ever seen and that includes hearns hagler that was a brutal brutal fight over a long period of time
Hagler had one of the best if not the best chins in middleweight history (RIP)
I'm really glad this story had a happy ending and he's coaching/earning a good living. Too many sad stories of high profile boxers ending their careers on the wrong side of their success.
If only he'd have trained as hard as the top boys ... Hearns would have fallen after , and a Hagler rematch .
It has to be frightening to hit a man with everything you have over and over again, and he keeps coming. That was Marvin. He was a monster.
Yes & you never saw Hearns, Leanard, Duran, or Iran Barkley fight the beast. Only Hagler did.
That right hand may get my vote for the best jab in the history of boxing. Liston gets my vote for 2nd best irrespective of weight class. That jab destroyed opponents.
@@billyrayvalentine8471 Hagler wrecked the Beast and the Beast took a big toll on Hagler! It was the kind of fight where both men fight their peak fight the same night and both leave the ring diminished.
Especially when you have what Mugabi had. Hagler just ignored his best shots though, it was incredible.
I remember the Hagler fight well. If someone said Hagler was the best Middleweight ever, I would not argue with them. Mugabi was like Tyson, until he fought Hagler.
Great documentary. Thank you for doing it.
Hagler has to be up there, not saying he's the greatest ever, but there can't be many who were as consistent for so long as Hagler. Probably my fav fighter ever, for good reason.
@@andrewgibbs7279 I consider Marvelous Marvin Hagler to be in the top 5 greatest middle weights of all time!!! more like the top 3!!!!!!!!!!
@@crewcab1984rv yeah I'd say that's possible , although I've not studied the careers of fighters like Harry Greb, Bob Fitzsimmons, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony Gale or Carlos Monzon, but other than Monzon, none of them were champ anywhere near as long as Hagler.
I put Hagler above anyone since his reign, largely as non were undisputed for any real period of time, if at all, and most didn't stay at MW as a champ for long at all. Aside BHop and GGG I don't think the others come remotely close.
Mugabi was like Tyson in terms destroying no-hopers, but he was not even a smidge of the scientific destroyer Mike was.
Hagler was definately in the top 3 of all time
His hagler fight was in my eyes the best fight I've ever seen.
Even better than hagler v hearns.
Mugabis only trouble was that there was a hagler. He'd have ruled any other era
it is true of many fighters who were never champions because of the ear, and also several champions who would not have been champions in any other time.
Hagler v Mugabi is probably the toughest fight that I can recall ; credit to both men but Mugabi was effectively ruined due to this gruelling encounter IMO.
I agree with that assertion. Mugabe gave Hagler his hardest fight.
Was either man the same after that fight Lenard would never fight him. No big names would until after MH beat him up. Hagler foughtt this guy after Hearn's? nuts
Mugabi was hitting Hagler with some sharp uppercuts right on the chin
Marvin was like hold my beer 🍺 🍻 🤭
I can remember as a kid watching John Mugabi... It was pure magic, totally electric !!!
If the 1983-84 Mugabi was around today, he would have these guys for breakfast.
@@pamle1 .. but more importantly he was a power punching brawler that was never going to give the paying audience a dancing lesson. He never had the goal of winning a fight by winning round counts. He was the man's man of boxing ! He and Hagler two of a kind. We love you John Mugabi !!
@@paulg444 He was never the same after the Hagler bout. Other boxers might bounce back, but his Will was broken that night. After that, even his muscle tone wasn't the same; he was just another boxer... not a beast. Prior to that, even if a guy was well protected with his gloves up... Mugabi would just punch right through all of it. A destroyer in the ring. Hagler deserved a lot of credit for beating him; his last great fight. John Mugabi was possibly the greatest boxer who never won a world title in the last 50 years.
@@pamle1 truly a rare athlete and competitor.
It was the only time I betted against Hagler, figuring the "Beast" would catch him with that right. He showed much respect for Hagler curing the fight but never came close to knocking Marvelous Marvin down or out, neither did Thomas Hearns. Best ten bucks I ever lost. Big time Hagler fan back then.
Well he was one of my dad's favorite fighters so i heard his name all the time back in the day, my dad will be glad to know he is doing so well.
This was EXCELLENT - great job remembering "The Beast"
Thanks, Mike.
@@RichtheFightHistorian , I agree with Chicago Mike. Kudos to you my friend. I hadn't seen any of the footage of Mugabi's fight with "Hardrock" Green in ages. I'd forgotten just how close Green came to knocking Mugabi out in the 3rd round of their fight. Probably the toughest fighter with that kind of real power himself that Mugabi faced up to that point until he finally ran into the wrecking machine known as Marvellous Marvin.
@@GBeret83 Note: James (Hard Rock) Green in now living in the great state of New Jersey and proudly working as a full-time school janitor. 🥊🥊🥊👍 The students in that school better watch their P's and Q's if they don't wanna get crushed by the original (Rock).
MUGABI JUST WANTED THE BASIC THINGS AMERICANS HAD. ONCE HE OBTAINED IT HE WAS ADDICTED TO IT. HE WANTED TO SPOIL HIS FRIENDS AND DO WHAT EVER HE WANTED. NOW HE'S FINALLY AT PEACE.🙂 GREAT VIDEO!
It's astonishing he didn't take preparing for Hagler seriously. Always amazes me when fighters get so arrogant they stop listening to their camp. Seems to be a hallmark of boxing success. I've always admired Hagler. That's what focus and determination look like!
Respect to John "the beast" Mugabi, but Hagler (RIP) had an adamantium laced chin
Yes, he was very unfortunate to be at his prime when Hagler was about, if he'd been at his prime 3 or 4 years later I think he could have won a version of the MW title, it was much easier to become a MW 'champ' once Hagler left the scene.
Goes to show some just cant get knocked out . and those that have , can be k.o. 'd again
What is admantium?
Hagler was my all-time favorite fighter...and this fight with Mugabi was BY FAR his toughest fight.
Man.
Hagler was something else.
The last truly proven, long time MW great, something else for sure.
@@andrewgibbs7279
Don't you rate Hopkins?
@@SPIDERM0OSE not as highly as I rate Hagler.
They came up in a different era. Hagler fought when the MW title was unified.
Hopkins fought when there were multiple champs, and therefore by definition, a weaker selection of contenders.
Don't get me wrong, Hopkins was good. I didn't find him exciting/attractive to watch, but he was a pretty special talent.
@@andrewgibbs7279
I respect his talent too but like you I don't think his reign is comparable to Haglers.
Super Middleweight made the Middleweight division an afterthought during Hopkins reign n instead of chasing a rematch with Roy Jones or a big money showdown with James Toney he was calling out Welterweights like De La Hoya & Trinidad, it reeked of chickenshitism
For a Champion to call out anyone he doesn't have a long standing beef with is disgraceful & proves hes no champion. For a champion to call out someone from a division or 2 divisions below him is beyond disgraceful, its pathetic.
Im not talking about answering a question about a good smaller champion n saying he can get it if he moves up in weight, Im talking about ducking a rematch with a man who gave him a humiliating boxing lesson on the biggest stage, has he no pride ?
Ducking a showdown with James Toney n restoring his damaged reputation to instead call out, fight & beat smaller men while being undisputed in a division the big guns had long ago left behind, making it a safe place to play.
He done some admirable if not great things after he left the Middleweight division but for me he isnt ranked as a Middleweight on the all time list, he isn't even in the conversation.
@@SPIDERM0OSE yeah, very true about SMW, the likes of Jones and Toney fought there breifly before moving up further.
Toney v Hopkins would've been a good one for sure, but by the time Hopkins won a version of the MW title Toney was up around LHW I think... After Jones beat him at SMW.
I thought Hopkins often stunk the joint out too, very awkward and unattractive style.
Dear Mr. Rich,
I've been a boxing fan since I was five years old and I'm pushing 70. I've seen almost every boxing documentary available on American television (and a few from overseas) throughout the past six decades and for what it's worth, I consider yours to be among the very best on the www.
Because of such stellar content I've joined your legion of admirers and have become your newest Subscriber and Devotee to your channel. I very much look forward to viewing all the content your channel has to offer.
Respectfully,
Uncle Le😎
Uncle Leo, you're too kind. I don't have a legion of admirers but you're a welcome addition to the channel.
Great documentary!
In his prime, Mugabi was a Beast, a relentless pressure fighter with devastating power and a solid chin.
Imagine Mugabi v Hearns around '84/85! that wouldve been so explosive.
He gave Hagler one of his toughest fights, but was ultimately ground down and stopped.
Hagler and a lack of discipline pretty much finished him.
Although he won the WBC SWW title in' 89, he wasn't the same fighter, Norris and McClellan both KO'd a shot Mugabi in 1, in the early '90s.
Still, for 5 years he was an absolute beast, great to be able to relive those years in videos like this. Thanks for posting!
ALL that fought Hagler were NEVER the same afterwards.....
I am glad Mugabi/Hearns never happened.
Great childhood memories of watching Mugabi's NBC fights. LOVED that era of boxing
Thanks. An overlooked middleweight warrior. It's always the likes of fab 4, Roy Jones Jr. yadda yadda yadda🎻🎶🎶
Love these mini docs! Great work.
Thanks for making this. Another great doc! I distinctly remember his rise, the win over Parker was shocking at the time. Not just because Parker was reputed to have steel chin, but that Mugabi hit him with some of the most powerful bombs, flush to the face, I had seen.
Then of course came the Hagler fight. The same blows that destroyed other fighters didn't seem to phase Hagler. In the end, Marvin didn't just KO Mugabi, he completely broke him.
The greatest we've had in our country. During Idi Amin's time, Uganda excelled in sports most especially boxing.
Guy yali akuba engumi ggwe.
Great Documentary 🥊 Thank you for this video for 1 of boxing 80's era most deadliest punchers
I wish you well. You have such a great delivery and soothing voice I didn't notice any issue. Looking forward to the Mugabi documentary...
Thanks, Buster. Did a lot of re-takes so fingers crossed it really isn't noticeable to a lot of folks.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Great vid as always. Thank You.
As a Ugandan it's great to see how our nation gets recognized in combat sports.
I have never been a follower of boxing nor had any interest in the sport. But I find your documentaries so insightful, well-done, and just completely exceptional that I love watching them. Really great work, man. 10/10. I'm addicted! And I'm beginning to understand and appreciate different styles and strategies. Top notch stuff, all the way.
Thanks so much for the kind words, they mean a lot.
This has become my favourite channel on UA-cam another great video, really enjoyed it. I been watching mugabe a lot recently to, he destroyed Curtis Parker a real gatekeeper and supposedly a real top gym fighter destroying sparring partners. Love the footage and content thankyou and keep up the great work!
Hey thank, Alex. Yeah, Parker was the epitome of a Philly fighter.
I had forgotten just how good mugabi was ,years since I had see that fight ,absolutely loved it
Excellent bit of documentary work
Thank you, TheColin1958
Haglers toughest fight. He took a beating that night.He was best middleweight champion of my era period.
He was the best champion of that era period....Fought all comers...never ducked anyone....
Sugar Ray Leonard is my favorite fighter of all time, but Hagler is one of the best middle weights period. Right up there with Sugar Ray Robinson.
He was The Greatest Middleweight Champion on all time Period! 1love
i remember the first time he was on american tv. they heard his trainer telling him to not knockout his opponent too fast so the audience could see him fight longer
Most people don't know that John Mugabi was Ring magazine 's number 1 contender to Haglers crown when they fought (ref:Rummey's Corner: Hagler career recap
This is another good one, Rich. I like the way each story -- and these fighters are all interesting and unique people with their own stories -- has a lot of archival footage of the boxers in the fights you (the narrator) is talking about. You've added to boxing's rich history with your little library of films. Great job, and thanks.
Mugabi was a tough son-of-a-bitch, but he had the misfortune of running into someone just as mean and more skilled in the late, great Marvellous Marvin Hagler. But even Hagler took awhile to finally wear Mugabi out and put him down to stay.
Imagine what Mugabi must have been thinking as he landed his money punches on Hagler and Hagler never flinched. These were punches that had put his other opponents down and out.
As the fight wore on Hagler began to wear him down, but it was a war. Hagler had knots on his head after the fight.
@@bobbywise2313 Hagler was rocked and flinched.
@@justdynee Guess I should do a rewatch. One thing is certain he was never severely hurt or knocked down.
Yeah Mugabi gave Hagler a tough fight alright and Hagler felt his power, but Hagler was a different animal, a fully conditioned fighting machine, with steely determination, under rated technical skills, a high workrate, good power and a great chin, so even a prime Mugabi couldn't beat an arguable slipping Hagler. Kind of puts Haglers greatness into perspective, and also how good Mugabi was at this stage.
@magiclittle fingers2020 Duran. Duran totally bypassed junior welterweight when he vacated his undisputed lightweight titles. He then beat a prime welterweight champion who is a top 3 welterweight all time.
I have lots of respect for Pryor but prime Duran is a p4p top ten all time fighter. He is the greatest lightweight ever.
Another great documentary Rich, and I love the way you narrate these, no need for any apologies!.
I appreciate that, Peter, thanks.
Hagler still getting kudos in the comment section about the Beast. RIP Marvin you were one of best and are missed.
Great self made documentary well done for working through your palsy shaun
Thank you.
Thanks Rich! This is gold! Subscribed! Thank you🙏
Rich - This is a fantastic site for boxing fans you have created . Thanks very much.
Much appreciated, thanks of the support.
Rich, you done did it again!!! Another masterpiece!!! God Bless You!!!!!!!
Hey thanks, HatianHurricane.
We narrowly missed what could have been the ultimate match of power punchers, Mugabi vs Julian Jackson.
I think Jackson would’ve won that fight because “The Hawk” had too many KO tools in his arsenal and, as we saw here, “The Beast” didn’t know how to tie up.
Would have loved to have seen Mugabi Vs Thomas Hearns.
That would have been some fight.
I think Thomas Hearns would’ve smoked Mugabi they way he smoked Duran. He hit Duran and Duran fell face first!! It was Duran’s only KO’d by in his career!! As they were saying at ringside, when they fall face first they don’t get up!! Remember how he smoked Pipino Cuevas who was supposed the power puncher in their encounter. Hearns hit Cuevas that right cross it lifted Pipino’s right leg up off the canvas and sent him reeling back on his left leg trying not to fall. He got knocked out seconds later.
@@lindenbyass6902 possibly, but Mugabi hit like a mule and Hearns was always vulnerable to a hard puncher.
@@lindenbyass6902 he telegraph his punches
Lets all keep in mind...
Mugabi drank beer in his prime and lots of it.
I pay per viewed his fight with Hagler and felt Migabi had the style and punch to topple Hagler. Only 15 dollars ppv can you believe that!
Because of Johns natural punching power and lack of elite dicipline imo it was a roadblock to him fully developing all his raw abilities. The narrator aludes to all this and I recall reading about the drinking in various articles of the day back then.
So.. Imo a fighter who helped others in need and probably deep down didnt care for hurting people as he needed money.
John is a good soul down deep and has always praised Haglers victory unlike someone.... who lost to SRL.
Good fighter that imo missed being great for his own reasons.
Great TV era of fighters from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s.
I was with a group of friends watching this fight and we put together a betting pool. I picked Mugabi on cuts in 6.
Hagler didn't "loose to SLR" he lost to the Las Vegas Box'g Commission.
His last fight, and a milestone in a long, long career, and they ripped him off for payback because he blew the whistle and sued the governing bodies to get a title shot.
He was all offense and he was tremendous!!! The problem is he didn't develop defense because he knocked everyone out. After the Hagler fight he was damaged goods!!!
@@kidmack3556 hagler was robbed. he had to agree to 12 rounds to get his biggest payday. hagler was going hard to the body starting in the 8th. if it had gone 15, srl would still be unconscious.
happy to hear that he's having a good "second" life now. great boxer!
John "The Beast" Mugabi, Uganda.
42-7-1, KO's 39.
# WBC Light Middleweight Champion of the World: 1989-1990.
# 2-time World Middleweight Title challanger: 1986 (lost by KO 11 to Marvin Hagler) & 1991 (lost by TKO 1 to Gerald McClellan).
# vacant WBC World Light Middleweight Title challanger: 1986 (lost by TKO 3 to Duane Thomas).
Most notable victories: Rene Jacquot, Eddie Gazo, Gary Guiden & Curtis Parker.
Most notable losses: Marvin Hagler, Gerald McClellan, Terry Norris, Duane Thomas, William Bo James & Glenn Kelly.
Neither Mugabi or Hagler were ever the same after their fight... Mugabi was so stubborn and hit Hagler with an uppercut that would've KOed a horse, but Hagler with an all-time chin just walked him down and beat the fighter out of Mugabi... my favorite Hagler fight as it pushed Marvin very hard, but Marvin wasn't going anywhere... the Leonard fight broke my heart as I was a huge Hagler fan... it also permanently soured Marvin on boxing... a sport he gave everything too
I met Mugabi once when he csme home to Uganda after fighting Hagler. He gave me his autograph. I am suprised to hear he only spoke Swahili and thst he comes from Tooro(my father's middle name is Mugabi) . Be that as it may Mugabi spoke fluent Luganda at least to me
Great job bruh thanks so much for the upload.... this was a treat down memory lane..
Glad you enjoyed it
Another great job Rich, thank you for this retrospective on "John "The Beast" Mugabi.
My pleasure, Michael.
Mugabi was truly a beast and he had the right nickname .
Crazy 8's
Rich these docos are fantastic.Thank you.
Glad you liked them. Thanks for watching.
John Mugabi 1983-86 was maybe the greatest fighter who didn't win a world title, of the past 50 years. If you shrunk a prime 228 lb George Foreman down to 5'8"... you would have John Mugabi. Opponents could try to "block" his punches, but Mugabi would just blast through the damn blocks! He destroyed opponents!
Came across these a few days ago and I think I've watched a dozen. You do a great job on them.
Hey thanks, Charles.
Great documentary and editing. The commentary was excellent. Thank you for taking the time to produce the content and upload.
Much appreciated!
The beast was the middleweight George foreman how he fought and looked.
I've really got to try & catch up with your back catalogue Rich. This upload is another belter. I had seen Mugabi only once before his fight with Marvin, briefly v Nino Gonzalez, but hardly remember it. I was there to watch Frank Bruno's comeback fight & to see Herol Graham. Really well edited & first class narration. Bless up bro 👊
If there had NEVER been a Sugar Ray Robinson, Marvelous Marvin Hagler is by FAR the GREATEST Middle weight fighter boxing EVER had ! 😮❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Great duel with Hagler it's one of my favourite Fights ✌️
One of my favorites growing up. I knew that Fletcher fight was a can't miss affair. "Welcome to the wild kingdom". I will never forget those memories of real warriors and less politics. If you want to be sure you win don't leave it to the judges. Thanks for the video.
He made Uganda proud.
Infinite props and success Rich, what a masterpiece, your narrating and editing skills grow with each post. 19:17, the escalation of music and the clip of an unforgettable fight was EPIC!! It defined Boxing in a nutshell.
Thanks so much, TENGUI!
Luckily there is so much footage on his fights.. thanks for the upload 👍🏾
Excellent documentary coupled with exciting and perfect music score. Thank you and hope to see more. Can you do one on Gaeton Hart of Montreal Canada ?
Thank you, Dan. Actually there already is a doc on Gaetan Hart...It's called "The Steak".
I honestly thought he was going to beat Hagler as I followed his career and he was a true beast but Hagler was on a different level
The difference was that Hagler lived the life 100% of the time., whereas Mugabi didn't.
@@DavidUKesb very good point
No current middle weight or junior could beat this man. One of the men of old. In the old days they were made differently. Fact
The hagler fight was a classic, but marvellous was and still is my no 1 he had it all
Mugabi was in deep trouble against James "hard rock" Green but somehow survived and came back to knock out Green, who was actually a good boxer in spite of his short stature. Mugabi always lacked defensive skills and it cost him, first against Marvin Hagler and later in his career as well.
I definitely think that the Hagler fight knocked so much of his self belief and his punch resistance.
@@TheHumbuckerboy Hagler really had an iron chin, never knocked off his feet. You knew that Mugabi was in for a long night of boxing against Hagler, who went to the body and wore Mugabi down.
@@pukulu It remains one of the toughest , most brutal ever fights.
John used to come in to my club and he was a good man
As a life long John Mugabi fan I have to say this is very good. The only thing is I think Duff insisted on not having thumbless gloves for the Duane Thomas fight. Mugabi was on top and should have won but coming from 195 to 154 in 7 weeks is too much.
Really enjoyable watch. Thank you.
A monster, Mugabi. Always a pleasure to see Marvelous. I saw their battle rooting for Hagler, my favorite, all the way. I worried a bunch of times. I rate that fight above the Super Fight.
What a good story on mugabi hagler mugabi a war. I remember a few of thos early fights of john, Of the 4 kings. The real one took on the beast. What an era.
I saw him growing up,he destroyed at least his first 20 pro opponents,he was like Tyson before Tyson,would have been cool if he could have kept dominating!!!
Thanks for the video, RICH THE FIGHT HISTORIAN
I like this UA-cam channel Rich, and what a ‘Beast’ Mugabe was!
I do remember The Beast! He wasn't called that for nothing.
However, Marvelous M.H. tamed the Beast in him & KO'ed him.
For me, if The Hagler/Hearns has the best Round 1 or Best Round of all time, then this fight has got to be in the Top 3 of Best Fight of all time.
Here we see the gr8ness of Hagler being the Winner of not just 1 but 2 very notable fights!
Cool!
Beast was like a legend back in the day
I'll never forget that fight with the Beast and Hagler. The only guy I EVER saw hit Marvelous and had him VISIBLY hurt, other than Hearns. And imho, he hurt him worse than Hitman. There will only ever be one BEAST and his name is Mugabi.
Mugabi Vs Hearns before there fights Vs Hagler would've been something.
The Beast would've flat out KO'd most of the heavyweight division of that era. Incredible that Hagler had the courage to take him on, let alone knock him out. Duran, Hearns, Barkley & easily Sugar Ray Leonard would've all been destroyed by Mugabi. That fight was top 5 all time. Mugabi was a true titan. Great video.
Taking on Norris at that age?!!! What was he thinking? IMO JM nearly broke into the super elite of that time but was way to undisciplined to get there ... so many missed hooks... all bombs... Another brilliant vid.
Thanks, Toracube.
Hagler was a navy Seal without actually being one. He was the only middleweight at the time that could’ve beaten the Beast.
I call him a Universal Soldier.
He had it all.
Tactics, technique, stamina, firepower, durability, defense, attack.
You name it, he had it & he had it all in both stances.
Preparing for Hagler was like preparing for at least 4 different fighters
1: Orthodox pressure fighter on a seek & destroy mission
2: Southpaw pressure fighter on a seek & destroy mission.
3: Crafty, streetwise, Orthodox boxer/puncher using the ring & superior tactics to display his superior boxing finesse to systematically slice you up n take you apart piece by piece like a patient piranha fish.
4: Crafty streetwise, Southpaw boxer/puncher using the ring & superior tactics to display his superior boxing finesse to systematically slice you up n take you apart piece by piece like a patient piranha fish.
Now consider all of the above n recognize that he isnt goofing off with sparring partners or trying it out for size in regional shows vs local bums, he doing it all at the very highest level vs the very best in the world, under the brightest lights, for the most money in history up until then, so therefore hes doing it all under the highest pressure.
So add that to ..
5: He was all of the above n could be either or all of those opponents in one single fight, he could switch it up between rounds.
He could switch it up during a single round !
When you're talking about the best Middleweight since 1980, the modern era, you start with Marvin Hagler n try to explain or argue why so n so might be above him.
Hagler is the Middleweight *ALL* Middleweights since 1980 are judged by.
@Melvin Deeply
Woulda been one hell of a gun fight.
Someone was going to sleep early in that one.
#AllGunsBlazing
@Melvin Deeply
Foreman vs Holmes is the one we missed out on.
Earnie alwys had a punchers chance but Foreman n Holmes were a cut above him.
I met Earnie when he was working as a bouncer in Liverpool. Cool guy once he realized I wasn't an asshole, he talked to me about his career & fighting Muhamad Ali, who he was disappointed never to get a rematch with.
Hearns had suffered that devastating loss to Hagler, he was the one who needed to get his head right, not Mugabi who had KOd everyone he had ever faced until that point.
Before his loss to Hagler, Hearns coulda broken him but he had to be carefully rebuilt after it.
Mugabi was never successfully refurbished after Hagler dismantled him so he woulda been easy work for the refurbished #Hitman
It took Tommy maybe 10 fights including his loss to Barkley to get over his loss to Hagler.
Hearns was a warrior, an old school gun slinger, overcoming those Losses n his loss to Leonard n then hunting down rematches against them proves the warrior he is more than any of his wins.
Tommy Hearns is a p4p all time great.
@Melvin Deeply
Woulda been a great scrap.
They're only 2 years apart in age I think.
Mid 70s Holmes v Foreman woulda been the fight that Ali was promising to deliver before serving up the rope-a-dope.
Holmes up on his toes, doing his Ali impersonation, boxing behind his jab, hitting n moving.
Foreman doing his Frankenstein impersonation, walking him down swinging sledge hammers.
Woulda been a great scrap.
Woulda been a great scrap even in the 90s when both were active.
I rekon George KO's Holmes in the 70's but Holmes reasonably comfortably outpoints George in the 90s
After the MARVELOUS 1..the BEAST was never the same..8:20 I've never seen a black ref in the ring ever until now...GREAT VIDEO 👍👍👍👍👍🏴🇬🇧
😒
How do you only have 19k subscribers? These documentaries are amazing.
Thanks, Vinny.
green was piecing mugabe up man he showed great heart and spirit to get through that firefight and get the stoppage
If Mugabi was more disciplined and followed his trainers advice could've been the next Hagler/Monzon a blend of skill and strength stamina and will reigning for years.......like they did.
Boxing is definitely a metaphor for life. I bet John wishes he would have sparred 15 before fighting Hagler.
Fantastic docu mate.
It really captures just how imposing an opponent that Mugabi was n it highlights just how great Hagler had to be to beat him.
I rekon that was the toughest fight of Haglers career & dare I say it, his greatest performance.
That fight was pure WAR n it wasn't gonna end until one man was broken.
Hagler was something else.
Hagler was a few years past prime but his performance was awesome in this fight. He took shots that only 2 middleweights ever could have taken. Obviously himself being one and the other would be Jake LaMotta.
Hagler walked through punches that were putting other fighters away. He was tough and had to be in this one.
@@bobbywise2313
It was a great scrap.
I dunno if Hagler was past his prime, late bloomers exist & it looked like the performance of his career to me.
I think he was fighter of the year coming off the Hearns win & was reigning Undisputed p4p, nobody was arguing that Hagler wasn't *THEE MAN*
Same as when he fought Leonard, he was the recognized p4p & had been for 5 years in a row.
Prophets of disaster were looking at him as they do everyone n predicting his demise in the knowledge that one day they would be correct. Prefight he didnt n couldn't look past his prime to anyone outside his camp & even then I would be suspicious of how closely they were working with him, Hagler was a lone wolf, done things his own way, so no trainer could look at him n say until after the event.
Id say it was his toughest fight since the first Antifermo fight. Sibson & Hamsho gave him minor moments as did Hearns but if I had to pick one fight to display Haglers greatness it would be this one & this documentary portrays Mugabi in the light that fight deserved.
As for chins, for sure Hagler had a great one but I doubt you have ever seen La Mottas.
Today GGG & Canelo have displayed great chins. Before them Hopkins too had a great chin with honorable mentions to Roy Jones & James Toney who didn't hang around long enough to be remembered as middleweights but both had great chins too.
@@SPIDERM0OSE I think Hagler peaked around from 81 to 82. He lost some of the fire after that and was fighting less often. He was getting up in years also. Remember Hagler had a hard road to the title and had been in a lot of wars before 1979.
But he was still the toughest middleweight in the world in 1986. He could take all those hard punches from Mugabi and return his own. But Hagler was a more skilled boxer than Mugabi and was trained to go 15 to rounds. By the mid rounds Hagler's punches were landing with more authority than Mugabi's. From around round 8 on I think it was inevitable that the Beast would fall. Was Mugabi better than Antufermo, Rodan, Hamsho or Hearns? I am not sure. Rodan vs Mugabe would have been a classic. I think Antufermo would have beat Mugabi. Although Antufermo had a tendency to cut. Hearns would be a toss up. If Tommy connected with his right first it might have been over but in a brawl I see Mugabi stopping Hearns.
@@bobbywise2313
Hagler was the recognized p4p #1 from 82-87 & he only went the distance twice in that time against little known nobodies called *ROBERTO DURAN & SUGAR RAY LEONARD*
His KO percentage was up, his punches thrown to punches landed ratio was up & the percentage of his opponents punches landing on him were down, all after 1982.
But yea, yer right, he wasnt half the fighter he was before 82 😏
So tell us, what fighter from Haglers era or any era before or since it has had an easy path to the title, n keep it to undisputed champions which is what Hagler was.
From where Im sitting you are talking about an era you haven't experienced outside of watching YT highlights n bullshitting about it.
Hagler v Sibson was an absolute boxing master class, maybe the most perfect display of all Haglers Talents.
His destruction of the big Venezuelan & Hamsho in their rematchs was way more impressive than their first fights.
What are you basing yer notions on, if not make believe attention seeking bullshit ?
My man hit dude so hard at 3:25 that the ref went flying out the ring too 😂 🤣🤣😭
greatest ko ever period
No beating chests, no hip hop posing, no shoulder rolls or talk of making “business decisions”, just two men in the ring who fight for glory and really fight to the end.
Loving your work Rich, really enjoying these, nice one mate!
Thank you, Jonathan.
Another great Video Rich - TY!
My pleasure, Joe
I think the Hagler fight ruined both men, Hagler was badly faded against Leonard and Mugubi was never the same fighter after losing to Hagler.
Had Mugabi never faced MMH it's possible he would have held the Middleweight title for years. Unfortunately, The Hagler fight destroyed Mugabi physically and psychologically. Thought it came at the end of MMH's glorious career there were few fighters that Hagler levied such a sustained beating on. That beating was Hagler's way of respecting The Beast's power and skill, "Destruction and Destroy".
Great piece📽👌🏾💯. John Magabi was a great fighter and I rank him in my top 5 middleweight's as 1 of the toughest pound for pound fighters and if he would of been more strict on his self and more discipline when it came down to him training and staying in shape then maybe he could of 1 day became the undisputed middleweight champion of the world 🤔who knows 🥊🏆💯
I love learning the history of the sport 🙌🏾 keep these coming! Hagler mugabi is 🔥🔥🔥
More to come!
Fellow Ugandans..This man Mugabi one of our great sportsmen of our country ever and John Akibua
Great fighter, can't believe the ref let the fight continue from 8:26 onwards.