HAGLER-PAVLIK EWBSS PREVIEW: A MARVELOUS MATCH-UP
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Apr 2020
Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Kelly Pavlik is today’s thrilling fantasy match-up in the quarter-finals of the ‘eWBSS Middleweight Legends Tournament’ broadcast at 7pm on World Boxing Super Series Facebook.
Marvin Hagler reigned as undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987 and was part of an incredible era in boxing history. He fought fellow legends like Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard and only lost to the latter in the ‘Super Fight’ via split decision.
Hagler had a versatile style. He could be a boxer-puncher, who methodically picked the opponent apart, he could counter and brawl and he looked marvelous doing it. In fact, In 1982, Hagler legally and rightfully changed his name to ‘Marvelous Marvin Hagler’.
His opponent ‘The Ghost’ Kelly Pavlik showed the ability to scare any opponent in a career spanning from 2000-2012 – peaking by unifying the WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine middleweight titles by defeating Jermain Taylor via TKO in the 7th in 2007. Taylor, a phenomenon at that time, the ruler of the division suffered his first professional defeat. And another one four and a half months later in the re-match going the distance.
Pavlik was a well-rounded operator with a fan-friendly, action-packed style. He only lost against Bernard Hopkins and Sergio Martinez and may not belong to the absolute top of the legends in the division. But he is certainly not far off.
The ‘eWBSS Middleweight Legends Tournament’ roster:
Sugar Ray Robinson (1), Sugar Ray Leonard (2), Marvin Hagler (3), Carlos Monzon (4) , Jake LaMotta, Ronald Wright, Kelly Pavlik & Fernando Vargas.
Quarter-Finals:
Ray Robinson vs Fernando Vargas, March 30 – Robinson W – KO5
Marvin Hagler vs Kelly Pavlik, March 31
Ray Leonard vs Ronald Wright, April 1
Carlos Monzon vs Jake LaMotta, April 2
The entire ‘eWBSS Middleweight Legends’ tournament will be streamed on the World Boxing Super Series Facebook page at 7pm (GMT) every day from Monday March 30 until the final on Sunday April 5.
The eWBSS tournaments are created by the real World Boxing Super Series to provide some much-needed relief and entertainment for fight fans around the world during these testing times.
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