Marvelous: The Marvin Hagler Story

by Damian Hughes, Brian Hughes

The extraordinary career of a true sports icon Marvelous Marvin Hagler is a sporting legend. Often called the greatest middleweight boxer of all time, he held the world title for 12 defenses, including bouts with Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran which entered fistic folklore. This biography tells the story of Hagler's extraordinary life for the first time, separating truth from myth to get right to the heart of a complex and charismatic man. From his wild early fights in the boxing wilderness of Brockton, Massachusetts, the book follows the blazing trail of Hagler's the controversial defeats subsequently avenged, a riot-scarred title win in London, and his unification of the middleweight crown. It also cover the Ring magazine's "greatest round of all time" against Hearns, his ferocious battle with Duran, and the still-controversial loss to his nemesis Leonard.

Genres: Biography, Sports

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2013

About the author

Professor Damian Hughes combines his practical and academic background within sport, organization and change psychology to work as a trusted adviser to business, education and sporting elite, specializing in the creation of high-performance cultures.

Reviews

[Dave Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Hagler famously said:
"It's tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 5am when you've been sleeping in silk pajamas"
Another favourite boxer (Joe Frazier) once told Hagler that he would struggle because he was left handed, black, and very good. This is a very erudite book about a boxer who fought himself out of poverty and remained dignified whilst dealing in a dark trade. He not only fought in the ring, he fought against racism in sport. I don't do heroes, but Marvin Hagler was my hero.

[Garry Marlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is what it is a detailed account of Marvelous Marvin Hagler's boxing career. If you want an indepth look at his private life then this is not the book for you. If you want to know how he got motivated for fights and about the fights then the book is un put a downable. I really enjoyed this book, but then I think he is the greatest middleweight champoin ever.

[Martin Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite ever boxers. Probably the boxer who first got me interested in the sport.

This is a biography. It doesn't have too many insights in to the man himself but it's a good account of his boxing career, up to that controversial Leonard fight.

Definitely worth a read for boxing fans

[Dean Berks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read on my favourite all-time fighter. Enthralling read.

Fantastic read on my favourite fighter of all-time. Highly recommended. Capture's all of Hagler's struggles and traits for recognition as the best.

[Niall Crosbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Biography

Very solid account of the trials and tribulations of Mr Hagler, would certainly recommend to any boxing fan due to its good insight into one of the great four

[Ron Maskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. A lot of little anecdotes and interesting facts. I'd recommend this for the avid boxing fan and even for the neophytes.

[Lea Worrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book and one that gives great detail and insight to all his major fights. A must read for any boxing fan

[Mike Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous Marvin

Great in depth look at a great boxer and a solitary figure by choice to get the most edge for his bout. Enjoyed thoroughly and completed the reading in 3 nights.

[Ryan Guido · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Hagler, and this only further amplified that adoration. What a fighter and what a man

[Joseph Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great man. Great book.

[Richard Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, straightforward look at the defining fights in the career of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, as an overlooked fighter sought to gain recognition and respect inside and outside the ring. Each chapter of the work is dedicated to a particular fight, with the more important fights (Hearns, Leonard) receiving the bulk of the attention towards the end. Hagler attempts to conquer his foes with a menacing disposition, ironclad training regimen and relentless determination to be recognized as the be middleweight fighter in the world. Financial concerns loom large as Hagler struggles to come to grips with Leonard's comparatively slippery smooth road to fame and fortune. Hughes' work could easily be repackaged as a compilation of sports articles following each of Hagler's fights. What does separate the book from an anthology of sports clippings are the bits of background and detail Hughes provides on each of Hagler's opponent. Particularly enjoyable, for example, was the buildup to the Duran fight, which involves a mini-redemption, Duran's, inside of Hagler's own struggle to achieve. Not a biography of Hagler that would capture the essence of the man, privately, but a speedy and entertaining career recap.

[Donald Paulsrud · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Marvelous Marvin Hagler or of the time period when he was the top Middleweight fighter in the world you will really enjoy this book. I was destined to enjoy this book simply because I think Hagler was pound for pound the best fighter of his era. I was hoping for a little more insight into some of his major fights, but there was enough meat on that bone to satisfy me. I also enjoyed the trip down memory lane with each of his big fights as I watched most of them live. Overall, this is a really good book for Hagler fans and for boxing fans in general.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serviceable account of Hagler's boxing career.