Marvin Hagler, the former undisputed middleweight champion, named John Mugabi as one of the hardest punchers he faced in his career. Hagler shared this insight during a feature with The Ring Magazine, reflecting on his experiences in the ring.
'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler ruled the middleweight division for six years, defending his undisputed title 12 times. His outstanding professional career spanned 14 years and included victories over boxing legends like Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns. Hagler's reign came to an end in April 1987 when Sugar Ray Leonard dethroned him in his final fight.
When asked about the hardest hitters he faced, Hagler pointed to both John Mugabi and Thomas Hearns. He focused particularly on Mugabi, who he fought in Las Vegas just under forty years ago. Hagler said:
"I believe he put on more weight before the fight. I could feel his body against me. He felt like a light heavyweight, he didn't feel like a middleweight. When he threw punches, they were all deadly, very hard punches. This guy felt like a light heavyweight to me, so I had to wear him down, to take away some of that strength."
Hagler went on to describe a specific moment in the fight that showcased Mugabi's power:
"Mugabi hit me with an uppercut. It didn't hurt, but it was a hard punch, and I learned something from that. I had to regroup and come up with a different strategy."
The fight, which was for the undisputed middleweight championship, ended with Hagler knocking out Mugabi in the 11th round. The victory handed Mugabi his first career defeat and is often described as a classic by boxing fans.
Mugabi, known as "The Beast", was a formidable opponent with a reputation for devastating punching power. The Ugandan fighter's career spanned from 1980 to 1999, during which he amassed 42 wins with 39 knockouts. He later became the WBC light-middleweight champion.
It's worth noting that despite facing such powerful punchers, Hagler was never knocked out in his career, a testament to his incredible durability and skill in the ring.
