Sugar Ray Leonard has spoke of his shock after hearing of the death of Marvin Hagler.
The 66-year-old former middleweight champion passed away unexpectedly at his home in New Hampshire on Saturday. The news was broke by his wife Kay on Hagler’s official Facebook page.
Tributes have since poured in from all corners of the boxing world with the sport in a state of disbelief that one of the game’s all-time greats is now gone.
Leonard came out of retirement to fight Hagler on April 6, 1987 with the Olympic Gold medallist giving Hagler his first loss in 11 years.
“I was really in shock yesterday after hearing the news of Hagler, it hit me hard,” Leonard wrote on his own Facebook page.
“We had just the utmost respect for each other! Marvin Hagler had every ingredient that it takes to be a great champion. Marvin, you are definitely gone too soon, but you will forever live on as one of the greats! Thoughts and prayers to the entire Hagler family.”
Hagler retired from the sport after the split decision defeat to Leonard, but walked away from the sport with his head held high as one of the greatest middleweight champions in boxing history.
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