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Hagler vs Leonard

Hagler had 57 amateur wins by some reports. Boxing Illustrated and Sports Illustrated listed his record as 52-2 with 43 KOs.

On May 1, 1986, Leonard was interviewed on WDVM-TV in Washington D.C. and made his desire to come back and fight Hagler public. “I know exactly what it takes to beat the man,” Leonard said.

On August 18, 1986, Hagler announced that he would fight Leonard.

The fight was officially announced at a press conference at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan on November 3, 1986.

Hagler was guaranteed $12 million. Leonard was guaranteed $11 million. After Leonard agreed to let Hagler have the larger purse, Hagler agreed to let Leonard choose the gloves (ten-ounce Reyes), the number of rounds (12) and the size of the ring (20-foot).

Hagler had not lost a fight since dropping a ten-round unanimous to Willie Monroe on March 9, 1976.

This was Leonard’s first fight as a middleweight.

Dr. Ferdie Pacheco stated, “This match endangers the eyesight of Leonard, as well as his life, and makes a mockery of the credibility of any boxing commission that sanctions it.”

Hagler and Leonard fought for the WBC title only. The WBA stripped Hagler for not fighting Herol Graham, their top-ranked contender. The IBF did not strip Hagler, but they refused to sanction the fight and said the title would be declared vacant if Hagler should lose to Leonard.

A crowd of 15,336 produced a gate of $7.9 million at Caesars Palace.

“JoJo Guerra should be put in jail,” Pat Petronelli, Hagler’s co-trainer, said.

More about Karate Kicks

Leonard 10 Hagler 5 Draw 3
Baltimore Sun: 7-5 in rounds Leonard
Boston Globe: 117-111 Leonard
Boston Herald 116-113 Leonard

HBO Judge Harold Lederman: 115-113 Leonard
Houston Chronicle: 115-114 Leonard
KO Magazine: 118-111 Leonard
New York Daily News: 117-111 Leonard

Oakland Tribune: 117-112 Leonard
The Ring: 115-113 Leonard

United Press International: 116-112 Leonard

Associated Press: 117-112 Hagler
Chicago Sun-Times: 115-114 Hagler
Chicago Tribune: 7-5 in rounds Hagler

Newsday: 115-114 Hagler

San Jose Mercury-News: 116-115 Hagler

New York Post: 114-114
New York Times: 114-114

Washington Post: 114-114

Judge: Jose Juan Guerra 118-110
Judge: Lou Filippo 113-115
Judge: Dave Moretti 115-113

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