Marvin Hagler's Big 5: Champion and Contender Switch Roles!

Marvin Hagler's Big 5: Champion and Contender Switch Roles!

In 1979, Marvin Hagler and Vito Antofermo went into a titanic battle for the middleweight world title. The two professionals complete the 15-round format in front of the crowd at Caesars Palace. The judges never decided a winner in the fight and it ended in a draw. This makes the Italian much happier of the two boxers. Vito retains his championship belts, and the challenger has no right to a rematch.

Two fights with Alan Minter follow for Antuofermo. Both lost, and after them the Englishman was knocked off the top right by Hagler. So the upcoming 1981 fight between Marvin and Vito has nothing to do with expectations 2 years ago. The champion is different, the favorite is different. The city too. The fight moves from Las Vegas to Boston.

In the previous fight, many fans were left with the impression that Hagler deserved more success. At the time, Marvelous missed the chance to win his first world middleweight title, but fate placed him in front of his second defense, in which he had a lot to lose, but also a rematch to seek.

The match is played at a great pace. From the beginning to the end of the fight, Marvin hit very fast and very hard. The Italian responded with good movement and landed some dangerous shots as well. The fourth round ends, and after it Vito is seriously injured. In his corner, they think they've seen enough of the fight. Antuofermo never made it to the fifth round, but in Hagler he won by technical knockout. For the second time in the battle between the American and the Italian, the champion keeps his belts. But this time there is no doubt that it is deserved!

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