By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
My chance meeting with the great Marvin Hagler happened in May 1995 while he was jogging on a street in the city of Atlanta. I was in Atlanta to attend the IBF convention being held at the Peachtree hotel. I had left the hotel with Miami referee Brian Garry and his wife Phylis with Australian IBF judge Des Bloyd to have a Chinese meal that was recommended. We were on our way back to the hotel when we noticed Marvin Hagler jogging.
He had noticed we were wearing IBF caps and he said. “The IBF is in town.”
I asked him, “Don’t you live in Italy?”
He said, “Yes, but I’m in Atlanta for my son’s graduation.”
He asked where the convention was. I told him the Peachtree hotel and one of his former opponents, Wilford Scypion, was there as he was now working fights as a judge and referee.
Marvin said “I will see you there tonight.”
True to his word, he came and met up with Wilford Scypion.
Two years later in South Africa, I met with Marvin Hagler again when he was working as a television commentator for a Roberto Duran fight with the main event Corrie Sanders defeating Ross Puritty. I was working on an IBF title bout.
Great memories of a great middleweight champion
Hagler was one of the BEST. Nobody was better when it came to being able to switch from Orthodox to Southpaw. Marvelous Marvin was Great from either stance! R.I.P. Champ.
Pete as a former Chicago Gloves champ and world class referee you would appreciate what a great champion Marvin Hagler was. I think he would of given Carlos Monzon and Sugar Ray Robinson a dificult night in the ring. Marvin left us with many fantastic fights to watch. Great to hear from you Pete
Rest In Peace Marvin
Thank you Marvin Hagler for some great entertainment during your active years as a fighter! Your presence in the boxing world will never be forgotten. You were a force in the ring!!!!
vaccine killed him
Even if this were true (and it’s not), it’s just not the time or place to do anything other than honor a great, fallen fighter. Don’t make this about you or your bizarre ideologies. For the record, even Hagler’s widow said it was not the Covid vaccine that killed him.
Colby, sorry Mate, but my wife and I were there with Ray & “The Ace”, Big Dezi…Atlanta, IBF Convention. It was with great respect, that Ray Wheatley submitted this note. We all are deeply saddened at passing of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. May the “Good Lord” hold his Soul in a very special Heavenly place.
It was a great day Brian in Atlanta when we met with Marvin Hagler. He was such a nice guy and what a great champion. Always enjoyed your company mate. Say hello to Phylis for me.
You don’t know one way or the other. The fact is that he wasn’t sick before he got the vaccine and he died right after receiving it.
I’ve heard rumors that he might have died from the covid vaccine???
Direct quote from Marvin Hagler’s wife, Kay:
“I was the only person close to him until the last minute, and I am the only person that know how things went not even his family know all the details and I do NOT accept to read some stupid comment without knowing really what happen. For sure wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death. My baby left in peace with his usually smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense.”
Please stop with the vaccine rumors, and respect his family.
She’s not a doctor
marvin hagler was a great fighter.
Ray, yes, we were right there in the street, as Marvin tugged on Big Dezi’s IBF jacket. I told Hagler, that his former 3 bout opponant, Willie “The Eorm” Monroe was with us at the Perchtree Plaza, for the IBF Convention. That evening, following his Son’s Graduation ceremony, he joined us all, at the Hotel. He also spent some time with Willie, at the hotel. He said is wt., was only 167, still fit, and ready to go. We had many Photo opps that evening.
I’ve read several stories about people who’ve met Hagler in person, and literally haven’t heard a single bad word about this man. Tremendous fighter in the ring, and a gentleman outside of it. Great ambassador for the sport.