Marvin Hagler destroys Alan Minter to become world middleweight champion

On September 27, 1980, at Wembley Arena, ‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler challenged WBA and WBC middleweight champion Alan Minter. The build-up was tense, and the fight ended in a brutal three-round demolition.

Big Fight Weekend takes you back to that night in London, when bad blood boiled over and Hagler finally captured the world title he had long craved.

Marvin Hagler vs Alan Minter – the night a champion was crowned

The build-up to the fight wasn’t pleasant, with Minter quoted as saying, “No black man is going to take my title.” This was later refuted by Minter, but the pre-fight atmosphere was stoked. 

Minter looked to start brightly, but the accuracy of Hagler was the difference, and “Marvellous” quickly established his jab and began taking Minter apart in the second round.

Hagler’s head movement saw him slip many punches from Minter. The champion was brave, but Hagler was a class above, winning the fight on the inside and outside.

The third round was a brutal beatdown from Hagler, who landed hooks, jabs, and uppercuts, leaving Minter battered and bloodied. Following an inspection from the ringside physician of some serious damage around Minter’s eyes, the fight was waved off with Hagler falling to his knees in celebration.

Aftermath and Hagler’s legacy

Once Marvin Hagler vs Alan Minter was waved off, a riot broke out among the spectators, with the new champion and his team having to be escorted to the changing rooms, under a downpour of beer bottles and glasses, instead of collecting his belts in the ring.

This win at the time was undoubtedly Hagler’s finest victory to this point in his career. Memorable wins over Vito Antuofermo, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns followed in subsequent years. 

His final fight ended in a controversial split decision against Sugar Ray Leonard, a decision that remains disputed to this day.

Looking back at Marvin Hagler vs Alan Minter, this was undoubtedly one of Hagler’s best performances. It was a win that finally made “Marvellous” a world champion. Even after his death in 2021, Hagler’s legacy continues to live on.