Marvin Hagler Dead: Boxing World Mourns Passing Of Fighter Who Had Iron Chin

"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler will be best remembered as one of the dominant fighters of the 1980s and someone who had classic encounters with Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard. The undisputed middleweight boxing champion quietly passed away at his home at 66, a development that shocked the boxing world.

Hagler’s death was first announced by his wife, Kay G. Hagler, on her husband's Facebook fan page Saturday.

“I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time,” she wrote.

The cause of death was not disclosed. Hagler's official website was dedicated to his memory on the same day.

Hagler was one of the most dominant fighters of his time. His last fight happened on April 6, 1987, a controversial split decision loss to Leonard. It was an odd fight that saw him start in an orthodox stance but managed to regroup and give Sugar Ray a slugfest.

To this day, the result of that clash is debatable. Hagler wanted a rematch with Leonard, but the latter opted to retire, something he already said before that blockbuster encounter.

Fighting as a pro from 1973 to 1987, it was in September 1980 when he started to shine. He defeated Alan Minter to win the WBA, WBC and The Ring middleweight titles and went undefeated before falling to Leonard. Among his notable clashes were the November 1983 fight with Roberto Duran, where Hagler won via unanimous decision, and his April 1985 fight with Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns in which he won via TKO in the third round.

Hagler was a boxer that was hard to bring down. He had one of the great chins in the sport and is considered one of the greatest middleweights ever.

Hagler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. Aside from that, he was named twice as Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Boxing personalities mourned the untimely passing of Hagler. That includes Oscar De La Hoya, who said he was saddened by the death of Hagler, one of the greatest ever to step in the ring.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn also sent his condolences to the family of Hagler, saying, "Rest in eternal peace the Marvelous One!"

There was also Hall of Fame boxing analyst Al Bernstein, who had the privilege of calling some of his fights.

“I am crushed to hear of the death of Marvin Hagler. I have known him since the early 1980s. I was lucky to call many of his fights and honored to know him outside the ring. My affection and respect for him knows no bounds. Loved being around him. He will be missed,” he wrote.

Famed Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach also paid tribute to Hagler, revealing how the middleweight champion came to see his fight in Boston and how he appreciates what he told him after the fight.