Professional boxing middleweight legend’wonderful’ Hegler dies at 66
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Chang-yong = Marvin Hegler, the strongest middleweight champion in professional boxing history, died on the 14th (Korean time). Age 66.
The Associated Press reported this day, citing an article posted by Hegler’s wife, Kay G. Hegler, on Facebook.
Hegler’s wife said, “I’m sorry to make a very sad announcement,” and “Unfortunately, my beloved husband died unexpectedly today at home in New Hampshire.”
The exact cause of death is unknown.
Born in May 1954 in a black slum in Newark, New Jersey, one of the leading slums in the United States, Hegler is considered the best middleweight boxer in the history of professional boxing.
Hegler has held the position of the world’s strongest in professional boxing middleweight for nearly eight years.
In 1983, he won a unanimous decision against Roberto Duran of’Stone Fist’, and in 1985 defeated Thomas Hearns of’Hitman’ with a third round KO.
Hegler was undefeated for 10 years from 1976 to 1986 with 36 wins and 1 draw.
In April 1987, Hegler faced Sugar Ray Leonard in a’Century Confrontation’. Eventually, this match became Hegler’s retirement game.
Leonard thoroughly outboxed and wandered around the ring, and when the opportunity came, he struck a splendid battering attack.
Hegler steadily chased and punched, but couldn’t keep up with Leonard’s quick feet and punching speed.
Hegler retired after a career of 67 matches, 62 wins (52 KOs), 2 draws, 3 losses, and 12 middle-weight defense.
He was selected twice in 1983 and 1985 by the American Boxing Journalists Association’s’Boxer of the Year’.
Boxing magazine’Boxing Illustrated’ named Hegler the best boxer of the 1980s.
After retirement, Hegler jumped into the film industry and took on the lead of a B-class action, but he wasn’t successful.
Hegler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
Hegler’s special nickname was’Marvelous’, or’wonderful’ boxer.
It was a tribute to him, who ended most of the game with KO with his tireless game spirit, and who never had a KO loss no matter how much he was hit.
“Hegler was an honorable man, he kept his promises,” said legendary boxing promoter Bob Arrum. Mourned.
Trainer Freddie Roach, who raised Manny Pachiao as a world-class boxer, said, “Sleep comfortably, my friend. I also express my condolences to the Hegler family.”
© Chungcheong Today (www.cctoday.co.kr), unauthorized reproduction, collection, and redistribution prohibited