Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. It is a fight that has been talked about for over 5 years now, but with both sides failing to come to terms in the past, and Pacquiao meeting defeat twice, talk of the fight seemed all but dead. Now with Manny Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, it is a fight that has been talked about for over 5 years now, but with both sides failing to come to terms in the past and Pacquiao meeting defeat twice, talk of the fight seemed all but dead. Now with Manny Pacquiao?s recent return to dominance against Brandon Rios, and also getting elevated to the #1 contender spot in the WBC, talk has once again sparked about this fight happening.
In the third and final part of my ?On The Ropes? interview with legendary middleweight boxing champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler, I get his views on the event, and how he thinks it will play out if it were happen today. Marvin also shared his thoughts about a much talked about fight that never happened for his career, a fight with middleweight legend Carlos Monzon, and also shared his advice to anyone that wants to become a fighter. Here is what Marvin Hagler had to say.
Jenna J: Now Marvin, I want to ask you about the current boxing landscape. Who are some of the fighters that you enjoy watching today?
Marvin Hagler: Today I like to see Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao, the Klitschko brothers, and watching these young guys coming up. I know it?s just as tough as it is for them in their era as it was for me as when I was in my era, but the thing that I mentioned to you earlier, everybody seems to be getting a belt, they got too many organizations out there and not enough fighters are real legit fighters that deserve it.
I see fighters sometimes with only twenty something fights and they are world champions and they don?t stay there long enough for you to get to know them or not even the public to get to know them. That part is something a little strange, but it?s happening now, it didn?t happen that well in my career, I mean everything was very hard in my era.
Jenna J: That?s what people say in boxing today that it?s a little bit soft, but from your perspective, you?ve watched Floyd Mayweather Jr, if he was back in your era, how do you think he would of done?
Marvin Hagler: Well in my era I think it was much tougher and I think they would see what boxing really was about, and that things didn?t come so easy as it is today. There was a lot of politics, there was a lot of other ups and downs. It?s a strange business this boxing game. I think it?s not a game for everybody, it was hard work, just hoping for the breaks and hoping that somebody would give you that break. It was a long and hard road.
Jenna J: Speaking of Mayweather, people always wonder today, how do you beat him? He?s undefeated, you?ve seen his style. How do you think a fighter today would go about beating him?
Marvin Hagler: Well I think he?s at the pinnacle of his career right now, even though I think he?s got a style that creates a lot of problems for people, but he?s a good fighter you know, I take nothing away from him, but like I said, there?s none of the fighters that there was back in my era here today.
Jenna J: You mentioned Pacquiao a second ago, he?s basically just returned from a knockout loss, he won a decision. I?m just wondering where do you think he now sits in boxing? Do you think he could be that guy to beat Mayweather?
Marvin Hagler: No, I think there?s no secrets right now because after Pacquiao got knocked out I believe that Mayweather will find a secret. You know what would have been nice, it would have been the first part if they fought when they both were trying to figure each other out.
Now I believe Mayweather, by sitting on the outside he would have the advantage because he knows now that Pacquiao don?t have a chin like he used to, plus he would be a little nervous about being stopped or knocked out again. I think it would still be a great fight for the public to see.
Jenna J: Speaking of great fights that nobody ever got to see, it?s everybody?s fantasy fight at middleweight, you versus Carlos Monzon. I know it was briefly talked about when you were a contender but how do you think it would have played out had you two gone into the ring?
Marvin Hagler: Well at the time I thought I would have done very well. Carlos, I gave him a lot of respect, he was a real true champion and the only thing that disappointed me because I tried to tie his record with one more title defense, I would have tied it at fourteen.
I think something was in the makings of me not really doing that. I could have had that, that?s how close it was, but I think it would have been a good fight between me and Carlos Monzon, this guy had a terrible right hand, something like a Tommy Hearns, he could knock you out like that, very tall, awkward, but he was a great champion, that?s all I can say.
Jenna J: When you see young fighters out there today, if you could give them any piece of advice starting their pro career, what would it be?
Marvin Hagler: I would say continue to work hard, continue to sacrifice, the boxing game is not easy. Hopefully you will be able to put your money away and hopefully the dreams that you have, whatever they may be, will come true. Even if you?re looking for another big fight or who you would love to fight, hopefully these things will happen. Being patient was the best thing for me, so maybe it can be the best thing for them too.
Jenna J: Finally, for all your fans listening out there, any message you want to pass out in closing?
Marvin Hagler: I just want to say thank you all for giving me the support that you did and I would just like to say a Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and thank you for being a marvelous fan! (laughs)
