How could Hagler stay retired?

[BattlingNelson]

All my favorites and almost all the great fighters take one or more fights to many.

Of the greats from that time period, Ali, Leonard, Hearns and more took to many fights. Not Hagler though. When he couldn�t get a return with Leonard, he opted to stay retired and settled down in Italy.

Of all the fighters that fought on too long, I would have guessed that Hagler, the bonafide rough, tough cookie of that period with boxing in his blood, would have fought on and on. He didn�t.

Why?

[GhostofDempsey]

Hagler was disgruntled and disgusted with boxing for what he felt was a clear robbery against Leonard. I think he felt that he was treated unjustly and it made him bitter and ultimately walked away from the sport. It was a way for him to feel empowered by snubbing the sport and not allowing them to make any more money from his fights.

[The Old LefHook]

He did his legacy many favors while fighting, and one final one by quitting when he did. Ghost on Dempsey is right on the money.

[BattlingNelson]

Hagler was disgruntled and disgusted with boxing for what he felt was a clear robbery against Leonard. I think he felt that he was treated unjustly and it made him bitter and ultimately walked away from the sport. It was a way for him to feel empowered by snubbing the sport and not allowing them to make any more money from his fights.

So you think he was bitter and that bitterness turned into stubbornness so much that it would keep his fighting heart at bay? It’s possible for sure and I think I’ve heard that before.

What about his family? I’ve never heard about his wife and her position in his career?

[GhostofDempsey]

So you think he was bitter and that bitterness turned into stubbornness so much that it would keep his fighting heart at bay? It�s possible for sure and I think I�ve heard that before.

What about his family? I�ve never heard about his wife and her position in his career?

I remember after the fight he was very vocal about how he felt about boxing as a whole and insisted he would never fight again. He had been talking retirement leading up to the Leonard fight, so it was an easy way for him to follow through. He earned somewhere around $30M when all was said it done from that fight.

He was a stubborn man who held grudges. He disliked Leonard way before they fought, and it didn't take much to get on the wrong side of him. When Hearns showed up at a publicity tour for their fight in a bigger limo, Hagler took issue with it and held it against him. I recall an interview with him where he said he still harbored just a trace amount of hate for each of his opponents he ever fought.

[Willie Pep 229]

Couldn't it have just been the smart move and he is smart man?

There is a prejudice; one expects a fighter to do the wrong thing, and when he doesn't there must be a reason.

For decades we have watched fighters spend themselves broke; so when Tommy Hearns managed his money well, the boxing wags don't praise his thriftiness, (being smart) instead they labeled him 'cheap.'

Why must there be bitterness for Hagler to walk away, how bout just being smart.

[Thunderstruck]

All my favorites and almost all the great fighters take one or more fights to many.

Of the greats from that time period, Ali, Leonard, Hearns and more took to many fights. Not Hagler though. When he couldn�t get a return with Leonard, he opted to stay retired and settled down in Italy.

Of all the fighters that fought on too long, I would have guessed that Hagler, the bonafide rough, tough cookie of that period with boxing in his blood, would have fought on and on. He didn�t.

Why?

He got around 30 million in 1987 which was 33+ years ago.Can you imagine how much that would be in today�s dollars.The biggest question is why no rematch with Hearns.He wanted no part of a second fight in what was one the the great middleweight fights of all time.The other upside was going to Italy with that kind of money and enjoying an acting Career.The biggest upside of all was he had already divorced his old lady.

[QueensburyRules]

He got around 30 million in 1987 which was 33+ years ago.Can you imagine how much that would be in today�s dollars.The biggest question is why no rematch with Hearns.He wanted no part of a second fight in what was one the the great middleweight fights of all time.The other upside was going to Italy with that kind of money and enjoying an acting Career.The biggest upside of all was he had already divorced his old lady.

- -The Hearns fight was short, concussive, and conclusive.

Not many interested in a rematch.

[Thunderstruck]

- -The Hearns fight was short, concussive, and conclusive.

Not many interested in a rematch.

You are your usual full of shat.Hagler was in a war was hurt and cut bad and people went crazy over the fight.If an idiot troll like you was in charge there would have been only one Zale /Rocky G. Fight.All were short violent affairs.Crawl back under your rock.

[billeau2]

- -The Hearns fight was short, concussive, and conclusive.

Not many interested in a rematch.

Hearns was as stubborn as Hagler and I doubt he would have refused a rematch... But I remember thinking at the time that Hearns really looked beaten after that fight. I think the way he spoke about the fight, to astute observers was as one who did not think he could take Haggler. In essence? I think Hearns aggreed with your assesment... Just might not admit it.