Marvin Hagler defended his undisputed middleweight world title against Roberto Duran
Date: November 10, 1983
Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Haglar stance: southpaw
Duran stance: orthodox
Marvin Hagler turned pro in 1973 after a short but impressive stint as an amateur. He became undisputed middleweight champion at his second attempt when he stopped Alan Minter on cuts in the third round of their bout in 1980. Hagler made seven defences of his titles over the next two and a half years, and in that seventh defence (against Wilford Scypion) he also acquired the IBF title, making him the first undisputed champion at a time of three major sanctioning bodies. Hagler was looking for a mega fight, for the money and recognition it would bring. His next challenger provided all he could ask for.
Roberto Duran turned pro in 1968 at the tender age of 16. He won his first world title in 1972 when he took the WBA lightweight title from Ken Buchanan with a brutal 13th round stoppage. Duran made 12 successful defences of his lightweight title, although he did lose a non-title bout to Estaban De Jesus. Duran became undisputed champion in 1978 when he beat De Jesus for a second time, and took his WBC belt.
Duran won the WBC welterweight title in 1980 when he beat Sugar Ray Leonard on points. He lost a rematch to Leonard a few months later, when he quit in the eight round. This was the notorious "no mas" incident. Duran failed in his first attempt to win the light middleweight title when he was outpointed by Wilfred Benitez. In June 1983 - and on Duran's 32nd birthday - he won the WBA light middleweight title with a savage beating of Davey Moore. For his next fight, Duran was attempting to become the first boxer to win world titles in four weight classes.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Marvin Hagler - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/8684
Roberto Duran - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000080