Marvin Hagler was part of the greatest rounds of boxing in history when he met Tommy Hearns in 1985 which was later dubbed ‘The War’ thanks to an entertaining first

It was and still is one of boxing’s most celebrated fights despite it being one of the most short lived.

The 1985 ‘war’ fought between ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler and Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns gripped a generation and turned them into boxing fans – and it only lasted for three rounds.

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Many were remembering the Vegas fight on Sunday morning when news of Hagler’s death at the age of 66 surfaced.

There was an outpouring of love for the late middleweight great from boxing legends such as Lennox Lewis, Tony Bellew and Oscar De La Hoya.

In his prime, Hagler lived up to his nickname by wrecking his way to the top of the middleweight division and even beat the legendary Roberto Duran during his time as champion.

He fought Sugar Ray Leonard in a superfight in 1987 and Leonard told Chris Mannix “it was the closest I’d been to death.”

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Although the Leonard fight is probably Hagler’s most notable, his encounter with Hearns two years prior is probably his greatest and many call it the best three rounds of boxing ever – particularly the first.

Billed simply as ‘The Fight’ by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, it took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 15, 1985.

Hagler scored the knockout in what has since been dubbed ‘The War’ for obvious reasons. In the days leading up to the fight, Hagler even wore a hat with the word on the front.

It is a stunt that has been repeated many times since by fighters in press conferences.

“Every day people talk to me about that fight, like it happened yesterday,” Hagler told the BBC in 2015 on the 30th anniversary of the fight.

“And now I see why people think that fight was one of the best in history. It was the highlight of my career. Both of us gave our hearts, our blood – everything.”

Hagler was guaranteed $5.6million and Hearns was guaranteed $5.4m and the pair began the first round started at a blistering pace.

There was no feeling each other out; both men were going all guns blazing for the knockout and it led to countless wild exchanges.

“Even today when I look at the film, I’m so glad when that fight is over,” Hagler added.

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A minute into the third round, referee Richard Steele stopped the action so the ringside doctor could check Hagler’s cut.

When asked: “Can you see all right?” Hagler replied: “I ain’t missing him, am I?”

A fair point and the referee was told to let the fight continue. Soon after the fight resumed, Hagler caught Hearns with a right hook that sent the challenger reeling into the ropes.

Hagler chased after him and nailed him with a right cross to the chin, sending Hearns to the canvas. Hearns struggled to beat the count. He got up but was in no condition to continue, and Steele stopped the fight.

Hagler’s victory over Hearns was his tenth knockout in eleven successful title defences.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Fight Hub founder Marcos Villegas said: “If you’re a new boxing fan and you’re not familiar with it, go and watch [Hagler vs Hearns].

“It’s not an accident that boxing fans for decades always cite that fight he had with Hearns, especially the first round, because you don’t see anymore of an action-packed fight, just pure relentlessness and beautiful violence in one round.”

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