Today in Boxing History: Marvin Hagler wins middleweight crown

On this day in 1980, Marvelous Marvin Hagler won the undisputed middleweight title with third-round TKO of Alan Minter in London.

Having turned professional in 1973, Hagler fought for more than six years before receiving a shot at the title. His first championship bout ended in a dubious draw with Vito Antuofermo in Las Vegas in November of 1979. Most observers at ringside were shocked when Hagler was not awarded the decision.

He responded by starting 1980 with three straight wins. Meanwhile, Antuofermo lost his belt to Minter, setting the stage for another Hagler title shot.

Going the distance with a British champion at Wembley’s Empire Pool is not a surefire way to win a title, but Hagler had no intention of putting his fate in the judges’ hands. He attacked Minter from the start, cutting the champion’s eyes so badly that the fight was stopped in the third round.

Minter’s fans reacted poorly to the newly crowned champion and began hurling bottles and beer cans into the ring. Both Hagler and Minter had to be quickly ushered out of the ring by police.

The night may have ended on a down note, but what followed was one of the great middleweight championship runs in boxing history.