The World Boxing Association (WBA) mourns the death of one of the great legends of all time, American Marvin Hagler, at the age of 66.

This Saturday the departure of the former fighter nicknamed “Marvelous” at his home in New Hampshire was reported by various media and journalists around the world.

Hagler was one of the most impressive fighters in boxing history and one of the Fabulous Four along with Tommy Hearns, Roberto Durán, and Sugar Ray Leonard, with whom he shared a very important and remembered stage for boxing.

Hagler made his professional debut in 1973, just in the year he won the Amateur Athletic Union national championship at 165 pounds. That gave the New Jersey native the impetus to jump into professional boxing, where he would have an exceptional career.

The southpaw fighter had his first title fight against Italian Vito Antuofermo in 1979 but it ended in a draw, when they were looking for the WBA and WBC Middleweight titles. However, in 1980 his great moment came when he beat Alan Minter at Wembley Arena to win the two aforementioned belts and begin his history as world champion.

From that moment on, he began an impressive path that led him to defend the title on 12 consecutive occasions, in which he defeated names such as Hearns, Durán, Fulgencio Obelmejías and Antuofermo himself.

In 1987 he made the last professional fight of his career and fell to Leonard in a close fight that ended by split decision.

Hagler was a fighter who knew how to adapt to any fighting situation. He was smart, he could defend himself but he was a deadly puncher and had a great boxing style. During 67 professional bouts, among which he had great wars, he was never sent to the canvas, which was truly incredible and meritorious.

In 1993 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and will always be remembered as one of the greats of boxing’s golden age. He retired with 62 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, and 52 KOs. The boxing world is in mourning; one of the greatest has left us. Rest in peace, champion.