Hagler returns to Caesars Palace to marvelous memories

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Or more ironic.

After celebrating its first two years at the Monte Carlo and the Tropicana, the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame held its induction ceremonies Saturday at Caesars Palace. And among the 21 newest members was Marvelous Marvin Hagler, a former world middleweight champion who had the greatest moment and the worst moment of his illustrious career at Caesars' old outdoor stadium.

It was there where Hagler knocked out Thomas Hearns on April 15, 1985, in what was one of the greatest fights in boxing history, though it lasted less than three rounds. It was also the place where Hagler left the sport after losing a 12-round split decision to Sugar Ray Leonard on April 6, 1987.

"It's always great to come back to Caesars Palace, where I have so many memories," Hagler said Saturday. "It feels like home."

Hagler was one of seven boxers inducted as non-Nevada residents, with Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Lennox Lewis, Marco Antonio Barrera, Felix Trinidad and Gene Fullmer.

"It's a wonderful honor, and I'm glad to be part of this," Hagler said. "Nevada needs this. There have been so many great fights in Las Vegas over the years, and I'm grateful to the committee for choosing me."

Now 61, Hagler said it seems like yesterday that he fought Hearns, Leonard, Roberto Duran (a 15-round win in 1983) and Vito Antuofermo (a draw in 1979) — all at Caesars. Hagler, who was 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts in his 15-year career and at one point had a 36-0-1 streak, went 5-1-1 in Las Vegas.

"Where did all the time go?" he asked.

Hagler, who went into acting when Leonard wouldn't give him a rematch after their 1987 fight, said he made the right decision to leave boxing when he did, though he was only 33.

"When I came into boxing, I walked it, I talked it, I slept it," he said. "I'm glad I didn't feel it.

"Life goes on. You have to find something to do after boxing, and for me, acting was it. The good thing about acting is it's not real. You can die and come back. I died twice in one day in a film."

Leonard and Hagler met during the Hall of Fame's party Friday, and Hagler said the two have reconciled. Same for his relationship with Hearns and Duran.

"We still talk," Hagler said of Leonard. "He was a great opponent, even though I still think I won the fight.

"Back then, we didn't like each other. I didn't like Tommy. I didn't like Duran. I didn't like Ray. But that's the way it was. You had to build a hatred for your opponents before you got in the ring."

Hagler said he still follows boxing and doesn't begrudge Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao for making hundreds of millions of dollars.

"I say God bless them if they can make money in this fight game," Hagler said. "You can't be jealous about it.

"There's some good, young fighters coming up. But we're talking about a different era than the one I fought in. I wanted to be a throwback to the old days. I learned to stay hungry and work hard. I was able to fight on the inside and on the outside, and I was blessed with the ability to punch hard. But I was never satisfied.

"Guys now, they fight in junior welterweight and super middleweight. What is this? All these divisions because guys can't discipline themselves and stay dedicated to making the weight? I'd like to see it go back to the old days when you didn't have all these divisions and the champions fought each other."

Hagler still looks as if he could whip a lot of fighters. He knows how fans who saw him fight retain vivid memories, particularly the 1985 bout with Hearns.

"People say to me, 'I stopped watching boxing after you retired,'" Hagler said. "People come up to me all the time and tell me where they were the night me and Hearns fought. It's all very humbling. People call me a legend, and I get chills up and down my body."

Hagler said he had a tough time initially when he retired in 1987. But once he convinced himself there was life beyond boxing, he was able to move on.

"It was sad when you have to say goodbye to something you love," he said. "I cried when I knew I wouldn't put my gloves on again. But I moved on to my movie career, and I believe I made a wise decision. I proved to the world I had nothing left to accomplish when it came to boxing, and everything worked out for me."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj