Hagler-Finnegan I & II. Fight Reports.

[My dinner with Conteh]

As requested by my fellow Evertonian, Nemesis. Enjoy. :good




FINNEGAN- A MAN OF COURAGE.



BOSTON- March 4: Britain’s former middleweight champion Kevin Finnegan fought superbly against fearsome-punching Boston contender Marvin Hagler before being forced to retire after eight rounds, his face covered in blood from five cuts.


Finnegan (11-8) was cut over both eyes, on the forehead, and under his left eye, but it was the shocking two-inch split on his left cheekbone which compelled cornermen Freddie Hill and Mickey Duff to retire him.


In all, he needed 20 stitches. “His cheek was laid open almost to the bone,” said Mickey Duff. “He couldn’t have carried on.”

“But the fans loved him and they want him back for a rematch as soon as the cuts heal.” Finnegan’s purse was reported to be £5,000, but he can look for much more in the return.


Southpaw Hagler (11-4) was leading by just one point on the referee’s card at the end of the eighth, but he had lost the last two rounds clearly as Finnegan attacked steadily.

Hagler’s powerful hooking put him in control early on, but after being cut badly in the second, Finnegan became more aggressive. The Boston crowd rose to him as, blood dripping down his chest, he smashed back at Hagler with right-handers.

Hagler was shaken by rights in the sixth and seventh, but when a head-clash in the seventh opened up a gash on Finnegan’s cheek it became apparent that he would not be able to complete the 10 rounds.

Finnegan attacked throughout the seventh and eighth, winning both big but his retirement was almost inevitable as the blood continued to flow.

The fight attracted 5,300 spectators, paying $42,950. The severe weather in the Boston area probably kept the attendance down.








CUTS AGAIN STOP FINNEGAN


BOSTON- May 13: Britain’s former middleweight champion, was beaten for the second time on cuts by local middleweight contender Marvin Hagler at the Boston Garden.

Cornerman Mickey Duff retired Finnegan at the end of the sixth round with Kevin’s face a mess of blood from a variety of cuts. The finish was similar to their first meeting 10 weeks ago, when Finnegan was pulled out after eight rounds.

Finnegan gave Hagler a tremendous battle first time around, but failed to reproduce that form. Kevin has never been on the canvas as an amateur or pro, and he was never in any danger of being floored or halted here, other than on cuts. But he was fighting uphill all the way after a clash of heads reopened old scar tissue on his left cheekbone in the opening round.

Finnegan boxed coolly and countered well but the shaven-skulled Hagler kept driving him back against the ropes with a two-handed barrage.

The decisive flurry came midway through the sixth, when Hagler opened cuts above and below Kevin’s left eye.

“The important cut was the one-inch break at the corner of the scar on Kevin’ cheekbone,” Mickey Duff said. “It was certain to spread further and I didn’t want to see him go through that.”

[Nemesis]

As requested by my fellow Evertonian, Nemesis. Enjoy. :good




FINNEGAN- A MAN OF COURAGE.



BOSTON- March 4: Britain’s former middleweight champion Kevin Finnegan fought superbly against fearsome-punching Boston contender Marvin Hagler before being forced to retire after eight rounds, his face covered in blood from five cuts.


Finnegan (11-8) was cut over both eyes, on the forehead, and under his left eye, but it was the shocking two-inch split on his left cheekbone which compelled cornermen Freddie Hill and Mickey Duff to retire him.


In all, he needed 20 stitches. “His cheek was laid open almost to the bone,” said Mickey Duff. “He couldn’t have carried on.”

“But the fans loved him and they want him back for a rematch as soon as the cuts heal.” Finnegan’s purse was reported to be £5,000, but he can look for much more in the return.


Southpaw Hagler (11-4) was leading by just one point on the referee’s card at the end of the eighth, but he had lost the last two rounds clearly as Finnegan attacked steadily.

Hagler’s powerful hooking put him in control early on, but after being cut badly in the second, Finnegan became more aggressive. The Boston crowd rose to him as, blood dripping down his chest, he smashed back at Hagler with right-handers.

Hagler was shaken by rights in the sixth and seventh, but when a head-clash in the seventh opened up a gash on Finnegan’s cheek it became apparent that he would not be able to complete the 10 rounds.

Finnegan attacked throughout the seventh and eighth, winning both big but his retirement was almost inevitable as the blood continued to flow.

The fight attracted 5,300 spectators, paying $42,950. The severe weather in the Boston area probably kept the attendance down.


It makes you wonder if not for the facial injuries stopping the fight, if Finnegan might have come on to nick the decision

take it a step further, Imagine how the fight would have went if Finnegan was not hindered by any cuts at all

another interesting note, that seemingly the un-stunnable Hagler was stunned a few times


CUTS AGAIN STOP FINNEGAN


BOSTON- May 13: Britain’s former middleweight champion, was beaten for the second time on cuts by local middleweight contender Marvin Hagler at the Boston Garden.

Cornerman Mickey Duff retired Finnegan at the end of the sixth round with Kevin’s face a mess of blood from a variety of cuts. The finish was similar to their first meeting 10 weeks ago, when Finnegan was pulled out after eight rounds.

Finnegan gave Hagler a tremendous battle first time around, but failed to reproduce that form. Kevin has never been on the canvas as an amateur or pro, and he was never in any danger of being floored or halted here, other than on cuts. But he was fighting uphill all the way after a clash of heads reopened old scar tissue on his left cheekbone in the opening round.

Finnegan boxed coolly and countered well but the shaven-skulled Hagler kept driving him back against the ropes with a two-handed barrage.

The decisive flurry came midway through the sixth, when Hagler opened cuts above and below Kevin’s left eye.

“The important cut was the one-inch break at the corner of the scar on Kevin’ cheekbone,” Mickey Duff said. “It was certain to spread further and I didn’t want to see him go through that.”


Top class, cheers mate

[My dinner with Conteh]

It makes you wonder if not for the facial injuries stopping the fight, if Finnegan might have come on to nick the decision

take it a step further, Imagine how the fight would have went if Finnegan was not hindered by any cuts at all

another interesting note, that seemingly the un-stunnable Hagler was stunned a few times


Yep. Maybe Rooster was right and the best way to beat Hagler was not to jab & move but take the fight right to him.

[JohnThomas1]

Great post, Finnegan stunned Hagler twice, not that's some new information to take on. Looks like he was indeed human after all. How big a hitter was Finnegan?

[ron u.k.]

finnegan wasn't a big hitter but he could hurt you, was very savvied up and was basically a tough bastard.great chin and was always there right in front of you using his boxing skills.had three great fights with minter losing controversially in at least two of them,and had minter in trouble.

[My dinner with Conteh]

Great post, Finnegan stunned Hagler twice, not that's some new information to take on. Looks like he was indeed human after all. How big a hitter was Finnegan?



There's a nice article in the same issue as the Finnegan rematch concerning a certain Mr Page winning the AAU title. He beat Tubbs in the final, making it 6-1 in their series to your mate. Greg told the press "I've got more moves than Ali and a jab like Joe Louis". No wonder Larry pulled the Mallard trick then. :shock:

[My dinner with Conteh]

finnegan wasn't a big hitter but he could hurt you, was very savvied up and was basically a tough bastard.great chin and was always there right in front of you using his boxing skills.had three great fights with minter losing controversially in at least two of them,and had minter in trouble.



Spot on. :good


ps. I've only seen the second Minter fight and, like many others, think Kevin deserved the nod. Great fight.

[Manassa]

Great post, Finnegan stunned Hagler twice, not that's some new information to take on. Looks like he was indeed human after all. How big a hitter was Finnegan?

They also said Antuofermo stunned Hagler. What they mean is 'Antuofermo hit him in the face with a few punches that should have hurt any other man - we'll assume they hurt Hagler.'

[Mantequilla]

I've got highlights of the third fight as well.

Not enough to tell who wins(its about six rounds).

Finnegan looks to have won almost all of them.

[Sonny Carson]

Hagler wasn't unstunnable, but you couldn't badly hurt him.

[Robbi]

They also said Antuofermo stunned Hagler. What they mean is 'Antuofermo hit him in the face with a few punches that should have hurt any other man - we'll assume they hurt Hagler.'

Hagler sure was human. But sometimes his ability to take shots was incredible. Concentration levels are part of the reason some fighters get hit with bombs and don't flinch an eyelid. Mind over matter. Chavez was the same, his prime years more so.

[Robbi]

Never seen the Hagler v Finnegan fights. Need to check them out.

[redrooster]

Hagler's defense in those days was such that he he moved his head with the punch and so he didn't take shots cleanly. It was a sort of radar that lesser fighters like Benitez used as part of their defense.

[Manassa]

Hagler sure was human. But sometimes his ability to take shots was incredible. Concentration levels are part of the reason some fighters get hit with bombs and don't flinch an eyelid. Mind over matter. Chavez was the same, his prime years more so.

Hagler could definitely be hurt (just), but I don't think that first report is 'evidence' to go by, especially seeing as Finnegan was the crowd favourite.

[Stonehands89]

They also said Antuofermo stunned Hagler. What they mean is 'Antuofermo hit him in the face with a few punches that should have hurt any other man - we'll assume they hurt Hagler.'
Precisely.

Newspaper accounts should not be taken at face value -whether they cover a bout from 1910 or 2007.

[Mantequilla]

Conteh, just out of curiousity do you have the Finnegan Kalule report as well?.

[Holmes' Jab]

Interesting article. Incidently I've only seen one Finnegan fight, his second fight against Minter and he performed very well. A great contest, very close'un.

Does anybody know where you can get any footage of the Hagler fight?

[Nemesis]

Never seen the Hagler v Finnegan fights. Need to check them out.good luck :good

[My dinner with Conteh]

They also said Antuofermo stunned Hagler. What they mean is 'Antuofermo hit him in the face with a few punches that should have hurt any other man - we'll assume they hurt Hagler.'


I believe this is most likely.

[My dinner with Conteh]

Hagler could definitely be hurt (just), but I don't think that first report is 'evidence' to go by, especially seeing as Finnegan was the crowd favourite.


He only became the crowd favourite throughout the fight though, probably 'cause he was covered in blood, it took place in Boston.

[My dinner with Conteh]

Conteh, just out of curiousity do you have the Finnegan Kalule report as well?.


Most likely squire. :good

[Manassa]

He only became the crowd favourite throughout the fight though, probably 'cause he was covered in blood, it took place in Boston.

Yea, that's why the writers may (or may not) have taken a shine to him, just mildly exaggerating his efforts. But maybe he did genuinely stun Hagler.

[My dinner with Conteh]

It was probably just a grimace if anything. But the fight was very close regardless, Kevin seemed to have the momentum.

[Holmes' Jab]

Can't find any footage on youtube, I'd ordered a Hagler boxset from Boxingwholesale.com a while back and the Finnegan fight isn't on it for whatever reason.:huh

[My dinner with Conteh]

Can't find any footage on youtube, I'd ordered a Hagler boxset from Boxingwholesale.com a while back and the Finnegan fight isn't on it for whatever reason.:huh



I don't think it's available mate. I have two missing (Demmings and ****** I think), but I've not heard of any more out there. I'd love to see the first fight myself.

[Manassa]

I don't think it's available mate. I have two missing (Demmings and ****** I think), but I've not heard of any more out there. I'd love to see the first fight myself.

I've got those two. If I was more adept with computers I'd send you a copy of each. If you like, I'll watch them tonight and tell you how things went.

[My dinner with Conteh]

I've got those two. If I was more adept with computers I'd send you a copy of each. If you like, I'll watch them tonight and tell you how things went.


Yeah, nice one mate. :good

[JohnThomas1]

They also said Antuofermo stunned Hagler. What they mean is 'Antuofermo hit him in the face with a few punches that should have hurt any other man - we'll assume they hurt Hagler.'

So you've seen the said blows then.

[JohnThomas1]

There's a nice article in the same issue as the Finnegan rematch concerning a certain Mr Page winning the AAU title. He beat Tubbs in the final, making it 6-1 in their series to your mate. Greg told the press "I've got more moves than Ali and a jab like Joe Louis". No wonder Larry pulled the Mallard trick then. :shock:

Hahaha, class stuff! Page would have beat him in the pro's too, but was too damn fat and lazy lol.

[My dinner with Conteh]

Hahaha, class stuff! Page would have beat him in the pro's too, but was too damn fat and lazy lol.



They both were. But a 6-1 lead over Tubbs ain't too bad. :good

[JohnThomas1]

They both were. But a 6-1 lead over Tubbs ain't too bad. :good

Yeah, battle of the bust in their title fight, that's for sure. Page was a brilliant amateur, as was Tubbs of course.

[Nemesis]

I don't think it's available mate. I have two missing (Demmings and ****** I think), but I've not heard of any more out there. I'd love to see the first fight myself.

I have them too and without wanting to usurp manassa, I could upload them if your interested

Also I am pretty certain the Finnegan fights arent available, knockoutprom.com (or whatever its called) has the most vast list of fights i have seen anywhere.

Hagler fights in dire need of vs Ray Seales I, II or III

[AREA 53]

I tend to dismiss a few of Kevins losses along the way, Weir, Kalule, Tonna, !1st as being representative of Kevin, they are probably Representative of how he sometimes slipped into a flat journeyman mantality, i understand that the Broken Jaw kevin suffered against Frank Rechie effected him in the following Tonna Fight, Of Course Kevin at the end of his Career manged to get Tonna again, on Tonna's Paris Homeground, and showed him who was the better man.

Apart from the Minter and Hagler thrillers, i will remember Kevin for Beating French Darling Jean Claude Bouttier in Jean Claude's Paris backyard, (when Stracey beat Menetray ) ditto Tonna, and Also beating Wildman Frankie Lucas and Tony Sibson.

Kevin when on Song was nobody's easy meat.

One think i always felt mystified about, After the severe cuts in Hagler fight 1 - How come he goes back for a Return so very quicky afterwards ?

Was Mickey Duff so confident Kevin could do better second time around ...and Avoid Cuts ?? ( I must Read Duffs Book !)

[My dinner with Conteh]

I have them too and without wanting to usurp manassa, I could upload them if your interested

Also I am pretty certain the Finnegan fights arent available, knockoutprom.com (or whatever its called) has the most vast list of fights i have seen anywhere.

Hagler fights in dire need of vs Ray Seales I, II or III



Yes, unsurp the bastard.*


I have Ray Seales III. Don't think the other two are available.







* Only joking MM. ;)

[Manassa]

So you've seen the said blows then.

From Antuofermo? Yes.

[Manassa]

Yes, unsurp the bastard.*


I have Ray Seales III. Don't think the other two are available.







* Only joking MM. ;)

Well bollocks to ya :bart

Nah, if Nemesis doesn't upload them I'll give my own reports. But generally, the fights were quite dissimilar; ****** was controlled by the jab and got picked apart, Demmings was overpowered and bludgeoned.

[Nemesis]

If anyone else wants either of these fights send me a PM

[JohnThomas1]

From Antuofermo? Yes.

Nah, from the stated Finnegan fight. I saw later you hadn't. I'll stick with the fight report, with the provision he was stunned but likely not that heavily.

[Manassa]

Nah, from the stated Finnegan fight. I saw later you hadn't. I'll stick with the fight report, with the provision he was stunned but likely not that heavily.

I'm just saying that it's doubtful that Hagler was stunned, or rather, we shouldn't look at one fight report and assume Hagler was hurt. They said Cabrera stunned Hagler as well, but in reality, the latter just lost his balance and stumbled backwards. As I said before, another example is when Antuofermo was landing right hands - Cosell was shouting 'Hagler is hurt', but he wasn't. Antuofermo was hitting him but they were bouncing off, Cosell just assumed they took effect because they would against a regular fighter. Hagler was different; it was like shooting a tank with a handgun.

[JohnThomas1]

I'm just saying that it's doubtful that Hagler was stunned, or rather, we shouldn't look at one fight report and assume Hagler was hurt. They said Cabrera stunned Hagler as well, but in reality, the latter just lost his balance and stumbled backwards. As I said before, another example is when Antuofermo was landing right hands - Cosell was shouting 'Hagler is hurt', but he wasn't. Antuofermo was hitting him but they were bouncing off, Cosell just assumed they took effect because they would against a regular fighter. Hagler was different; it was like shooting a tank with a handgun.

I do understand where you are coming from, but it is possible he was slightly stunned. I suppose this is one of his fights there's no footage of or one of us guys would no doubt have it.

[Manassa]

I do understand where you are coming from, but it is possible he was slightly stunned. I suppose this is one of his fights there's no footage of or one of us guys would no doubt have it.

I think what would be more interesting is the Wigfall fight, where Hagler was apparently rocked from the centre of the ring to the ropes.

[JohnThomas1]

I think what would be more interesting is the Wigfall fight, where Hagler was apparently rocked from the centre of the ring to the ropes.

I'd like to see em all. Center ring to ropes, yeah that would be damn interesting.

[redrooster]

I think what would be more interesting is the Wigfall fight, where Hagler was apparently rocked from the centre of the ring to the ropes.

it seems like Hagler's been in some tough fights.

[My dinner with Conteh]

- Cosell was shouting 'Hagler is hurt', but he wasn't. Antuofermo was hitting him but they were bouncing off


But Cosell's a monumental tit.


I agree with your view here. My guess is they were good, clean blows that probably made the sweat spray from his dome, but that he carried on his business in his usual manner.

[ron u.k.]

I tend to dismiss a few of Kevins losses along the way, Weir, Kalule, Tonna, !1st as being representative of Kevin, they are probably Representative of how he sometimes slipped into a flat journeyman mantality, i understand that the Broken Jaw kevin suffered against Frank Rechie effected him in the following Tonna Fight, Of Course Kevin at the end of his Career manged to get Tonna again, on Tonna's Paris Homeground, and showed him who was the better man.

Apart from the Minter and Hagler thrillers, i will remember Kevin for Beating French Darling Jean Claude Bouttier in Jean Claude's Paris backyard, (when Stracey beat Menetray ) ditto Tonna, and Also beating Wildman Frankie Lucas and Tony Sibson.

Kevin when on Song was nobody's easy meat.

One think i always felt mystified about, After the severe cuts in Hagler fight 1 - How come he goes back for a Return so very quicky afterwards ?

Was Mickey Duff so confident Kevin could do better second time around ...and Avoid Cuts ?? ( I must Read Duffs Book !)your right about the bouttier fight i remember that night well,kevin was masterful in there.good night for british boxing with stracey stopping menetray

[JohnThomas1]

i also have Sibson vs Minter fight which is very rare indeed also Finnigan vs Salvamini which was Kevin`s final fight

Have you seen the Finnegan fight above where Hagler was stunned?

[ron u.k.]

i also have Sibson vs Minter fight which is very rare indeed also Finnigan vs Salvamini which was Kevin`s final fighti remember the bbc wouldn't show the minter v sibson fight because minter wore advertising down the side of his trunks.what a set of tossers.in later years i saw the knockout though and it looked like sibbo hurt minter badly.that film will be rare.