Tributes As ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler Dies @ 66, Wife Debunks Vaccine Rumours

As tributes continue to rain in honour of former undisputed World middleweight champion, ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler, who died at the age of 66, his wife Kay has been speaking out to address the cause of her husband’s death.
Kay’s reaction follows rampant speculations that trailed the announcement of the boxing icon’s death on Saturday with rival boxing legend, Thomas Hearns claiming without proof that Hagler was hospitalized from adverse reactions to “the vaccine.”
But attempting to set the record straight, Kay took to Hagler’s Facebook fan page, the same medium through which she announced the death on Saturday, and seemingly dismissed Hearns’ “stupid” claims.
Her comments dismissed conspiracy theories about the cause of death which flooded social media timelines that Hagler was in intensive care ‘fighting the after-effects of the (coronavirus) vaccine’.
“I was the only person close to him until the last minute , and I am the only person that know how things went not even his family know all the details and I do NOT accept to read some stupid comment without knowing really what happen,” Kay Hagler posted on Monday morning.
“For sure, it wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death. My baby left in peace with his usual smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense .”
Importantly, the vaccine controversy failed to diminish the huge acknowledgement of the American boxer’s prowess that dominated the middleweight division from 1979 until his controversial defeat by Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987.
Among members of the boxing community that expressed shock at the news of Hagler’s sudden demise over the weekend were fellow boxing legends, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Lennox Lewis.
Taking to social media to pay respect to Hagler and give condolences to his family, former World Heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson described the boxing icon as “one of the best warriors in the sport. Condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.”
Also, tweeting alongside a photo of the two, Sugar Ray Leonard said; “You are definitely gone too soon. But you will forever live on as one of the greats. Thoughts and prayers to the entire Hagler family.”
On his part, Lennox Lewis wrote: “I’m simply stunned to hear the news of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Not only was he a living legend, but I was proud to call him my friend. He was so full of life, energy and positivity in our conversations that you would never guess what a wrecking machine he was in the ring.
“Our wives would speak on the phone to connect us and I’ll miss his voice. My wife will usually say; It’s Marvelous on the other end of the line. We were anxiously looking forward to seeing him at our League of Champions Boxing Camp when it reopened.
“This one hits so hard also because he was the one I emulated my own training camps after when I saw how seriously he took his training camps. The world is one great man less today.”
Other famous figures from the boxing world that paid tributes to Hagler, include former WBA and lineal featherweight world champion, Barry McGuigan who tweeted: ‘Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the incredible Marvellous Marvin Hagler.”
“I’m honoured to have spent some amazing times with him. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champ.”
Also, World champion boxing trainer, Dave Coldwell added: “Gutted to hear of the passing of Marvellous Marvin Hagler. One of the toughest, and best fighters in one of the greatest eras in boxing history. Hagler along with Leonard, Hearns & Duran – the Real Four Kings.”
Promoter Frank Warren said boxing lost ‘an all-time great’, while Eddie Hearn said that Ring announcer, Michael Buffer will lead a 10-bell tribute at the rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez II on Saturday.
Buffer himself tweeted: ‘I am crushed at the news that MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER has passed away! He was-in his prime-POUND4POUND-the best, going 11yrs in 38 fights w/o defeat!
“He dominated the MW division 4 a decade! 62 wins/52KOs-3 losses R.I.P. 4EVERCHAMPION-4EVER REMEMBERED’.
Also, former Liverpool and Manchester United striker, Michael Owen paid tribute, saying Hagler came from an era of boxing that was ‘mind blowing’.
“That generation of Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Leonard was mind blowing. Arguably the greatest generation of boxers in a single weight division of all time.#RIPMarvelousMarvinHagler.””
Hagler was boxing’s middleweight champion between 1980 and 1987, with the 12 defences of his title earning him the third-longest unified championship reign in boxing history. The American was also named as Fighter of the Decade in the 1980s and was also inducted into boxing’s Hall of Fame in 1993.
Hagler’s boxing record saw him win 62 out of his 67 fights, including 52 from knockouts. He retired from boxing after losing the middleweight title to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1993 via a split points decision.
His wife, Kay, had earlier posted on Saturday: “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately, my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire.
“Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.” – With agency reports