Hagler-Leonard Title Fight Probably Set for Las Vegas in April

Boxing promoter Bob Arum has scheduled a press conference today at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York where he is expected to announce that a world middleweight title bout between champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler and former welterweight and junior middleweight champion Sugar Ray Leonard will be held April 6 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The gross purse could challenge the 1982 Larry Holmes-Gerry Cooney heavyweight title bout, in which each fighter reportedly received $10 million.

“This will absolutely be a record purse for each boxer,” Arum said.

Hagler, 32, had been contemplating retirement earlier this year, largely because of pressure from his wife, Bertha. But the two finally agreed that Hagler would continue--at least to meet Leonard.

According to Pat Petronelli, the champion’s co-manager, the decision to fight Leonard was made, because “in 20 years time, Hagler did not want fans who were evaluating his accomplishments as champion, to say he ever ducked any challenger, particularly Sugar Ray Leonard.”

Hagler has been middleweight champion since September 1980, when he knocked out Alan Minter. He has defended the title 12 times, two short of the 160-pound division record of Carlos Monzon. Hagler’s most recent defense came last March at Las Vegas, where he knocked out John (The Beast) Mugabi in the 11th round.

Leonard, one of the heroes of America’s gold medal boxing showing in the 1976 Olympic Games, knocked out Wilfred Benitez in November 1979 to win the welterweight title. He lost the crown to Roberto Duran seven months later, then regained it in the “no mas” fight in November 1980.

After that, Leonard won the junior middleweight title from Ayub Kalule, then underwent surgery for a detached retina in his left eye on May 9, 1982.

Exactly six months later, with Hagler present, Leonard announced his retirement from boxing, saying, “The feeling is gone. I will not come back. That’s it.”

Leonard stayed away for 27 months. He returned on May 11, 1984, and with Hagler at ringside, Leonard fought unheralded Kevin Howard in a 10-rounder.

Leonard was knocked down early, but rallied to stop Howard in the ninth round for his 33rd victory in 34 bouts.

But after the fight, disappointed with his performance, he again announced his retirement.

Last May, shortly before his 30th birthday, Leonard began talking of a comeback again, but only against Hagler.