A Back Injury to Hagler May Force Postponement of Mugabi Title Bout

A back injury suffered by Marvelous Marvin Hagler may force the postponement of his Nov. 14 middleweight title defense against John Mugabi.

Hagler will be examined again Friday by his doctor, and a decision will be made at that time on whether to delay the entire card, promoter Bob Arum said.

The card also includes Thomas Hearns in a 12-round fight against No. 1-ranked middleweight James Shuler--a fight that could lead to a rematch of last April’s spectacular battle between Hearns and Hagler.

Arum spokesman Rich Rose said Hagler suffered a lumbo-sacral strain in his lower back during training this week at his Brockton, Mass., gym. Rose said Hagler’s physician, Dr. Louis Abdu, prescribed heat, medication and a short rest period to clear up the ailment.

Any delay would probably be for no more than two weeks.