Hagler Is Expected to Announce Today If He’ll Fight Leonard Instead of Hearns

Undisputed middleweight boxing champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler is expected to announce today, in a news conference at his Brockton restaurant, whether he will fight Sugar Ray Leonard or Thomas Hearns in his next title defense.

Speculation is that Hagler will choose to fight Leonard because of money. It has been reported that a Hagler-Leonard bout in November could be worth $15 million, $10 million of which would go to Hagler.

Goody and Pat Petronelli, Hagler’s co-managers, told the Brockton Enterprise that Hagler had not informed them of his decision.

“Marvin’s making the decision. We don’t know what he’s going to do,” Pat Petronelli said. “Ever since he was 15 we made the decisions for him. I think he deserved to do this. It was something he wanted to do.

“Whatever he decides we’ll abide by it. He can’t make a wrong choice.”

Hagler, 32, scored a third-round technical knockout over Hearns in a stirring Las Vegas brawl in March 1985. Hearns, 27, the World Boxing Council super-welterweight champion, has since sought a rematch.

However, Hearns was mediocre in scoring an eighth-round TKO against Mark Medal in Las Vegas June 23. In addition, Hearns reinjured his right hand against Medal, further fueling speculation that Hagler will choose Leonard as his next opponent.