The World Boxing Assn. stripped undisputed world...

The World Boxing Assn. stripped undisputed world middleweight champion Marvin Hagler of his title, setting off a legal dispute that has the WBA at odds even with its own lawyer.

James Binns, counsel for the WBA in Philadelphia, said that Hagler could not legally be stripped of the title until the expiration of a 30-day period during which Hagler may appeal.

The WBA in Caracas, Venezuela, said it took action against Hagler because he refused to fight top-ranked contender Herol Graham of Britain. The decision was announced by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza, who said that to date, 18 of the WBA’s 24 executive committee members had voted to take away Hagler’s title, more than enough to announce a ruling.

Hagler, who retains the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation middleweight titles, has been guaranteed $12 million for a fight in Las Vegas April 6 against Sugar Ray Leonard, who is making a comeback. Only the WBC is sanctioning that fight.