Marvelous Marvin Hagler passed away Saturday at the age of 66, according to a post made by his wife, Kay, on Hagler's official fan club page on Facebook.
"I am sorry to make a very sad announcement," the statement reads. "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 love
Kay G. Hagler"
Hagler became the undisputed world middleweight champion in 1980 when he defeated Alan Minter and went on to successfully defend the title 12 times over the next seven years, including a third-round knockout of Thomas Hearns in 1985 in a fight that is considered one of the greatest ever.
Hagler lost his title to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987 in one of the most controversial split decisions in boxing history. It wound up being his last fight, as he retired after not getting a rematch with Leonard.
Hagler began his boxing career in Brockton, where his family moved from Newark, New Jersey when he was 13 following the Newark Riots of 1967. Nine of his professional boxing matches were held at the Brockton High School Gymnasium, 24 others were held in Boston, and several more at other New England locations.
Hagler finished his career with a record of 62-3-2. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame. He was named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s by Boxing Illustrated magazine, and twice named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2001 and 2004, The Ring named him the fourth greatest middleweight of all time.