Scypion’s coach, Kenny Weldon, had spent the buildup describing Hagler as a “easy fighter.” Weldon claimed the champion couldn’t battle inside, couldn’t function whereas backing up, and trusted circling to his left.
That was a foul scouting report and a good worse motivational tactic. Hagler took each phrase personally.
Scypion entered with the USBA middleweight title and rankings of No. 1 with the WBC and No. 2 with the WBA. He had earned his alternative by defeating Frank “The Animal” Fletcher three months earlier. The 24-year-old challenger had additionally by no means been stopped. None of that helped him towards Hagler.
Late within the opening spherical, Hagler landed a counter left that despatched Scypion staggering backward throughout the ring. Scypion survived, however the punch established who owned the night time. Hagler continued touchdown mixtures to the pinnacle within the second and third whereas Scypion struggled to entice him.
Judges Joe Cortez, Larry Hazzard and Stuart Kirshenbaum every had Hagler successful 30-27 after three rounds.
Scypion lastly landed a few proper fingers throughout his greatest spell within the fourth. Hagler’s response was vicious. Preventing southpaw, he cracked Scypion with a proper hook to the chin and adopted with a left. Scypion fell backward into the ropes close to his nook, the place Hagler unloaded hooks and quick mixtures till the challenger pitched ahead to the canvas.
Referee Frank Cappuccino accomplished the rely. Scypion supplied no severe try to rise earlier than it ended.
“He froze once we began buying and selling punches,” Hagler stated afterward. “He’s acquired a giant mouth. I needed him down at my ft.”
Scypion saved his rationalization shorter: “He’s the champion.”
The bout was wrapped in sanctioning physique foolishness. Hagler needed a standard 15-round battle, whereas the WBC was pushing 12-round championship contests following the loss of life of Duk Koo Kim. The WBA and WBC declined to totally sanction the protection however continued recognizing Hagler until he misplaced. The newly shaped IBF sanctioned the competition and put in Hagler as its first middleweight champion.
Hagler earned $1.25 million, whereas Scypion collected $325,000. Extra importantly, Hagler turned the primary fighter to carry the WBA, WBC, and IBF middleweight titles concurrently.
He improved to 57-2-2 (48 KOs), then defeated Roberto Duran over 15 rounds that November. Scypion fell to 26-4 and by no means acquired one other world title alternative. The night time belonged to Hagler, who answered per week of low cost speak with 4 rounds of managed destruction.
