Hagler calls for one world champion per weight division
The American was the undisputed titleholder in the middleweight category from 1980 to 1987.
Former middleweight king Marvin Hagler lamented the proliferation of world titles in the modern era as he called for one champion per division.
Hagler was the undisputed top dog of the 160lbs category from 1980 until 1987 when he retired after a controversial points defeat to Sugar Ray Leonard having made 12 successful defences of his crown.
The landscape is now splintered because of the four major sanctioning bodies – WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – which means there can often be more than fighter boasting of supremacy in their weight class.
Speaking on a more general basis, though, Hagler referenced himself and former great middleweights in and around his era who had only one goal: to be number one.
“I hope that before I pass that they restore this game and bring it back to only one champion in the world,” the 64-year-old American told Press Association Sport.
“They have these three or four belts, I was only looking for one. Years ago, guys like Carlos Monzon, Bennie Briscoe, Emile Griffith, all of us were fighting for one belt.
“If (a fighter) loses a fight or loses a belt, they can always go to another organisation and try for that belt.
“It should be exciting if they bring back one champion (per division).”
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is widely recognised as the current man to beat in Hagler’s old division as he holds the WBC and WBA titles while the Mexican could claim the IBF strap if he overcomes Daniel Jacobs on May 4.
He added: “Canelo, I’ve seen him fight about three or four times. He seems to be getting better all the time.”
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