Teddy Atlas has offered his take on a fantasy middleweight matchup between Marvin Hagler and Roy Jones Jr, predicting a decisive finish between rounds seven and eight.<\/p>\n
Unlike Hagler, who remained at 160lbs during his illustrious 67-fight campaign, Jones flew up through the divisions and once competed at a career-heaviest of 204lbs.<\/p>\n
Prior to that, the American had, quite remarkably, claimed the WBA \u2018regular\u2019 heavyweight title by dethroning John Ruiz with a wide points victory in 2003.<\/a><\/p>\n His most captivating performances, however, arrived between middleweight and light-heavyweight, with many debating where the explosive technician reached his peak.<\/p>\n Most, quite rightly, will argue that 175lbs and 168lbs were ultimately his most fruitful hunting grounds, but a razor-sharp Jones at 160lbs was nonetheless a force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n That much became clear when he outpointed Bernard Hopkins, controlling most of their contest with just his left hand, to become the IBF champion in 1993.<\/p>\n Hagler, on the other hand, enjoyed a far longer middleweight run, which, lasting between 1980 and 1987, included a staggering 12 successful world title defences.<\/p>\n Known for his ferocious style, Hagler ignited his title reign with a third-round finish over Alan Minter, before securing notable wins over the likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and John Mugabi.<\/p>\n