By: BRUCE C.T.WRIGHT
The boxing world was stunned to learn of the news that “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler died on Saturday at the age of 66. His wife made the announcement on the legendary boxer’s Facebook fan page and said her husband “passed away unexpectedly” in their New Hampshire home.
Absent from all the news coverage and ensuing obituaries has been Hagler’s cause of death.
That lack of disclosure drew attention to a couple of social media posts from fellow boxing legend Thomas ” Hitman Hagler with whom Hagler had arguably his greatest triumph in the ring back in the 1980s. Hearns said on Saturday prior to Hagler’s death that his former rival was suffering health problems due to “the vaccine,” using an exclamation mark for emphasis.
Hearns posted that message to his verified Instagram account and asked his followers to pray for Hagler, who he called “the king,” and his family.
“He’s in ICU fighting the after effects of the vaccine!” Hearns claimed in the post without offering any proof or specifying which vaccine.
Hearns assured his followers that Hagler will “be just fine but we could use the positive energy and Prayer for his Full Recovery !”
The Facebook announcement from Hagler’s wife came later that same day.
After Hearns’ Instagram post was widely interpreted as confirmation Hagler had an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, he went back on the social media app to add some context.
“Allow us to have our peace. Our love and respect to Marvin and his family, this is not an anti vaccine campaign,” Hearns wrote via his instagram stories “It’s outrageous to have that in mind during the passing of a King, Legend, Father, Husband and so much more.”
TMZ reported that one of Hagler’s sons said his father was hospitalized Saturday “after experiencing trouble breathing and chest pains at home.”
Hagler’s website was updated to say he died “of natural causes near his home in New Hampshire,” contrasting slightly with his wife’s statement that he died “at his home in New Hampshire.” Hearns initial statement suggested Hagler may have died in a hospital.
Hagler is forever linked to Hearns after beating him by TKO in the third round of their legendary fight in 1985.
To be sure, it was unclear when — or if — Hagler had actually been vaccinated.
Conspiracy theorists on social media cited the recent deaths of other aging high-profile former athletes like Hank Aaron and Leon Spinks who had been given the COVID-19 vaccine before dying as purported proof, but their deaths were never officially linked to taking vaccines.