Marvin Hagler coming to Aston Villa

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler is coming to the Midlands for a one-night only sportsman's dinner at Aston Villa Football Club next month.

The former undisputed world champion, who ruled the middleweight division between 1980 and 1987, will be the special attraction at the Holte Suite on Friday April 8.

Hagler will first be interviewed for the capacity crowd by another former world champion, Telford's ex-WBC super middleweight title holder Richie Woodhall, before fronting questions put to him by fans in attendance.

There will also be entertainment on the night and other famous boxing guests on hand, such as Birmingham's former British middleweight champion Wayne Elcock and Hagler's former rival, Tony Sibson.

Leicester's Sibson, who held the European title at the time, was stopped in six rounds by 'Marvellous' Marvin with the WBC and WBA world belts on the line in February 1983 and the two have never met from that day to this.

Promoter Ken Purchase has put on shows with the other three of the 'Four Kings' who led that golden era - Hagler, 'Sugar' Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.

But it's the arrival of Hagler, who retired after his only-ever title loss to Leonard in April 1987, that particularly excites Purchase.

He said: "To be promoting Marvin Hagler is absolutely fantastic and, when I spoke to him on the phone, he told me he was absolutely thrilled and delighted to be coming to the Midlands for this one date.

"For me, he is the best pound-for-pound fighter that ever lived. I thought he was a phenomenal boxer in a phenomenal time for boxing."

Now 56 and living in Milan with his Italian wife Kay, Hagler has many tales to tell from seven years as a world champion after ripping the WBC and WBA belts from Alan Minter at Wembley Arena in September 1980.

And Woodhall, now a trainer and colour analyst on Sky Sports' 'Saturday Night Fight,' is the man charged with delving into the psyche of the boxing Hall of Famer.

But Purchase has revealed Telford's favourite boxing son cannot wait for the night to come.

He said: "Richie actually asked me if he could the interview, as Marvin Hagler is his hero. He said 'I know more about Marvin Hagler than Marvin Hagler knows about himself.'

"I won't dispute that because I know that Richie, before he injured his arm and had to change style, was a similar, come forward type of fighter."

Tickets to see Hagler in person start at £75, which includes a four-course meal and seating to the rear of the dining room.

Gold tickets are £100, which include a meal and seating in the middle of the room.

Platinum tickets, which include meal, seating at the front of the room and a personal photo with Hagler himself, are £150.

For more information, call 07976 842 383.