It’s something of a personal nostalgic feel to part of the news this week as Stuart & Zack talk about the very recent passing of two icons from not just our sporting world, but from a special part of our sporting past.
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The first was the news that Formula 1 commentating legend, Murray Walker has passed over to the great motor racing circuit in the sky. For many, including myself, his commentary was our formative introduction to the world of motor racing in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In the years since his retirement it’s safe to say no one has come close to the style, energy and enthusiasm he brought to the sport – and while he may sometimes be remembered as much for his idiosyncratic ‘mis-quotes’ as anything, this only added to his mantel as a British institution loved and respected both inside and outside the sport.
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The 2nd was the genuine shock of the news that boxing legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler had died at the criminally young age of 66. There is absolutely no argument (and quite simply if you do disagree, then you are catastrophically incorrect) that the golden era of Boxing was in the form of the middleweight tussles that took place in the 1980’s between a group of fighters who became referred to as the four kings; Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns & Marvin Hagler. In Boxing nowadays you could be forgiven for thinking that avoiding a fighter in your division in order to play politics, gain a bigger purse or any taking part in other publicity shenanigans is an industry in itself. Not for these guys – they didn’t just resit avoiding the big match ups – they actively went out of their way to face up to their rivals. They wanted to fight each other, but not only that, they wanted to destroy each other……. and over 9 often brutal fights, it was often glorious.
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The 1985 between Thomas Hearns & Marvin Hagler is regarded as arguably the greatest fight of all time. This claim in itself would be contentious without the astonishing fact that it only last 8 minutes when the fight was stopped in the 3rd round. The first round on its own stands up as perhaps the most brutal onslaught between two fearless fighters that you could ever wish (or not wish) to see. In fact on hearing the sad news this morning I watched the 1st round again and it still takes the breath away. In all honesty, Hearns was as always my guy and I was devastated at the end when he lost to the seismic brutally of Hagler – and yes I cried. But I also had a huge respect for the bravery and determination of the Marvellous Marvin that never ended. That respect was if anything enhanced by his decision to retire after the contentious split- decision in favour of Sugar Ray Leonard in 1989.
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I’m sure the loss I felt an hearing the passing of Marvellous Marvin Hagler relates as much as a bygone time of my youth as much as it does to a genuinely great sporting era. Bugger and bugger.
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In other 5DNEWS there’s an addition to the celebrity unboxing of Leeds United merchandise as well as a look ahead to the much anticipated (to say the least) arrival of Zack Snyder’s cut of The Justice League as well as the next in line for greatness Marvel TV series, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier.
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In the main section of the show there are are let’s say, a mixture of adding a couple of recent movie viewings this week; the 2020 Rogue, featuring Megan Fox as a battle-hardened mercenary (no, really) and the 2019 Drug Cartel action type thing, Miss Bala. We always love to hear from the foolhardy souls who listen to this podcast so feel free to send any views, comments, questions, criticisms (hopefully not), or outright proclamations of love and adoration in the comments section below or directly via the 5D Website at 5d-blog.com. Also, if you would like to subscribe for free to receive email newsletter updates from 5D then just complete the ‘Subscribe’ section on the 5D Website.
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