Boxing legend 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler dies aged 66

• 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler has died at the age of 66, his wife confirmed.
• The boxing legend dominated the middleweight division from 1980 to 1987.
• He was an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Former undisputed middleweight champion 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler has died at 66, his wife confirmed on Saturday night.

"I am sorry to make a very sad announcement," his wife, Kay Hagler, said on Facebook. "Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire."

Hagler dominated the middleweight division from 1980 to 1987.

He made 12 defenses of the undisputed middleweight title. At six years and seven months, his reign in this category the second-longest of the last century. He also holds the third-longest championship reign in boxing history.

During his stellar career, he picked up many accolades, having been introduced to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

Hagler's boxing career came to an end in 1987 after a controversial fight with longtime rival Sugar Ray Leonard.

Hagler was expected to win and was the clear betting favorite but, after 12 rounds, Leonard won by a split decision. Hagler requested a rematch, but it never happened.

In 1988, he retired from boxing and instead pursued a career as an actor. Hagler moved to Italy, starred in numerous action films, and later provided boxing commentary for British television.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from the boxing world.

"I'm simply stunned to hear the news of Marvelous Marvin Hagler," three-time world heavy champion Lennox Lewis wrote on Twitter. "Not only was he a living legend, but I was proud to call him my friend. He was so full of life, energy and positivity in our conversations that you would never guess what a wrecking machine he was in the ring."

Eleven-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya also shared his condolences. "Saddened to hear about the death of Marvelous Marvin Hagler," he wrote on Twitter. "One of the greatest to ever step in the ring!"

David Haye, former heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion, said that Hagler was "one of the greatest to ever play this crazy game called boxing."

Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey, before moving to Brockton, Massachusetts, with his family, where he was discovered by the Petronelli brothers, who trained him throughout his illustrious career.