Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler portrait

Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns pose for a promotional photo ahead of their fight in 1985. | Source: The Ring Magazine / Getty

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 Hagler’s Facebook fan page and said her husband “passed away unexpectedly” in their New Hampshire home. However, absent from all the news coverage and ensuing obituaries has been Hagler’s cause of death.

That lack of disclosure drew attention to a social media post from fellow boxing legend Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, with whom Hagler had arguably his greatest triumph in the ring back in 1985. Hearns said Hagler was suffering health problems after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hearns posted to his verified Instagram account on Saturday 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.

Hearns assured his followers that Hagler will “be just fine but we could use the positive energy and Prayer for his Full Recovery !”

It was unclear whether the Facebook status update from Hagler’s wife came before or after Hearns’ Instagram post.

 

It was also unclear when, or if, Hagler had been vaccinated.

Hagler was forever linked to Hearns after beating him by TKO in the third round of their legendary fight in 1985. They fought two other times after that and remained friendly in life, lending some credence to Hearns’ Instagram post.

But to be sure, there was no official cause of Hagler’s death announced as of early Sunday morning.

There have also not been any official reports of deaths attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has listed several side-effects that are common from COVID-19 vaccinations that don’t include death. They include experiencing pain, redness, swelling, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea.

There have been multiple deaths reported following COVID-19 vaccinations, but none have been tied to the vaccines themselves.

The effort to vaccinate America has been a massive undertaking, prioritizing people in Hagler’s age group. The vaccines are expected to be made available to all adults by May 1, with hundreds of millions of doses recently ordered by President Joe Biden.

There has been some vaccine hesitancy across all demographics, with media reports emphasizing distrust among Black people in America. However, a number of notable Black people have publicly received their vaccines without any complications, including former first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris.

SEE ALSO:

Beyond Mistrust: The Digital Divide Is Preventing Older Black People From Getting Vaccinated, Too

Racial Disparities In Vaccine Distribution Demand Equity In Priorities

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