Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the legendary boxing champion, died suddenly on Saturday, March 13, at the age of 66.
In 1993, the middleweight champion, who fought Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Hearns, Hagler’s friend and former rival, posted on Instagram shortly before his death, “He’s in ICU fighting the after-effects of the vaccine! He’ll be just fine but we could use the positive energy and Prayer for his Full Recovery!”
The post sent the internet into a frenzy as opponents of the COVID-19 vaccine interpreted it as a rallying cry for their help, but Hearns quickly put a stop to it.
“Our love and respect to Marvin and his family, this is not an anti-vaccine campaign… it’s outrageous to have that in mind during the passing of a King, Legend, Father, Husband and so much more,” Hearns posted soon after.
The champ’s wife, Kay G. Hagler, also put an end to the speculation with a tweet on the boxer’s Facebook fan page.
One of Hagler’s sons told TMZ that his father was admitted to the hospital on Saturday “after having trouble breathing and chest pains at home.” The vaccination rumors were also fuelled by that comment.
