Marvelous Marvin Hagler's grandson set to make his area boxing debut on May 14

James Hagler Jr. grew up in a home where boxing was a frequent topic of conversation. His father is the son of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the late middleweight champion who made Brockton proud in the 1980s with his seven-year reign atop the 160-pound division.

There was a speed bag and a heavy bag in the basement, and the young James Jr. would often have impromptu workouts down there. He saw his grandfather quite a bit, but, of course, never quite as much as he wanted, what with Marvelous Marvin (in 1982 he legally changed his name to include his nickname) splitting his time between his homes in Italy and New Hampshire, and James Jr. growing up near Atlanta.

James Hagler Jr. (2-1 as a pro) will be making his Massachusetts debut on May 14 in a bout on the pro card at Moseley's-on-the-Charles in Dedham. The "Mayhem at Moseley's" card is a Vertex Promotions show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., and has tickets ranging from $50-$140. Check eventbrite.com/mayhem-at-moseley's for more information.

James Jr. and his family always made regular trips back to New England, and long visits with his granddad were a focal point, as well as time spent with uncle Robbie Simms, once a world-rated middleweight himself.

"My grandmother (Marvin's first wife, Bertha) was always going back and forth (between) Massachusetts and here, for family," Hagler said from his home in Atlanta.

James Jr. enjoyed athletics, but never really pursued boxing until he was in college.

"I had gone to Dean College in Franklin, and played football there from 2009-2010," said Hagler. "Then I transferred to Alabama State, and it was down there, in Montgomery, that I first started boxing. Because of my grandfather, everybody in boxing knows my name. I hear about him all the time, wherever I go, whatever gym I'm in."

Real life had interceded, meanwhile, and Hagler went about his business, working a regular job. But the fascination with boxing never left him and by 2019 he was ready to take a serious shot at it. He's a little bigger than his famous granddad, and boxes as a light-heavyweight, usually weighing in right around the 175-pound limit.

In December 2019, Hagler made his pro debut on a card in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he stopped Michael Widmer in 2:53 of the first round. But that auspicious beginning came just a couple of months before the pandemic shut every sporting event down, so it would be more than a year before Hagler could continue his ring career.

By March 2021, Hagler was back in action, defeating Clarence Brown by unanimous decision in a bout in Decatur, Georgia. He was at it again last November, when he met Juston Stills on a card at Snellville, Georgia. But on that night his fast start got a bit of a detour, as Hagler lost by disqualification.

"Yes, it was the fourth round, the last round of the fight, and the referee said I was holding too much," Hagler explained. "I felt I was winning the bout, and had won every round up to that point. When the guy would come rushing in, I would tie him up and prevent him from scoring. I was really surprised when the ref disqualified me, and disputed that decision to this day. At least they could've let it go to the scorecards."

Hagler, now 31, had developed relationships with people in and around boxing both in New England and Atlanta, due to his family travels. Last year one of his many friends in the boxing world helped him get a manager. Hagler is now managed by Ryan Roach, a part of the Dedham ring family best known for former contender and now acclaimed trainer Freddie Roach. Ryan Roach is a founder of the Punch 4 Parkinson's benefit boxing series. Aside from his boxing activities, Ryan Roach is also a lieutenant in the Boston Fire Department.

"It's funny, but my friend James Sullivan saw one of my Instagram posts and showed it to Ryan," said Hagler. "Through James I was able to get to know Ryan, and I ended up signing with him in February. I think it's going to be much easier to keep my career headed in the right direction, and get fights on a more regular basis, with a real manager like Ryan."

Hagler prefers not to limit himself to one style, figuring that, just like Marvelous Marvin, the best style is to be capable in all of them, and able to switch back and forth.

"Boxing is so often a case of styles vs. styles, so you are always adjusting and reacting," said Hagler. "I can brawl and I can box. I know that I have good skills, but I don't just want to be a boxer, or just be a brawler. My grandfather could do both, depending on what he needed to do, and that's what I want to model myself on. I respect all of my opponents, and I make sure I always prepare for anything."

Marvin Hagler, who went 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts in his career, never got to see his grandson play football at Dean College. As James noted, the boxing champ's annual schedule usually had him spending the fall and winter in Italy, and coming home to New Hampshire in the spring and summer. But Marvin was a constant source of encouragement, and is never far from James' mind even to this day.

"Just knowing him all my life, having a chance to do some training at a very young age with him, it stays with me," said Hagler. "I haven't ever fought up there in New England, and Massachusetts, since I began boxing, at least not as far as competing. So I'm looking forward to it, and hoping I can do my grandfather proud. We're going to get it done."

The Hagler bout figures to be a four-round preliminary match, and the opponent is still to be announced. The main event at the May 14 show will feature Mansfield welterweight James "The Slim Reaper" Perella, whose 10-0 record includes seven knockouts. Perella has fought four bouts in a row at Moseley's-on-the-Charles, and has become a reliable drawing card, after his glittery amateur career which saw him win four Golden Gloves titles. Perella is matched with Mexico's Edgar "Tiger" Torres (8-3-1) in the eight-round main event.

Bridgewater double bill coming May 7

There will be a full day's worth of boxing on May 7 at the Bridgewater Vets Club. In the afternoon, an amateur card produced by Cappiello Boxing will kick off at 1 p.m. with bouts featuring tyros with a variety of experience in almost all the weight classes. All tickets are $30 and available at the door, and it's a bargain when you consider how many bouts you'll likely see.

By 7 p.m. Granite Chin Promotions takes over the Vets Club with a pro card featuring Holbrook's Mike Ohan Jr. and Quincy's Ryan Kielczweski in eight-rounders, as well as the pro debut of Brockton welterweight Dave Ribeiro.

Ohan, the reigning New England welterweight champion, is slimming down to 140 pounds to meet Argentina's Jose "El Chino" Aubel (8-9) in what should be an action-packed slugfest. Quincy's Kielczweski (30-6) has a crossroads-type fight as he meets Argentina's Mario Lozano (18-5-1), and it's safe to say if the 32-year old "Polish Prince" wants to continue to have a place in the national 130-pound rankings, he'll need a win against the feisty young prospect.

Ribeiro, a Golden Gloves and King of the Ring champ as an amateur, looks to continue his winning ways as a pro, facing off against Baltimore's Joshua Zimmerman in a four-rounder.

Tables have already sold out for the May 7 pro show, but $40 and $60 tickets remain available.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Marvelous Marvin Hagler's grandson will box in Dedham on May 14