‘Marvelous’ Statue of Marvin Hagler Now In Brockton, MA

Completed through a $150,000 grant secured by State Rep. Gerard Cassidy, the statue was created by Brodin Studios, a Minnesota-based company founded by three brothers specializing in police and military statues.

The Hagler statue is beautiful. For one thing, it is accurate. Unlike too many monuments, this one looks like the man it is paying tribute to. Hagler is poised in his southpaw stance while delivering a left hook and the figure is detailed. The body is well-muscled, the trunks and shorts hang naturally, and the face bears the same stoic expression Hagler often wore in the ring. The initials MMH are emblazoned on the trunks, and the word “Marvelous” is written across the beltline. Touches of color – red gloves and gun-metal grey trunks and socks – give the statue a vitality often lacking in monochromatic monuments.

The statue stands in the newly dedicated Marvelous Marvin Hagler Park. It is a small, urban park with two steel benches and a single young dogwood planted in one corner, just behind the Hagler statue. The park is located at the corner of Petronelli Way and Marvelous Marvin Hagler Way. Just up the block is the building that used to house the Petronelli’s gym. It recently had a facelift and has been converted into upscale loft apartments. Two of the gym’s old doors are preserved and visible from the street.

A Sunny Brockton Afternoon

My girlfriend and I visited the statue on Thursday. We were unable to attend the unveiling, and just two hours later, all traces of the ceremony had been swept up. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm. While we were there at Marvelous Marvin Hagler Park, people trickled in. They took photographs. They talked to one another. Without exception, they smiled as they told stories, explaining to each other what the marvelous One meant to them.

We walked around Brockton and bought onion rings from a vegan cafe located across the street from a barbershop named Marvelous Cuts. We saw on social media that people at the unveiling had received a program for the event. None were left behind, so we had to get creative. We made a short trip over to city hall, where Leslie was able to sweet talk her way to get a whole stack of extras. The city employees were generous enough to toss in bumper stickers with the slogan “Recycle Like A Champion.”

The program featured a striking portrait of Hagler by Merk Avelicom and an open letter from the mayor. “Marvin did not become one of the greatest champions the sport has ever seen because he was the most naturally gifted athlete in history,” writes Mayor Sullivan. It was the hard work that Hagler put in, the dedication to his physical and mental preparation that sustained his years of success in the ring. “It is his relentless work ethic that I believe best represents Brockton.”