MIDDLEWEIGHT legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler has paid Nigel Benn the ultimate compliment.

In an exclusive interview with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph he said: "The way that guy fights I'm glad to be retired - he's more brutal than I was."

Throughout a 15-year career, Hagler wreaked havoc on his division, coming within one fight of equalling Carlos Monzon's record of 14 world middleweight title defences.

Tonight Benn is making the 10th defence of the WBC super middleweight title against mandatory challenger Sugar Boy Malinga at the Newcastle Arena.

And Hagler has no doubts that the Dark Destroyer will leave his mark on boxing history.

"He fights with the same intensity and whole-hearted commitment that I did during my career," said Hagler who is currently filming on location in Milan. "Five years ago he defeated my half-brother, Robbie Simms, in Bethnal Green, London and I was very impressed.

"He showed great heart and has kayo power in both of his fists.

"My old mission was "destruct and destroy" and he's cut out of the same mould.

"Me and him would have been a great fight - we could have packed your Wembley stadium for that one."

It is over 15 years since Hagler won the world title at Wembley Arena when he stopped Alan Minter on cuts in the third round.

His victory provoked some of the most disgraceful scenes ever witnessed at a boxing match in Britain.

"Bottles, glasses, beer cans all came hurtling down on top of me when the ref stopped the fight," recalled Hagler.

"I didn't even get presented with my belt in the ring - my cornermen had to shield me out of the arena.

"It hurt me at the time because my moment of glory was spoilt by these hooligans but it's now all forgotten."

Not as easily forgotten is the manner in which he lost his title in 1987 on a split decision to Sugar Ray Leonard.

"They (the judges) robbed me of my title and to give to Leonard of all people was not enjoyable."

Hagler expects an emphatic victory for Benn tonight, some time around the eighth round.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.