Antuofermo lost his title later to Alan Minter, who became the 2nd champion to be brave enough to defend his title against the Brockton menace.

Hagler went to London in 1980 and beat Minter in 3 rounds at the Wembley Arena. At the conclusion of this bout a riot broke out, and Hagler and his trainers had to be carried away to their locker rooms by the police, in the middle of a rain of beer bottles and glasses. Hagler was furious at not having the chance to be awarded his belt in the ring.

 Alan Minter fought bravely enough, but Hagler taught him a painful boxing lesson.

Hagler proved a busy world champion, and went on to have 12 successful title defenses. First of all, he defeated future world champion Fulgencio Obelmejias (1981) by a knockout in 8, and then former world champ Antuofermo (1981) in a rematch by knockout in 5, both at the Boston Garden.  

Mustafa Hamsho (1981) followed, and he was beaten in 11 punishing rounds. William ‘Caveman’ Lee lasted only 1 round (1982), and in a rematch in Italy, Obelmejias (1982) lasted only 5 rounds.

British champion Tony Sibson followed in Hagler's list of unsuccessful challengers (1983), falling in 6, and then Wilford Scypion was KO’d in 4.

Tony Sibson was a tough opponent, but nowhere near Hagler’s class.