1. List 3 middleweights you think are most likely to beat Prime 160 Hopkins. 2. List 3 greatest middleweights you think would most likely constitute B-Hops best head-to-head wins in an historical sense. 3. List in order the 3 most likely outcome scenarios you see in a mythical match between Hopkins and Hagler, 160 each at his best.
Charley Burley, Roy Jones, Sugar Ray Robinson. In a historical sense, Fitzsimmons, Walker, Ketchel. 1 - Hagler lands a little more to land a really close fight that becomes less purely tactical as it goes. 2 - Hopkins uses his range and size to eek out a hard-fought victory in an aggressive display that sees him a popular winner. 3 - A mess of a fight that contains elements of both of the above with no clear winner and a decision that is debated down the ages.
1. Monzon, Robinson, Jones Jr. 2. Hagler, Tiger, Ryan 3. Close win for Hopkins, relying more on boxing. Close win for Hagler, making Hopkins fight. Figth that is so close it will debated for years in which Hagler wins the fight stretches and Hopkins the bosing stretches while each holding his own in the other part. Same level of fighter IMO.
I would take the same three as McGrain did; Burley, Robinson, and Jones Jr. Burley/Hopkins: Not an action fight by any means, in fact it would be a feint-fest in order to draw countering opportunities. Each gives the other trouble stylistically, Burley would be throwing the harder shots and appears to be very strong physically in his fight against light heavy Oakland Billy Smith...this would be a razor thin margin for either guy. Burley's upper body movement makes it hard for Bernard...Hopkins' footwork/angles makes it hard for Burley. Robinson/Hopkins: I wrote a frickin' book on this already... Jones Jr./Hopkins: The young Roy's style, power, but mostly his speed gives Hopkins major trouble. On a given day Hopkins (at his very best, not the version who had to lower his punch output to nil to conserve stamina, that lost to Taylor) could beat anybody...Hopkins could outfox Walker, Ketchel, and maybe even (gasp) Harry Greb. The film of Burley is brief, and he looks like a terrific defensive fighter...but throughout his career, Hopkins is the best defensive middleweight on film bar none. His longevity speaks for itself...I don't have to say anything... Three likely scenarios for Hopkins/Hagler. If Hagler stays back and doesn't press, Hopkins takes this...Every time these two would fight it would be close...Hopkins' success with southpaws is his ability to lean back on his right foot and counter, with this positioning he essentially takes away the southpaw's left hand, but with Hagler, it's the right hand that is the best hand...this messes up Hopkins' southpaw formula I think...Each is capable of beating the other... I would also pick Monzon over Hopkins in a very close fight...awkward fight for both. Hopkins is better inside technically, Monzon is strong and rough inside...on the outside, what throws Hopkins off somewhat is Monzon's spacing and jab. this in my opinion, makes Hopkins have to come to him giving Monzon a slight advantage.
I have said this since forever, Hopkins is on the same level as any middleweight in history. Against Robinson, monzon and hagler, its a toss-up
Jock McAvoy and Bert Gilroy, Britain's best middleweights, both handled tougher, better & bigger men than Hopkins ever was. Marcel Cerdan, strong, fast, busy, too much for BHop. NONE - i.e. Steele, Krieger, Marshall, a 20 year range of far superior better middles than Hopkins ever faced, and the dozens they shared company with! Hagler out hustles, punches and busy's him to victory everytime. Hearns would blast him out! Hopkins IS the most overated fighter in history, along with LL!!!
Greb's workrate alone would **** Hopkins up. Someone is getting Dq'd or a technical decision and Greb would lead on the cards. Robinson due to natural athleticism and high workrate Hearns with his range and power shots at a distance. Roy Jones - see Ray Robinson
Greb,Robinson,Hagler. Greb ,Robinson,Monzon. Hagler takes a clear decision based on workrate. Hagler takes a majority decision based on allround ability,boxing and aggressivness. Hagler takes a split dec in a mauling fight that Hopkins instigates.
I disagree, even though speed fighters like Taylor and Calzage and Jones beat Hopkins I remember a pressure fighter like Segundo Mercado dropping him 2X...Lamotta put pressure on a fighter and could wear you down. I remember when Calzage started putting pressure on B-Hop, Bernard faked a few fouls to get his wind...it was evident he was stalling for a breather...Lamotta would not let him get that rest.
