It was a subtle point for those who say the middleweight division is drained these days! Actually the talent level was worse when Hopkins was King @160. Tito, a blown up welter ranks as Hopkins best win. I'm not saying the talent level is great at middleweight right now. I am saying it's not bad, and the top level guys would rather avoid GGG if they can make money elsewhere. IMO, Golovkin's superior physicality and skills can make his competition look worse than they actually are.
I agree with this. The same could be said of the MW division during most of Hagler's reign. Most of the guys on his middleweight resume probably wouldn't have won a round against Golovkin.
He was his best win. Tito made more of an impact at 160 in the short time he was there than Hopkins did his entire reign. Hopkins middleweight reign is solid but not spectacular. His quality of opponents are about the same level that GGG is fighting now and Hopkins 3 best opponents were a blown up welter, a fighter who started off at 130 and Taylor who beat him twice. As for the thread GGG in 6
Trinidad by KO. Standing in front of Felix Trinidad and trading punches with him was a recipe for disaster. Even Hopkins had sense enough to BOX. Bumlovkin, with his come forward take one to land one style, gets KO'ed. He's simply too easy to hit and Trinidad is too good...
I mostly agree. You could say Hagler's most famous wins were over Hearns, Duran and Leonard. Honestly, I think Duran has no chance vs GGG, and Hearns would likely be knocked out. Leonard would be very intersting because of his skills and his A+ chin. I doubt GGG would give away the first 4 rounds and not go to the body if he fought Leonard as Hagler for whatever reason did. I'll even say Golovkin likely beats the Leonard that fought Hagler.
I'd say GGG with the consensus, but I don't think it would be a walkover by any stretch, Tito was quick and he could crack... recently saw an article at the scene, in which Breadman Edwards was asked about this...in his mind. he thought it was 50/50...Maybe Tito is being sold short around here...Just sayin'. He picked Toney, Jones, and Hagler over GGG.
I too think Golovkin beats that version of Leonard, but a fight against Hearns would be real interesting. Don't know who I'd favour, probably Golovkin based on Hearn's chin, but I don't think it would be a cake walk.
3G with ease. Trinidad is nowhere near him in the mandible department, and Golovkin hits as hard, or harder than anyone Tito ever fought.
Thanks, Van. GGG is something special, and many famous middleweight champs did not have a deep talent pool ( Hagler, Hopkins ), or had they're some of their signature wins over blown up welters ( Monzon ) The jump from welter to middle these days is pretty significant.
Tito proved against Winky Wright ,a good jabber non plusses him ,Golovkin's jab was excellent in his recent defence.It's too early to rate Golovkin for posterity , but not too early to pick him over Tito.
I watched GGG's last fight and was impressed with his complete dominance and power. Trouble is, couldn't **** Tiger or Gene Fullmer dominate the division today? Or Hagler? Hell, I'd like to have seen him in with Benn or McClellan!