Would Hagler get through Hopkins title defences undefeated?

I liked joppy but minter outclasses him easily in a boxing match.as for sibson a desireless,faded,rusty version was able to be absolutely level with a peak frank tate before fading...says it all..tito was a helluva good ww and lm but at 160 minter repeats what hopkins did

 

Nice breakdown, and I agree with some things, but not others. I think Hopkins could beat SRL, but he wouldn't "outwork him", as he rarely outworked anybody. He was simply great a nullifying his opponents best qualities and strats and making it his fight. I agree it would start to get tougher as time went on, and Hopkins aged better, so the timeline for me gets skewed because of that. There's nobody on Hopkins title list that would present much of an issue with for a prime Hagler or even a good Hagler.

 

Quick fighters could trouble Minter but they had to have strong fundamentals to back up the speed, which Joppy really didn't imo despite his speed. Not in the mould of a Ronnie Harris. Cuts are always a worry with Minter against slashing punchers but I'd still make him a clear enough favourite. He was strong too with a decent punch, good enough to rough Joppy up at close quarters and hurt him. I'd favour him over Trinidad too, albeit in a closer fight than the Hopkins one. I really like the genuinely excellent early to mid-reign welter Tito, back when he didn't always attack in straight lines and used more than his power to break guys up, but not above welter. The way he took apart Joppy was surprising and impressive but I tend to think it painted a false picture somewhat. Sibson would've done just as brutal a job imo and I'd favour him to blast Tito out too in violent fashion as long as he didn't get sloppy or unfocused as he sometimes could. Too hard hitting and quick for Titos skinny frame at 160, though it would probably be a thrilling fight while it lasted. With Minter, I think Tito was too slow of foot and straight ahead to take advantage of Minters defensive flaws often enough, and Minter was tough enough to handle whatever did get through to him imo in between matadoring Trinidads attack and spearing him with high volume of hurtful straight shots from his southpaw stance and roughing him up and outmuscling him when the fight was on the inside.

 

Cheers.

Hopkins was still fresh around the Trinidad fight and landed 260 of 653. Leonard landed 306 of 629 against Hagler. I could see Hopkins being more aggressive (certainly more "effective" aggression) against a SRL and i believe he would try to tire the smaller man with constant pressure. Leonard would want the fight to be on the outside where he could utilize his impressive speed and skill. Hopkins being the great tactician he is would look to nullify this. He would be all over any attempt to influence rounds with late flurries.

I think he'd sit on Ray and tire him sooner rather than later. Ray's output would drop while Hopkins would be more constant. I think he'd bully him inside during the second half of the fight.

I cannot see SRL outworking Hopkins.

Agree no-one on Hopkins list at 160 overly bothers prime Hagler. I can't see anyone on Hagler's list beating Hopkins either. He would have very little trouble with the likes of Hamsho and Sibson imo. He'd comfortably decision Duran at worst. Hearns would have a punchers chance but Hopkins would have the answers.

 

Nice Breakdown man, and the funny thing is, I don't disagree with most of what you said. We are essentially disagreeing about how aggressive Hopkins would be, and I'm thinking what you said translates to it being a close fight again. It wasn't like Hagler didn't start to try and walk SRL down and be aggressive. What I'm saying is, that level of aggresion would be more than a typical Hopkins would produce. He just wasn't that kind of fighter to be aggressive enough to win a comfortable decision against Ray. That version of Ray would still be trying to potshot Hopkins, and Hopkins isn't aggressive enough imo to make it an decisive win. Good post though bud

 

Cheers mate.

I'm pretty sold on Hopkins going reasonably hard because it would far and away be his best tactic. He would be able to impose his size on the smaller man and tire him.

Leonard too was past his best against Hagler. He was also up in the weights. Hopkins by contrast was not all that far removed from the peak of his powers at this stage and would imo beat Leonard decisively enough for there to be no doubts. We've got a great prime big man vs a great smaller man past his finest form and best weight. Leonard would give a good account of himself but Hopkins too much for mine.