Small perhaps but very tough. And his power would have carried up to 175, and was elite, and that spells disaster for the beast.
Let’s see matching up a 100% legitimate natural Middleweight vs a very big Light Heavyweight who is soon considering making a Cruiserweight campaign..
Ridiculous fight to even imagine. Hagler never campaigned so high and Beterbiev hasn't fought anyone so good. Too many unknowns.
4 people who actually chose Hagler KO are simpletons. Not only is Beterbiev stacked at 175 and natural bigger than Hagler (who barely hydrated at all past 160) but he has a stellar amateur career. This guy could believably make cruiserweight. People also comparing the 34 yo Beterbiev now are being dishonest. Beterbiev would smash Hagler to pieces. Hagler top competition was mainly smaller dudes/small middleweights. Haglers best wins included pencil legged Hearns (who had fought mainly at welterweight) and natural lightweight Duran. Don't forget his loss to out of the ring for 3 years Leonard People's liken these past fighters to God's it's ridiculous
A rehydrated Beterbiev is closer to a sub 200lb Rocky Mariciano or Joe Louis in size. Probably punches just as hard too.
Truth, I've been posting this since I signed up here. The 70s era US HWs worship isn't as bad as it used to be, but it's still cringey.