I've always favoured Hopkins to win a close fight head to head but I actually rank Hagler higher as a middleweight great as he has the better resume at that weight.
I could see either winning really. However I favor Hagler for taking on the likes of Hearns and Mugabi. Hopkins was really good fighting up close and could fight dirty, Hagler just had more experience and took on the much more formidable opponents who could actually box on the inside. Trinidad was a monster puncher, but he was much smaller and was good when he had space to punch, he couldn't really fight on the inside. I remember Antwun Echols gave Hopkins a pretty good fight and could might a little inside and outside, and had the power to knock Hopkins down. Hopkins was just much more skilled and won the decision the first fight and TKO'd him the second fight. I just remember Echols was just never on that level, but for him to give Hopkins that kind of trouble always stood out to me. Hagler could fight inside and out with the best of them and I think he would just be a class above Hopkins. He wouldn't be surprised by any of the dirty tricks and he wouldn't be intimidated by any of the mind games. I think if anything Hagler shows Hopkins a thing or two about operating the squared circle.
Haglers jab would be the difference in this fight, along with Marvins strength inside. Hopkins would have his moments and win many rounds but at the end of the day in a 15 round fight Hagler takes a UD ,, by 2 or 3 points.
Hagler. More dimensions to his game. Hopkins is pretty predictable IMO. Hopkins doesn't beat Tony or McCallum either
Only in the upside-down Bizzaro World does Hopkins stand a chance against Hagler. Here on Planet Earth I can see Marvin knocking Hopkins through the ropes as Joe Smith did.
Hopkins was far from predictable. His every move was thought out. He knew how to position his opponents so that he could attack. He was subtle in there and very sneaky. His super high boxing IQ took him to the top of the sport. Hagler is my all time favorite boxer but it's hit or miss with him against prime RJJ, BHOP and Monzon.
When you have to pick the Hopkins that was 150 yrs old as your example, it just looks desperate. That's like me using the Hagler of the Leonard fight to lose a H2H because he was so slow. I doubt you'll get much agreement here on earth about MH knocking him out of the ring. As for who would win, I can see either of them getting the nod - Hopkins' sneak lead right was a very tricky shot and would cause Hagler problems.
Imagine trying mind games on Hagler? In fact, I don't think B-Hop would dare and that snaps a string to his bow. And as for the dark arts inside the ropes? Well, watch out for that shaved head Bernard - it too knows the ref's blind spots. Also, Hopkins was very clever at taking time off in fights. That would be denied him to against a prime Hagler. Then there's that jab. Look, it would have been a terrific fight and Hopkin's ring IQ would have kept him in it. But in the end Hagler's relentless commitment to making the fight and making it intense wins the day for me...
I liked Bernard as a fighter but have to go with the Marvelous one in this matchup. I’d take prime Hagler over any MW. He was crafty, had a great chin and underrated defense and fought well inside. If Bernard wanted to fight dirty, Hagler would return the favor. Most of all, Hagler had an amazing gas tank and recouped stove ability. Watch the Mugabe fight or the Hearns fight. Hopkins was also a very good fighter and would not be embarrassed by Hagler. He had great size and always came to fight. It would no doubt have been a classic matchup. I hate these types of discussions because it’s so tempting to pick our favorites. Hagler was my favorite so it’s hard for me to be objective.
