I wouldnt consider Joppy and Holmes big strong middleweights. Yes natural, but not the biggest or strongest, and Im not implying Hopkins was weak nor did he not face strong guys. Hagler was certainly as strong as Echols or Allen, but a 100 times better fighter and they gave Hopkins some problems back in the day.
Jab, strength and power for Hagler? Hopkins has the height of Hearns, with a natural LHW frame. He only stayed a middleweight for so long because of his unusual discipline. I don't think Hagler uses a jab effectivey against a 6'1 fighter with Hopkins' defensive abilities. Hopkins bullied Tarver around the ring, he can match the marvelous one for strength. Marvin had an amazing combination of attributes, but the question is if these were the right ones to beat Hopkins, who only lost to fighters who had a sped advantage and the same height as him. A smaller fighter who can't significantly outspeed Hopkins, even as amazing as Marvin, would have a very difficult time against Hopkins.
Hopkins despite his mastery of the game is no match for Hagler's skills and power. Hagler splatters his brains all over the ring canvas by the 8th
Hagler doesn't have the power to trouble Hopkins's iron chin. An 8th round stopage or knockout? Get outta here kid. :hi:
Hopkins had admitted various times that Antwon Echols had him hurt big time so he could be hurt. Does that mean Hagler could finish him probably not but he has a better chan to knock out Hopkins late than Hopkins stopping Hagler late. If they fought 10 times i would pick Hagler to win 6 and Hopkins 4.
Power was not Hagler's biggest asset yet he still took out several iron chinned foes. It's not just htting power we're talking about, it's how and where you hit a man. A good sharp hitter like Hagler will often take out someone no matter how their reputable their chin. A good sharp jolt you don't see coming will do enough damage. Hopkins isnt just going to come away taking jabs that graze him and shake off hooks like they're nothing. You're living in a fantasy world
at 160 Mavin too fast and too strong...Marvin wins a close UD at lightheavy B-Hop stronger and not as drained may pull out a SD
Hopkins UD better boxer, better defense, smarter. 1 thing we can agree on the loser will be bitter and talk trash
I agree Hagler is of course much better than Echols and Allen but I don't see the correlation. Hopkins is better than Antuofermo and Duran at mddleweight who gave Hagler a few problems. In terms of strength I have never seen Hopkins dominated. I just rewatched Hopkins/Echols 2 and whenever Hopkins came forward he forced Echols back and he showed he was stronger also in the clinches. But of course Hagler was physically stronger than anyone else he fought but Hopkins would not be completely overwhelmed physically by Hagler based upon what he showed at middleweight and especially Light Heavyweight.
You can't beat Hagler unless you throw punches in bunches. Hokins doesn't fight that way. Hagler throws punches in bunches. He is relentless. Hopkins would not be able to deal with the style. It doesn't matter whether Hopkins lands counter rights all night. He won't throw enough punches to outpoint Hagler. It's really that simple.
To the person who doesn't see how somebody who moves up in weight and beats a light heavyweight loses to Hagler? Hearns moved up in weight and won the light heavyweight title twice, once against Virgil Hill, a terrific fighter. Hagler destroyed Hearns.