Tito. A guy like Hamsho is made for him, even if he would have absorbed a lot of punishment. Watched Benitez - Hamsho recently and don't rate that win at all, Benitez looks wrong from the first bell. Even though it's one of my favorite fights to watch, sometimes I think it's too bad Hops ruined Tito the way he did. An undestroyed Tito might have actually strung together an impressive run at 160 against less refined opposition like Pavlik and Taylor. He'd definitely have blasted the Oscar De La Tortilla Hopkins stopped.
Hamsho. I think, while still powerful, Tito's punch dropped just enough jumping from 154 to 160 that the toughest of 160 lbers had no more to be petrified of. They could weather brief storms of Trinidads best, and work their games. Tito would have obliged Hamsho's game trying to get Hamsho out of their, would have failed, and probably would have been narrowly outpointed or stopped late. I don't rate Tito at middleweight. Stellar welter and super welter, but a win over Joppy(good win, not a great one) and a fat Mayorga does not a great middleweight make.
One being a top three ATG middleweight and another with a great chin as well/nearly impenetrable defense, coupled with Trinidad being off for years and rusty.
Prime "Hammer" lacks polish, but he was tuff as nails and loved to apply pressure....... Trinidad loves to engage, but soon realizes he's not as strong at 160 as 1981 or '82 Hamsho is.... Hamsho chases Trinidad outta the ring by round 11.... MR.BILLbbb
I believe Hamsho's toughness rates up with the best, as does his stamina. You are correct in insinuating he'd be easier to hit though. But if Mayorga, who is in my opinion not quite as strong, could take a 7 round beating, I think Mustafa could do much better.
Tito has a good punch and may cut Hamsho, but being a rough, strong MW, will suffocate Trinidad with his pressure and body punches. Hamsho will shrug off Tito's punches and grind him down for a late stoppage.
I respect anyone who goes rounds with an early 80s Hagler, so my apologies to Hamsho fans if my first thought in this thread seemed flippant. Bottom line, I just don't think it's fair to Tito to use the post-Hopkins fights as an indicator of much of anything. Granted, there's a good chance Winky shuts him down anytime at any weight based on styles, but let's not undersell how impressive he was in absolutely torching Joppy. Who went on after that to go the distance with Hopkins and Taylor, and into the 10th against Bute. Wraps controversy aside, I'd say his power carried.
If Joppy was anything, he was tough. He proved that in withstanding the beatings from Hopkins and Taylor. Tito easily beat him into the ground. I think he survives a few shaky moments to stop Hamsho around the 9th.
