Bernard Hopkins vs. Sugar Ray Robinson, at 160

for 25 years SRR fought champions and top 10 contenders over a 200 fight career - from the GREATEST PERIOD in Boxing!

do you people even understand what that translates to, BHop very good among the visably and historically good fighters, Hopkins a fringe contender back then!

SRR too brilliant in every possible boxing breakdown.

 

As I always say, (most recently when discussing Hopkins with Robbi just yesterday of maybe the day before) for me Hopkins' weakness is speed. I think it's blatant and is most definitely on film. Hopkins is a complete boxer and has mastered the scientific aspect of boxing. He is technically equipped to deal with any style because of his ability to dictate a bout with his positional sense, demoralising defense, and full arsenal along with feints. But fighters with hand speed have beaten him, the fighters who can beat him to the punch, that's when his technical superiority has become academic and it has been shown that it is not a style which is his kryptonite, but an attribute, and it is speed. Even the very little success that Pascal had came from his explosive hands and nothing else at all. For me Robinson is going to beat him more convincingly than Jones. The weakness which I personally diagnose Hopkins with is facing him in abundance here. And now let's talk Robinson, what are his weaknesses? People have reported that he had trouble with the likes of Tommy Bell. What we have empirical evidence of though is that his losses were inflicted by all out aggressors. Even Turpin who came froward behind a darting jab, forced the action all night. Hopkins can be a fine aggressor at 160 but he always did so whilst maintaining an impeccable defense. When he was annihilating guys along the ropes he always had his chin tucked in and was ready to slip out of range before catching a counter. For me you need to go all out to take the win from Robinson most of the time. And lets just be honest, Hopkins doesn't do that. Robinson for me, he'll do what Taylor did in mid ring, which was outland his man with the jab, and much more will come behind it. When Hopkins attacks, Robinson fights back with more shots because of his speed, and when Hopkins boxes as a general he may do some scoring, but he invites Robinson to have a go, and we know what happens then. Robinson on points.

That's not a classic forum biased post, as I likely favour Hopkins over Monzon

 

Toss up for me.

 

Srr...

 

Teeto has nailed it. Speed is the key to beating hoppo. Activity and power helps also. Robbie UD.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson would be too classy for Hopkins, SRR to win by UD.

SRR speed would ensure he wins most rounds on the scorecards, I dont see either gaining any knockouts and without a knockout I cant see Hopkins winning this fight, i think it would be a clear points win for Sugar Ray.

 

Hop would take it.Hop was to big,strong, with a great chin and as others stated Robinson could be out boxed and was before.I dont care how great Robinson was I cant see any natural lightweight beating Hopkins,especially on his best night.

 

Ray Robinson was NEVER a 'natural' lightweight, Robinson was a natural WW cum MW... and no matter how much you elevate Hopkins he's at least 5 years and a 100 fights short of proof.

man some people on this board should give a little more respect to HUNDREDS of Great commentators on this sport, rather than the here and now, and respect the facts.

SRR a natural lightweight, PURE ****!!!

 

On their best nights Robinson W 15 wide.

For Bernard to win, he has to have a great night, Ray have an off night.

 

SRR UD Hopkins. Did you say headbutts?

 

Is this really a discussion? Hopkins can't even throw a combination. He puts his head down into every attack and launches a pot shot counter punch, throwing himself off balance. SRR would step back to get his distance and land brutally.

This would be over in short order.

Good Lord, I rewatched the Calzaghe fight tonight. Granted it was a 43 yr old Hop, but that fight wasn't even close. Calzaghe's speed and pace made it, as Lederman and Manny said "an easy fight to score." 117-112.

 

Exactly.

Handspeed is B-Hops kryptonite, but only when the fighter has the ability/engine (mix of both?) to distribute it over enough rounds.

Robinson will have little trouble doing that. Robinson W PTS no doubt in my mind.

 

And yet Hopkins foot positioning made Calzaghe wail away like a sloppy amateur:think

 

Robinson looked bad so many times vs average to good middleweights, despite his speed advantage, that wouldn't even be a factor here.