For me it is obvious that one of the two is the best middleweight ever. - Bernard Hopkins has more title defenses but I find the adversity below. - Golovkin is missing a huge victory. Of course for me he beat Canelo twice and is number 1 in history but we will stick to the official results. Carlos Monzon: 87-3-9 (59 KO) - Middleweight champion from 1970 to 1977 - Boxer of the year 1972 - 14 successful title defenses - Avenged his three defeats in points - Defeated Benvenuti twice by KO, Emile Griffith by KO, Jean-Claude Bouttier twice, Jose Napoles by KO and Rodrigo Valdez twice Marvin Hagler: 62-3-2 (52 KOs) - Middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987 - Boxer of the year 1983 and 1985 - 12 successful title defenses - Avenged two of his three defeats in points - Defeated Alan Minter by KO, Vito Antuefermo by KO, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns by KO and John Mugabi by KO - Two of his defeats including that against Leonard are controversial For my part, I never manage to decide between them.
Hagler was far more skilled than Monzon and his fight with Hearns was awesome as was his fight with Mugabi, he beat Duran in a chess match, I don`t rate Monzon`s opposition as high.
Styles. Hopkins is too crafty for him. Hagler doesn’t have what it takes to beat him, which is speed of foot/hands.
Nobody has an easy time with prime Hagler or prime Hopkins at 160. Great fighters who were too well rounded and versatile. RJJ might be the worst matchup for Hopkins, and that’s not an easy fight either. I guess you could say Roy was closer to his peak when they fought and his prime began in 94’ against Tate, but I don’t think it changes the result if you put that RJJ against peak Hopkins. Roy wins an ugly decision in a fight where both guys have trouble landing. As far as Hagler-Monzon, I don’t know. Hagler looks better on film, as Monzón looked so awkward and ungrateful, but he was brilliant at judging the distance and controlling the tempo. He was taller and had a slight reach advantage against the rangy Hagler. That might favor Monzón, but Hagler was lighter on his feet and great versatility to box and brawl, so it might be hard for Monzón control the pace and range like usual.
I would favour Hagler to beat Monzon. But the film of Monzon is very poor quality, maybe he was better than he looked.
You just say that based on the srl fight where Hagler had some wear and tear on him after being in wars. He might beat Hagler but it would not be easy. Sane for Roy Jones or whoever. Hagler is the best middle weight ever.