Would The Executioner KO The Hit Man??

Bernard The Executioner Hopkins is a very shrewd and cagey opponent. But he can hit and has better than average stamina against someone like Thomas The Hitman Hearns. Hopkins style and lack of intimidation could prove problematic for Hearns. Thomas has the edge early with his movement, long left jab, and dynamite right hand but Hopkins would avoid those big bombs early enough to drag Hearns into deeper waters, testing his stamina. Bernard has excelled against flashier fighters before, Oscar De La Hoya, and against heavy handed fighters like Felix Tito Trinidad. Hopkins stops an exhausted Hitman late, TKO 10.

 

Hopkins would grind him down and seldom give him the range he wants. It would be hot early for him tho.

 

Man, I don't like Hopkins and I do like Hearns but this would be a tough out for the Hitman. Hopkins was a wily customer with good defence and he excelled at muffling, damping and otherwise disrupting the other guy's plan. Hearns has the speed and ranginess and firepower and yet I don't think that's enough. Borenard probably does what he does and wears Hearns down through the course of the fight for a UD or late stoppage. If Hearns does win - and he might - it would be through a spectacular KO and blistering barrage early that leaves people in no doubt that Hopkins could never beat Tommy, cause, look at what happened.

 

That is a very good post.

 

Thanks my friend. I had to think of the two styles. Marvelous Marvin Hagler took out Thomas The Hitman Hearns early on April 15 1985, but Hagler had the chin and firepower to do so, he had the tools. Hopkins does not have Hagler's firepower but he is very cunning, shrewd, sets traps for his opponents.

 

Hopkins has one hell of a chin too which often gets forgotten.

 

Exactly! Not too mention Tommy was not the same banger at 160 that he was at 147. He still has great power but let's not forget that BHOP was only really hurt a couple times in his career and the most significant time was at 175 against Joe Smith when BHOP was 50!!! BHOP had exceptional defense and if you some how got through it, you faced an ATG chin.

 

Around the time that Hopkins lost to Taylor, I can see a Hearns win. Taylor stunned him early with a cross-counter and used his jab and speed to squeeze out a close decision. Tell that isn't Hearns' wheelhouse. Not to mention Hopkins having transitioned to a cagey safey-first type guy who played for points. Hearns is real bad for the older version IMO.

The young, hyper aggressive and sprightly version from his early title defences should absolutely be favoured vs Hearns though, IMO. That verison of Hopkins was an absolute beast and would be perfectly capable of getting on the inside and roughing Hearns up. He'd make Tommy fight a pace he doesn't like and eventually TKO him. He was just as tough, strong and wily in those days, but he was mjch quicker and had endless stamina. I think the chip on his shoulder was actually bigger then too. He'd have everything he needed to beat Hearns.

 

Bang on. I do think because of a multitude of factors Hearns power at 160 has become a bit underrated. I do however think it peaked at 147-154.

 

To beat Hearns at any weight, you need power, aggression, and the willingness to walk through fire.

Hopkins is no stranger to surrendering reach, speed, and power, nor is he a stranger to beating up former welterweights. However, he has never beat a class opponent with a superior reach, not even Tarver had the jab and distance Hearns could create. Against Hearns, I think Hopkins gets outboxed.

 

I like the arguments for Hearns being put up.