How would this fictional fight have played out had both fighters met at this stage of their career? Hopkins had just lost to Roy Jones Jr and Eubank had just defeated Benn.
I think Eubank may taka a close UD. IF you had said current Hopkins, then I would go with Hopkins close UD. Hopkins is not as fast or active as he was, but I think he would be too smart for Chris in his current form.
Hopkins win by points.Yes Chris Eubank was more dangerous early 90s,but Hopkins was smarter,still is.Eubank used to sometimes tire later rounds,loose balance and fall when missing with punches,Hopkins better ring skills,neater puncher.
Hopkins may have developed into more defensive, technical master. But back then he was just a badass. He was known as a puncher to a lot of people, watch some of his old footage and the commentators make very little remarks about his skills, but they talk about his power and his amount of early kos. Often they refer to the other bloke as the "boxer" but it soon becomes clear Hopkins was superior in all aspects. I think in some ways the back in the day Hopkins gave you more opportunities to beat him by being more aggressive but at the same time he generally beat you up before you could do anything. Ill give it to Eubank, he was a good middleweight and an excellent supermiddle but I dont think he handles Hopkins, who gave Primish Roy his hardest fight until Griffen @ 175. Even that version of Nard was on a different level, we just didnt know it yet.
Eubank UD Hopkins would have the edge in power, but NOBODY stopped Eubank legitimately - not even Carl Thompson, a proven puncher at cruiser could do that when Eubank was past his peak. Hopkins was green at that time and Eubank was always very smart. Too smart in this instance, UD 116-112.
nevermind who picked eubank by ko, what about hopkins by ko ! eubank would never have been stopped by hopkins in a million years. i'm picking eubank by points, hopkins wasnt at his best yet, eubank was.
Hopkins by split decision. Very tough fight to call. Eubank was very formidable but Hopkins has always been a great all rounder and was underated back then. No way either scores a KO though.