2001-2003 Bernard Hopkins vs 2010-2012 Sergio Martinez

I like both of these guys a lot as fighters and as individuals outside of the ring. I'd say this much it would be a tough fight going in for B-Hop, him having to deal with the athleticsm and craftiness of a southpaw in "Manivilla" Martinez. (I hope I got Matinez' nickname correct.) Both guys are finely tuned well conditioned athletes and are always in good to great shape to go a full 12-rounds or even 15-rounds if that distance were still around. I think early on Sergio Martinez quite naturally would establish an early points lead on Bernard Hopkins with his athleticsm, sharp fast southpaw jab and very impressive lateral movement to give the "Executioner" fits before B-Hop would find his range and establish or impose his own physical will as a more natural Middleweight in comparison to Martinez, who can still make 154 and is still more of natural at that weight, Jr.Middleweight, than he is at 160. But Sergio as he's proven in his most recent fights to date from his convincing 12-round majority decision win over Kelly Pavlik for the Ring Magazine's Middleweight belt to his bone crushing 2nd round k.o of Paul "The Punisher" Williams in their rematch can get down with the best of them at 160 as well. In what would be a possible conclusion to this magnificent dream fight I believe that even as great an athlete and fighter that Martinez is I think that B-Hop's ability to adapt in fights against tricky opponents/southpaws as he eventually did against guys like Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright albeit at 175 & 170 respectively, and mind you before fights later in his career against Joe Calzghe and Chad Dawson well schooled southpaws at best Bernard's record against sothpaws was 11-0, the same would fall true here against Martinez with Hopkins roughing him up against the ropes with ample body shots and a decent jab of his own in the middle to late rounds of the fight and trying to put Sergio away the same way he did Oscar De La Hoya and while Martinez would wilt downstretch, like Winky did against B-Hop, he'd endure enough to last the full distance and make a mark for himself before losing a close but convincing 12-round decision.

 

A clone of the De La Hoya-Hopkins fight in my opinion.

 

For the sake of making a good discussion of it, I'm going to go against the grain and pick Sergio to win on points.

His movement, speed and fast hands would cause Bernard fits. Not to mention he has fantastic stamina, a high work-rate, and a good chin. Hopkins struggled with Jones' movement, and whilst Sergio's isn't as good, it's still very good. Bernard also struggled with Calzaghe and JT's fast hands, and Sergio has excellent hand speed.

I'm just offering this up as a counter to make an interesting discussion though, in reality I'd bet my money on Hopkins.

 

Hopkins late TKO.

Hopkins would catch him coming in with counter rights all night long. Martinez struggles against boxers and Hopkins is the master boxer.

 

Hopkins of the Trinidad fight age is a handful for even the greatest Middleweights.

 

2001-2003 Hopkins wins by early KO.

2004-2009 Hopkins wins by late stoppage.

2010-2012 Hopkins still wins by UD.

 

What a Joke.

B-Hop the best.

 

:good

 

Hopkins via clinic

 

a clone of the joppy-hopkins fight.

 

The Hopkins from 2000 would beat the **** out of Martinez. Very bad style match up for a guy with a low work rate, who falls into throwing one punch at a time, and doesn't have the power to hurt Hopkins. We all saw Martinez sucking wind after four or five rounds of Williams' high work rate. Hopkins hits harder than Williams, and could fight a grueling rugged 12 rounds. Plus Hopkins feasts on lefties. Martinez's face would be a swollen, cut, pulpy mess if he isn't stopped inside the distance.

 

Hopkins by competitive decision. He frankly feasts on in-and-out fighters and has always handled southpaws quite well in his prime. He'd eventually bait Martinez's counters and rush him with his own return fire, all the while displacing him. I could see him catching Sergio off balance with an overhand right even. But Sergio's own ring IQ and unconventional movements make it tricky.

 

You must not have seen the first Paul Williams fight, if you think Martinez has fantastic stamina. He was sucking wind after the fourth round. Hopkins didn't struggle with Jones's movement, he struggled with his handspeed. Martinez handspeed is no where near that level. He didn't struggle with Taylor's or Calzaghe's hands. Neither man hardly landed a thing on Hopkins. Hopkins just didn't have the gas in the tank to decisively beat either guy. Hence the controversial decisions. If you disregard compubox's ****ery, he outlanded both Taylor and Calzaghe, without throwing as much.

 

I love both these guys, but it seems pretty clear to me that Hopkins must be heavily favored. Martinez is no prime Roy Jones. Hopkins will handle him after the usual first couple of lackluster rounds.

 

Hopkins would win every round. The real question is whether Sergio lasts 12 or not. Martinez is very good. Hopkins was special.