b-hop v hagler

Hopkins' discipline and healthy lifestyle made sure had made 160lbs, easily. This was a man who in his mid-late 30's never went above 166lbs between fights.

People have banged on in the past about Hagler's spartan like training and discipline. By all accounts, he wasn't quite in Hopkins' league. I'm sure Hagler indulged in the odd cheeseburger and pint between fights, Hopkins doesn't go near that stuff.

Look at this factual evidence. Hagler said he couldn't get down to 154lbs to fight Leonard. It was simply a non starter. Hopkins on the otherhand was willing to come down to 154lbs to fight De La Hoya in 1999. Could he have? No question about it. When he did eventually fight De La Hoya at middleweight 5 years after he said he would fight him, he weighed-in only 2lbs above the jr middleweight limit.

Hopkins could've take off an extra 3-4 pounds, Hagler wasn't entertaining the thought.

 

..I actually think if Hagler started to brawl Hopkins would get the better of the exchanges with defense and smart counters...Not a lot better, but better.

 

I think Hopkins wins, engaging only when it is absolutely the most opportune moment for him to do so. I could see Hagler losing that type of fight to be honest.

 

[and watch tquote=MagnificentMatt;3409292]..I actually think if Hagler started to brawl Hopkins would get the better of the exchanges with defense and smart counters...Not a lot better, but better.[/quote]
Hey Magnificent, do you have an example of Hopkins brawling to a level that would offset Hagler. I'm not actually questioning your judgement (well, maybe a bit) but I'd like to take that into account and watch the particular fight.

 

Good stylistic match up? Against a top notch Southpaw?? Hopkins would have all kinds of trouble with Hagler, Absorbing hard bodyshots & straight left hands. Hagler would get inside & dish out punishment like Hopkins has never seen. A prime Hopkins is good enough to not get knocked out, But a prime Hagler is just too good period. Hagler UD 12 or 15 rounds.

 

No, a top notch southpaw who is short and not a speedster.

Besides, if Hopkins has anything, it is a precision straight right lead.

 

Been done to death, but then again alot of matchups have.


Anyway Hagler: UD. :good

 

Hagler wins unanimous decision. He's too strong and too talented. Frankly, I'm surprised by how much credit people are giving Hopkins.

 

LOL at the people who believe Hopkins would be stopped. Great matchup this. In their primes, a genuine 50-50 fight imo. I slightly favour Hopkins as he is clearly the bigger man.

 

This subject always comes up, and I'm too lazy to right out a new analysis, so I'll copy what I've been saying.

As I've always said, this is a very close fight between two great, versatile fighters.

Both guys are complete fighters. Hagler was a terrific boxer-puncher with a great jab, good combos, heavy hands, good set of legs, terrific chin, nice parrying skills and head movement, and he could slug it out as well and fight on the inside.

Hopkins is a master of controlling the pace and picking his spots. He knows the angles and knows where to position himself to land good shots and avoid the incoming. Like Hagler, he is versatile. He can box from the outside using the ring, or maul guys up close and "stink it out". He has a big of dirty tricks to frustrate opponents. As proven throughout his career, he is very effective against lefties.

Hagler had the heavier hands, superior jab, and was more proven in the slugging/pressure department. Hopkins was a little quicker and slicker, and just has a brilliant fighting brain in there.

No matter how the fight takes place, I see it being very close. I doubt either guy gets stopped. Hopkins is slick and has a sound chin. Hagler's chin was great, and he didn't exactly have a soft body either.

Over the years, Hagler was developed a reputation as a face-first brawler from people who don't watch enough of his fights, but he usually boxed behind his jab and broke guys down over the course of the fight. It'll probably be a pretty tactical fight, and I see Hopkins winning a close decision, with his straight right hand being the key.

 

Nice.

 

Hopkin's was willing to drop down to 154 for Norris as well, I remember that being discussed in a post fight interview in the mid 90's or so.

Makes his success up at LHW at past 40 even more amazing.

 

Heavier hands?

How many Hopkin's fights pre' 99' or so have you seen? He used to be the epitome of a boxer puncher, with a solid emphasis on punch.

You hear how Glen Johnson wasn't who he would later become even though he was 32-0 and 4 years into his career when Hopkin's stopped him, and one thing that you can't argue with Johnson is his toughness. The guys chin is ****ing ungodly, and Hopkin's ground him down and stopped him, still the only guy to do so.

 

All of his title defenses besides the Council fight, Jones, Mercado 1 and 2, Richie, Powell, Stokes, and Hall.

Hopkins hit Johnson with everything and the kitchen sink until the ref finally stopped it. I think the bodywork played a role too. If Hagler hit Johnson with those type of punches, don't you think he would've stopped Johnson too? I do.

 

Yeah, I think the ref would have stepped in if Hagler was beating on him like that too.

That means that their power wouldn't be significantly different from one anothers by your own standards, yes?