Hopkins, more rounded boxer, bigger, better defense, quicker. In his prime a much higher workrate with better stamina too.
Hopkins decision for me. He comfortably matches Monzon in size and dimension and has great adaptability and skill himself. Monzon's usual advantage in height and reach would be a non starter in this one. What a fight it would be with two fantastic practicioners shucking and jiving for the upper hand. Hopkins would have Monzon assume the role of aggressor and pick when and where to exchange. Hopkins footwork and control of range is as good as it gets. He'd be working angles and throwing feints and variety at Monzon and nullify the jab. Hopkins by close decision in (mostly) a chess match with a lot of close rounds.
Really going back and forth here. My natural reaction was a close Monzon decision, as he's better at dictating the range and pace, and would control the fight but it's hard to do that against a guy longer, heavier and still quicker. So I can see the scenario JT says, especially as Monzon had so many problems with an old Griffith in their rematch. Although I don't think Monzon would be the aggressor. That wasn't how he fought, and I hate how people paint him (not what John was doing, I know, I mean in general) when people who've only seen two Monzon fights paint him as some search and destroy type fighter, and I think it'd be an extremely boring jab-jab-clinch match. I think B-Hop wins on points is my pick, but it's close, and Monzon isn't a walk over for anyone. The recent underrating of him is ridiculous.
Monzon by stoppage in 11. Hopkins is so overrated and his little tricks aren't fooling 70s guys. He does not have the skill or power to hold off prime Carlos. It ends like the Smith fight. Before that though, the prison *** fakes an injury to get saved from Monzon
Hopkins would be just another Philadelphia fighter in the 60s and 70s and no where near the best. Add to that his punk heart when pressed and it's not too hard to figure out.
Comparing Griffith to Hopkins is about as stupid as comparing McGuigan to Loma. What the **** George. One has nothing to do with the other. Besides the fact Griffith beats Hopkins easily.
I think the quote Hopkins made before he fought Calzaghe would once again be proved wrong by Monzon. "I would never let a white boy beat me. I would never lose to a white boy" The Shotgun defeats The Executioner
Hopkins was one of the greats, but not on Monzon's level. Hopkins' best plan would be to try outwork Monzon but I think Carlos would draw him into traps and put a damper on that plan, and force it into being a jabfest. I think Monzon would win that.
OK Charley, lets put your synopsis, under the microscope shall we : more rounded boxer, well yes to a degree, but I wouldnt say Carlos was a bad boxer ( just different ) bigger, well have not checked on the rec, but Monzon was a big looking MW to me, better defense, only saw Monzon really hurt twice 1/ Briscoe 2/ Valdez, in a long career with record making defences, quicker, yes you can have that, workrate, well yes, but Monzon was very economical with his punches, but they would find there target, a high percentage of the time, now lets take a breath.... STAMINA nooooo, please Monzon thrived on long bouts, his late surges in the first Griffth and second Bouiter fights kept his title intact, cannot give ground on that , sorry. Above aside, great post.
No debating here, that is for the politicians, but I feel that Carlos Monzon wins this one over Bernard The Executioner Hopkins in a very classic match. Monzon had great confidence in the ring, was a tactician, studying his adversaries, looking for openings and weaknesses, while utilizing his long left jab. He would counter Hopkins misses while keeping the bout at ring center. He would take care of business in the ring, no verbal antics. He would fight every bit as the champion who went undefeated in his last 82 fights since Oct 9 1964. A fighter can only fight what is put in front of him, promoting fights is for the promoters not the fighters. Monzon by a unanimous decision. Monzon not the flashy type fighter always managed to get the job done at the end of the day. He retired after 14 successful title defenses, his last being a unanimous decision win over Rodrigo Valdes on July 30 1977 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
