Bernard hopkins vs marving hagler

Mugabe was a big puncher but Hopkins is better than Mugabe in every other department.

 

It would've been tactical I think, rather than a war. Hagler circling and boxing behind the jab, looking to open up with combinations. Hopkins looking to nullify Hagler's best weapon (the jab, although Hagler had a lot of weapons) land that straight right hand, which is vital against lefties.

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.

 

the ref in your avatar looks like he is thinking "good god son pull yourself together" :rofl

 

Hopkins by UD. He's the best middle-weight ever.

 

Based on resume, I would have to go with Hagler. He fought and beat the better competition by far. On the other hand, BHop is clearly the better technician and ring general. The problem for BHop is that when he was a little bit younger, he had better stamina, but didn't have his full mastery of following a gameplan. When he was a little older, he was the complete master boxer, but with not enough stamina or activity.

So, in the end I think Hagler beats a younger Hopkins by applying pressure and outlanding BHop with big shots. Hagler also beats the older, smarter Hopkins by purely outworking him. In either instance though, the fights are extremely close.