Jesus Christ what an unmitigated disaster this fight would be for Bud Crawford. It would be six rounds in and you would realise that despite it seeming close he's 4-2 down and bleeding from the mouth. Second half of the fight he would get violated.
Crawford's sample size at or above 160 is too small. One win over a guy like Canelo (who, let's be honest, is past his prime) isn't enough to favour him over legit middleweights. Now if Crawford were to beat in form versions of Janibek and Sheeraz, i would still favour Hopkins, but at that stage, you would at least have a sample size as to how Crawford does vs bigger men with longer reaches.
This. Hopkins would teach Crawford every "veteran tactic" in the book. Elbows, forearm strikes, hip punches while the ref is out of position, holds, headbutts etc.
I'm a big fan of Bud but BHOP would smother/suffocate him. Folks underestimate the physicality that BHOP had especially at 160 before he outgrew the division.
Hopkins sparred hundreds of rounds with John David Jackson and was known for his skill at defeating southpaws.
