could the 160lb version of sugar ray leonnard beat a prime Bernard Hopkins?

I dont think that is even possible..

But Im not going to disagree it isnt a stretch that SRL could win this.

 

Nope.

 

SRL at this stage would beat any version of hopkins more times than hopkins would beat him, quick awkward fighters we have seen that hopkins doesnt like, just look at his defeats to see this, and when you add the extra dimension that srl had then i think your question is answered

 

i don't think so

 

A big yes.

 

i agree i would never go as far as saying make him look amature, but he is way to versatile and athletic, he would have an answer for hopkins, and would catch him cleanly,

 

Look ammature? Are you kidding me??

Listen, I love SRL, he's my all time favorite fighter. But I don't think he could beat a prime Hopkins. Maybe, just maybe he could outpout him, but I seriously doubt it.

SRL barely beat a faded hagler (which was still an amazing accomplishment!!!) and honestly, a prime bhop was better then that version of hagler. Now hagler in his prime though is a different story and imo was the best middleweight of all time.

Also, you need to factor in that bhop is such a clever, defensive fighter. He's one of the best defensive fighters of all time. Hagler is not which allowed SRL to look so good with those fluries. Bhop wouldn't allow that ****.

 

hopkins would have trouble keeping sugar ray at bay, he would unload fast combinations and step out, hopkins would not have the firepower to shut leanord out and woul not be able to get close enough to roughhouse him either
that would be his only hope to close the gap and roughhouse sugar

 

Hagler was a BEAST but I don't think he was that terribly difficult to figure out. He was just a freak of a nature, unstoppable force from the majority of his career.

 

hagler always had great head movement, that is what he would use to slip get in range and unload his cannons but he did not have the ability hopkins has to avoid getting hit clean from a quick puncher

 

He could have, but I don't think he would have.

You just can't ever completely rule out someone as skilled as Leonard, but at 160 I think absolute peak Hopkins would just have been too big and too strong for SRL. Leonard's speed and skill would make it a competitive fight, but over the piece Hopkins would seal a close but clear points decision.

IMO.

 

THANK YOU! People forget this Over, and Over, and Over (especially here among the younger folk). He was a force of nature at the time, defined PFP#1.

 

I spent a lot of my youth incorrectly betting against SRL. The man proved me wrong ALMOST every time.

Leonard was one of the greatest fighters of all time. He was incredibly intelligent inside the ring and in the competitive battle of words in the build ups to his fights. He was lightening fast and could change his game plan on a dime. He hit hard, dodged punches brilliantly and took a hell of a punch. He fought and defeated a who's-who of ATGs. (Though I still say Hagler took that fight!)

SRL beats Hopkins at 160.