From the 70's to the present day, name me the five major threats...

Besides Monzon, there was no one. Certainly not Hopkins.

 

The Worm has a fair amount of evidence to disagree...

Even Watts has evidence to suggest although their first fight was close, he deserved the nod.

Antuofermo gave Hagler hell, and as the defending champ deserved the benefit of any doubt. Have not seen even a report, but Seales got a draw too.

Peak Nunn could of given Hagler hell.

Hopkins, John David Jackson, McCallum, Valdez and Toney would of been fierce tests for the Marvelous One too.

 

John David Jackson?? Which fights of his would suggest to you that he'd be a fierce test for Hagler?

 

Jackson was a very good to excellent cutie, they gave Hagler problems. Watch the first eight rounds of the first Jackson/Castro fight; watch the classy way he dealt with Pyatt and I have not seen it, but his victory over Reggie Johnson is eye catching.

I think Hagler wins, but not without issues early, particularly as Marvin could be a slow starter.

 

Hell no. The Hagler that ko'ed Hearns...aka peak hagler would have been too intense for Jones IMO.

 

Take you pick

LEONARD - did it
Roy Jones - could probably do it with 1 hand, a class above of Hagler
Kalambay
Hopkins
McCallum
Toney
Monzon
Nunn

I'm not saying they all do, but Leonard did and a few of those would

 

I think Hagler is a couple levels above Castro and Pyatt (and I'm sure you do too). I'll check out Jackson-Reggie Johnson with an open mind.

As PP mentioned, Kalambay jumps out at me. I could see Nunn causing problems also. Trouble with Nunn is, at some point it's going to turn into a fight. I'd be concerned about Hagler's physicality against Nunn.

Roy Jones causes anyone problems and Hopkins can make anyone look bad, although I don't think he has enough offense to outpoint Marv.

 

I'll list fighter who could give him a competitive fight

My top 5
Carlos Monzon
Sugar Ray Leonard
Roy Jones Jr
Bernard Hopkins
Mike McCallum


Toney would have given him a good fight, but he's not busy enough to win on points and none of them would get KOed because of their iron jaws.

 

90s Hopkins output is actually pretty high, higher than Hagler

 

RJJ would be too much for anyone at MW.

 

Well, it certainly is higher than more recent Hopkins. I'd be interested to see some punch stat numbers on 90's Hopkins. Could be you're right. I just think in his prime Marv could be very effective and efficient with his punches. Bottom line I think he was a superior offensive fighter and I'd certainly give Hopkins the edge defensively. I think Hopkins would have to get in Marv's head a bit like Duran and Leonard. Certainly a possibillity. I'll take Hagler though.

 

As you say,Leonard DID do it -

Monzon - 50/50
Jones
Kalambay
Hopkins
McCallum
Toney
Nunn

Each one would give Marvin a great fight but would ultimately fall short.

 

Roy Jones Junior although I have my doubts only because I still scored the Leonard fight to Hagler by 1 round and that after he literally gave away the first 4 rounds of that fight so potentially I think if he'd have not employed ridiculous thinking those first 4 rounds then could probably have seen the decision been more clear cut - but Jones Jnr still was one of the greatest fighters I've ever seen - particularly against Vinny Paz - certainly I think Hagler pushes every middleweight in history to the absolute wire and I don't see anyone doing enough to stop him but Jones for me has that undefinable quality that enables him to be capable of things that you wouldn't even think he could do - for all his greatness and toughness I couldn't see Hagler beating (and making a fool of) a 16 stone plus heavyweight