Joey Giardello v Bernard Hopkins 160lbs both in top shape,a given for B Hop, but not for Joey. Three fights, 15rds. Who gets the wins?
The interesting thing to me about this match up would be is how similar their styles were...the older version of Hopkins incorporates the little side step angles to avoid, then gain positioning for offense...Hopkins always mentions Walcott and Moore...but there is definitely some Giardello in his game. I think the fights would be close, but IMO Giardello's lack of power would hurt him against Hopkins, and Hopkins would adapt a style of fighting Joey like he did Roy Jones Jr in the rematch, and in the later stages of their first fight...Pushing the fight with a steady,mauling approach on the inside. Funny thing, if these two chose too...it could be a classic chess match in terms of pure boxing...but I lean towards it turning into a mauling session similar to Giardello/Mims. In a trilogy, I think Hopkins takes two.
Hopkins gets a lot of grief for his weak opposition at middle weight and while it may be rightful, I still wouldn't pick too many middles to beat him.. Roy Jones defeated him on the sort of superior athleticism that I don't think any other prime fighter had in that weight class. Bernard's conditioning, defense, ring smarts and power at 160 is something that would have been a nightmare for even the greatest middleweights. Christ, the fact that he is nearly 50, fighting at lightheavyweight and about to take on a monster should basically tell us everything.
