In pre-Hagler form, Hamsho had a Hagler-like chin. I think he would walk through whatever Mugabe could dish out, and outbrawl him for the decision.
Given how hard Mugabi punched and how easy Hamsho was to hit, it's hard to pick Hamsho in this matchup. Yes, Hamsho had a great chin. But Mugabi was a monster, and his skills were pretty good. Of course, an old and ringworn Hagler made Mugabi look a lot better than he actually was. I think I'm talking myself out of my first impression....
Man, Hamsho's chin won't do him any good. He gets outbrawled for the decision, the only thing saving him from a knockout would be his chin. Mugabi before Hagler believed he was invincible, and it really helped his performance. After Hagler, I believe he was shot mentally. Interestingly enough, barring Duran and Leonard, these two lasted the longest against Hagler during his title reign, both getting knocked out in the eleventh.
I would tend to think Mugabi also, Hamsho had no punch to go along with his lack of defense, though he threw a good shoulder, and a few head butts at MH. Think a more interesting match may be Sibson v Hamsho ( I take Sibbo), or Vito v Hamsho (are they the same guy). I think Roldan kills Hamsho also in an ugly fight.
In what would be a non-championship fight, Mugabi wouldn't be as motivated to fight out of his skin the way he did with an aging Hagler. Remember, Mugabi nearly quit against Hardrock Green. Hamsho was all heart and would break Mugabi's on course to a close 10 round UD.
Agreed. Hamsho is also the more proven fighter with the better resume IMO (ie: Benitez, Czyz, Minter). Mugabi often seems to get rated more on what "couldda been" rather than actual achievements.
Hamsho all the way. He beat them all, speedsters, boxers, ex-world champions, punchers, multiple title champions, hot fighters on their way up. He made full gorwn men **** in their pants just at the sight of him. John would be no different. Hamsho would even stop that fool. Mugabi wouldnt last as long as Wilfred or Czyz because he didnt have the heart. Mugabi has the talent but never had even one big win. Go on and ask Marvin Hagler. Ask Duane Thomas. Ask Terry Norris. John Mugabi was not a winner.
I'd say Hamsho. Mugabi was a beast of a puncher against low-level opposition. A HW Valero with better fundementals if you will. Hamsho would win a decision, in a competitive fight where Hamsho is a step ahead all of the way.
I think Mugabi wins in an upset.Can't totally say why, but I feel he would find a way to win in a close fight, just barely taking Hamsho.
I remember Alan Minter catching Hamsho with a good shot and shaking him to his boots, but Alan stuck with his mobile boxing, and allowed Hamho's aggressive style to carry favour wit the judges, Mugabi, if he similarly stuns Hamsho would pounce on him like a Jungle cat, but John is not capable of Boxing a controlled fight like Minter, John is a predator, and if he fails to make an impression early, can be prone to mentally deflating and becoming demoralised, a prisioner of his own 100% ko record success, Hamsho on the other hand does not become demoralised he is used to grinding it out, and making up for lost ground over the second half, the stronger man mentally may well be hamsho, physically he may well be the stronger being the natural Middle, Mugabi coming up from Lt Middle would i think certainly notice the differance, i think it might just tip the balance Hamho' way, Sprinter Mugabi is dangerous Early but his bad cargo is perishable goods, if he doesnt deliver his payloads early Hamho's going to Jam his signal, Bend his Firing Pin, Cut his wires, and defuse him late,
I would give Hamsho a 80% chance of winning this one. He has the better resume. Mugabi's best chance would be to hurt Mustafa early and to take things to a natural conclusion from there. But Hamsho was very used to this type of situation. His great chin along with his mental and physical strength would be his greatest assets here. Someone here remarked that Hamsho did not have a big punch but threw a good shoulder and a few head butts too. I would like to agree to this comment from a slightly different angle. Hamsho overcame his lack of a big punch by learning how to use his body [without getting disqualified] in a boxing match to stymie his opponent. He did this to a master boxer like Wilfred Benitez and he would do this John Mugabi once the bout progresses beyond the first couple of rounds.
