Hopkins vs. Duran

Hopkins via decision. He'd do what Hagler done, but better. Playing the game of "patience" was what Hopkins done very well, and moving through the gears as a fight progressed was also his speciality.

Hearns like height, and a sizeable reach advantage. Hopkins aint getting a mouse under his eye going into the late rounds either.

 

i really feel roberto could do it, hopkins lost to jermiane taylor so he is beatable, duran would have to come in supreme shape though

 

Duran wouldn't beat Hopkins. He wouldn't be able to outbox and outscore him, and he's got a slim chance of knocking him out, none.

Hopkins stands 6' 1", with a 75" reach. And he's got the ideal style to keep Duran on the outside, where he would keep him under control. Duran would probably look to get inside, and once he got there it would prove to be a big mistake. Hopkins was equally as good inside as on the outside.

Taylor and Duran are totally different styles.

 

If Hopkins won less that 11 rounds i'd be surprised.

 

hopknis aint that great thought he lost to taylor twice, duran gave hagler trouble without even being in the best shape, plus beat barkley at 37, dont forget that before the bodyshot even delayhoya was giving hopkins trouble

 

Hopkins lost two disputed decisions to Jackson, yes, his supposed heir at the time. Duran was whipped about 13 rounds to 2 by Benitez, axed in 2 by Hearns, Lost to Laing and Robbie Sims to boot. A far too cautious Hagler won comfortably, and your claim Duran wasn't in his best shape vs Hagler is plain and simply wrong. He was in fantastic shape.

 

Hopkins has Hearns' height and reach (near), and Hagler's strength.

I just can't see where Duran can be effective, certainly not on the outside. Hopkins' ability feint and counter with hooks, Duran would find that a nightmare. The long left jab, and straight right hand are other major problems. And going inside against Hopkins would prove ineffective. Duran wasn't comfortable dropping towards Hagler's chest, as thats where Hagler connected with his best shots and rattled him.

Duran's defense and ring generalship would make him competitive throughout most of the fight. But its just a bad match-up for him stylistically to pull out a win.

Hopkins would fight cautious during the early rounds, as always. He showed Trinidad and De La Hoya respect early. But thats to do with Hopkins mentality as fighter more than anything else. He never pressures early. That would be Duran's best opportunity to score and possibly outwork Hopkins.

 

Middleweights a big step too far vs great fighters for Duran, and rightfully so really. It's 25 pounds north of his best weight and he was never a big man. A Hearns had the height and reach to still beat a fine fighter at 175, but Roberto was a different speciman. No shame losing to the likes of Hopkins, probably a compliment he even gets a thread on the topic really.

 

Hopkins will get more recognition years down the line. He's looked upon as an ATG just now, but he might well rise on more peoples ATG lists as the years tick by.

Without question, the best and most accomplished middleweight since Hagler.

 

Hopkins in a wide unanimous decision

 

...Which shows how weak the division has been in the last 20 years then. Hopkins hasn't got a top 40 middleweight on his resume, so even though that statement is indisputable, it isn't a reflection of greatness. Tito Trinidad is the best middleweight he beat, at that weight, and he ranks absolutely nowhere all-time.

Anyway, the physically prime Hopkins would stop Duran in around 9, and the mentally prime Hopkins would win a horribly boring decision, losing about 4 rounds.

 

duran lost to benitez on purpose to get away from **** head king why do you thing he lost he next fight to laing but all of a sudden turned it around

 

Duran UD.

 

Robbi seems a bit high on mister Hopkins. :roll:

Hopkins could have been a fine light-heavyweight had he chosen that route. Duran is a lightweight. End of story. He would never beat him, no matter the two particular points in their careers.