The thought came into my head on the General Forum. Personally I think Hopkins wins fairly comftorbly and stops Hearns late on. From what I gather, this isn't an opinion that alot of people share. Many gave Tommy a solid shot at winning. Michigan Warrior (No comment on my opinion about him) thinks Hearns wins easily. My reasoning is that Hearns was not the same fighter above 154lbs. He lost a great deal of his daunting physical advantages and was far more vulnerable as a result, I think Hopkins nulifies his offensive wepons and then starts to beat Hearns up, eventually cracking his chin. What do you think?
I think it matters how Hearns fights. If Hearns fights like he fought Virgil Hill and Wilfred Benitez he wins on points. If he fights like he fought Hagler he could lose. He has to box and use his jab and win rounds. Hopkins is great, but the guys he beat were not in Hearns class. It is up to Hearns how the fight would go.
Hopkins mauls Tommy on the inside to either a clear cut decision or late round stoppage. At 160+, I don't really hold Tommy in a great deal of esteem. Still an outstanding fighter, but not great. At least no great enough to beat Hopkins. Too strong, too durable, to skilled, too rough.
Hearns definitely hits hard enough to garner B-Hop's respect and it is also worth considering that Hearns would be the best pure boxer Hopkins has ran into...but the question is...Could Hearns fight a focused fight that would give him the best chance? Or would Hopkins get inside his head? If Hearns would go into the fight in boxing mode, Hopkins' problems are multiplied. Hearns is not only faster and more versatile than a Trinidad, he is much less predictable...Taylor showed somewhat (I don't believe Hopkins had the gas tank at that age and that weight when he fought Taylor) that Hopkins was troubled when he was forced to lead against someone of a similar stature...If forced to pick, I think Hopkins would force an inside fight in which he would win...if he stays outside he loses....with that said, Hopkins UD.
As cobra said, Hopkins mauls Hearns on the inside. He would control the distance and stay inside or outside of the range of Hearns right hand. Hopkins is the master of taking away his opponents best weapon. Hearns can box but Hopkins has more dimensions and can fight any way.
I think Hearns lack of defence(and possibly stamina) at this weight would eventually cost him.Hopkins isn't really at a size disadvantage and would be able to stay at range and still be in decent position to bring the right hand over that very low left and generally non-existant guard of Tommy's. IF Hopkins was more in the 5'8 to 5'11 range it would be tougher to fight his kind of fight without taking big risks to get in punching range, but he has the physical dimentions here to be on equal footing with Hearns from outside.
Depends on which version of Hearns is fighting. If he fights smart, keeping Hopkins at arm's length and using his hand speed, he can solidly earn a points decision and keep the offense of Hopkins from ever getting on track, similar to how Hearns handled Benitez. If he opens up to slug it out or if Hopkins forces his way inside, Hopkins would slaughter Hearns up close. And it wouldn't be pretty either. Considering the two are similar size and Hearns doesn't have as much as a height and reach advantage as he sometimes did, (and Hearns simply not being as good at 160 as at 154 and 147) I'd favor Hopkins slightly, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it went the other way.
I know Hearns is a legend. But I can't imagine any way that he could beat Hopkins. I think Bernard was too smart, and way to good on the inside for The Hitman to even stand a chance. Hearns could prob stay outside and shade a few rounds, But B-Hop would wear him down and stop him like he did Trinidad. Keep another thing in mind: Hearns tended to blow his load in fights, and Bernard is just the type of fighter who could lure him into a bad matchup. Hopkins KO11 over Hearns in a somewhat boring fight.
