Hopkins vs Martinez

Martinez is a little too much for ol' hopkins at this time.

 

I dont think Hopkins stops Sergio.

I think it does start easy for Sergio though like you said with Hopkins being the slow starter.

I'll be honest, I like that you thought of this, it should spark for a great debate.

Sergio has such an awkward style that I can see it giving Hopkins fits with his speed but Hopkins has such excellent timing and precision it would definitely throw Sergio into a fight he wouldn't want.

We saw Taylor give Hopkins fits and Taylor while the styles are completely different, is not as skilled as Sergio.

I think this one is a close fight. I'd go with Hopkins though.

 

Hopkins via ****, now or back then.

 

Hopkins beat down a talented De La Hoya and a talented Trinidad.... Sergio is talented but he ain't no Roy Jones.. he will lose to Hopkins but he might survive being KO'd... he is slick and not easy to be hit flush.. and he move well...

 

I see it being a 116 - 112 for B-Hop kind of fight, Martinez starts well but Hopkins chin stands up to anything that he can land (Nard rolls with punches 90% of the time) I think after 4 rounds his intelligence takes over and he starts to time Sergio, clinching to spoil but working solid bodyshots inside to slow Martinez down. Then like in most of his MW fights, that looping right hand comes in to play.

Martinez would have moments, his foot movement should allow him to create angles and openings, I just see Hopkins adapting to him well.

 

I think the prime version of Hopkins at middleweight (1999-2002) would have found a way to shut down Martinez over the 12-round distance (probably with a lot of holding and mugging whenever he got in close to the Argentine, but also by using the right counter punches), but I bet it would have been a competitive fight. I gotta go with B-Hop, though. His record against southpaws is amazing.

 

Hopkins, wide. Possible late stoppage.

 

Hopkins via KO

 

Hopkins UD

 

I can see Sergio's awkward style giving Hopkins some trouble early but he soon figures it out and starts to dominate to a wide UD or late KO. Also, Sergio is the naturally smaller man. I can see Hopkins doing a lot of work on the inside, beating Sergio up and also making Sergio pay for his recklessness coming in.

 

Hopkins, and it would look effortless. Martinez is just a guy who was lucky enough to catch a couple top guys at just the right time. He knows that. That's why he refuses to move up, and only wants to fight welterweights.

 

Hopkins via ****.

 

Hopkins.

 

Martinez is way too fast for Hopkins, it would be worst than when Hopkins was outclassed by Calzaghe!!!