Hopkins vs Monzon

More fighters are willing to move up when it's natural to do so. Some are 'challenge and money' driven, so they sacrafice stepping up more than down. It made most sense at middleweight when it happened. But in 1982 when Hagler was very much in his prime, physically and performance wise, perhaps 154lbs was probably the best shout and the fairest compromise. Leonard was a a natural welterweight and Hagler was a natural middleweight. 154lbs would have made sense.

 

Not really. The middleweight was always the biggest prize in the sport (after the heavyweight title), the 154 title didn't have much clout. And back then it meant a lot to have the title on the line, now it just seems a case of two 'names' fighting each other regardless of any diadem that's available.


Also, fighter losing weight is never as fair as a fighter putting it a bit on. Maybe a compromise at something like '157' would have been ideal but with the middleweight title on the line. Ok, Hopkins deserves plaudits for offering to drop down but it should never be expected.

 

Think with weigh in times moving down wasn't really an option for many fighters in the past.

 

Leonard had been retired for quite a few years and any come-back credibility that he might have had, he lost in the Howard fight. Hagler on the other hand, had made himself popular as established champion as "the man to beat" after his wins over Duran, Hearns, Mugabi, etc.

When you want to take the crown, you don't tell the king to come to your country. Hagler was king and Leonard had to travel to 160.

 

Point taken on board. Titles meant much more 20-25 years ago than they do now when it comes to prestige. Leonard never held a title at 154lbs when mild negotiations were taking place between the camps in 1982. The WBA jr middlewight he won off Kalule was vacated almost immediatley the year before.

 

Hopkins-Delahoya was also at 156lbs, not 160, Delahoya held him to his word while getting a shot at the MW crown

 

It was over the jr middleweight limit. De La Hoya 155lbs, and Hopkins 156lbs. It was for Hopkins' titles as well as De La Hoya's WBO crown. It was a middleweight title fight. The contract weight limit for the fight was 158lbs.

He maintained his power despite coming in at 156 pounds, his lightest at a weigh-in in 10 years and one pound heavier than De La Hoya. "I could have come in at 158," Hopkins said, referring to the contractually negotiated maximum weight, which De La Hoya wanted because of his history in lower divisions. "But I wanted to make a statement."

And what you quoted was when Hopkins was willing to fight him at 154lbs back in 1998.

And would do mean by 'also'?

 

If there's one thing you can far for Hopkins, he's a master analyst of boxing and boxers. I agree on him here: Hopkins has the tools to bother, frustrate and win rounds against Monzon, but in their salient strengths (strength and skill) I give enough of an edge to Monzon to squeeze by. One thing is for certain: it'd be a dull fight on the surface with fascinating strategy and action (where there was action) which fans of detailed boxing could enjoy.

 

B-Hop.

 

Prime for prime:


Monzon beats Hopkins
Monzon 50:50 fight against Hagler
Hagler beats Hopkins

... in my opinion

 

Hopkins does great against guys who come straight at him (Tito, Pavlik), but IMO he can be troubled by a good quality boxer/technician who doesn't fall into his "traps" and makes him lead, which is basically what happened in every fight he lost.

Monzon has shown he can look equally great against good quality fighters of all styles, be it classy, talented boxers (Benvenuti, Napoles) or pressure fighters (Rodrigo Valdez).

It's a tough fight to call, but I gave a slight edge to Monzon.

 

That's how I see it, although all of those picks are close ones.

 

:| << you :tong

 

I agree. It seems people are re-rating Hopkins at middleweight because of what he's done since, in reality he lost tothe best two 160lbers he met. :huh

 

Yes, I'd agree on virtually all of this.