How would Bernard Hopkins do against the following fighters at 160?

Neither of them "rip off Hopkins's head". Hopkins is not an easy guy to tag cleanly, and has a good chin as well.

Hearns might win, as his outside skills are hard for anyone to overcome, but G-Man loses to Hopkins.

 

I need to watch more of Tiger and Valdez to make an accurate assumption of them. I would pick Hopkins over the others, although Hearns might beat him and Nunn would give Hopkins problems as well.

Hopkins-McCallum is interesting. Mike was better @ 154 though.

 

Good thread.

Mike McCallum- I am of the mind that, while McCallum was still great at 160, he was at his best at 154, and that, while an excellent technical, versatile boxer, he's facing a naturally bigger, probably stronger one as well in Hopkins. I'd take Hopkins to win a close Decision in a fantastic fight, great technical affair.

Tommy Hearns- Forgive me if I underrate Hearns at 160 and above, due to durability reasons, but even though it's very possible he could outbox Hopkins, part of me thinks Hopkins would look to put the pressure on Hearns and wear him down late, or just rough him up enough to win the inside battle and win on points.

Gerald McClellan- Hopkins is too skilled technically for G-Man, despite the power. Decision win, wide.

Michael Nunn- I'll have to think about this one. It's very possible that this is the bad style matchup for B-Hop of the group.

Nino Benvenuti- Benvenuti was a good boxer, very good, but has some questionable decision wins over the course of his career due to biased judging in his favor, and while a skilled, tough overall boxer, he doesn't have the skills of a Hopkins. I see Hopkins clearly taking this.

Dick Tiger- Hopkins better be prepared to fight on the move, and I think he would, and has shown the ability to. I'd take him to outbox Tiger in a similar manner to how Griffith did.

Reggie Johnson- Good puncher, underrated fighter at his best, and it could be a rough fight for Hopkins at times, but again, I don't think Johnson poses any great stylistic advantages.

Rodrigo Valdez- This would be on the level of the last two bouts. A very good in-fighter and banger, but I wouldn't say he's versatile enough on the outside to box with Hopkins, and Hopkins was a master of gameplans.

 

Those are two he clearly beats in my opinion, Hearns having the better chance due to his far superior boxing skills(in comparison to G-Man). McClellan has little chance in this one the way I see it.

 

Mike McCallum: Hopkins UD

Tommy Hearns: Hopkins UD

Gerald McClellan: Hopkins UD

Michael Nunn: Nunn SD (honestly, I still have to think about this)

Nino Benvenuti: Hopkins UD

Dick Tiger: Hopkins UD

Reggie Johnson: Hopkins UD

Rodrigo Valdez: Hopkins UD

 

I think Hopkins could pile up more rounds than Hearns by making him fight in close. That's where he would have a big advantage. From long-range, Hearns bests him.

 

You don't have to neccessarily "outpoint" someone to win a Decision. If the fight is strictly on the outside, Hearns likely wins. I think Hopkins would put the pressure on him, taking him out of his game, and win the decision based on effective aggression. A much lesser skilled fighter in Barkley was able to do the same.

 

Good thread. As much as I like Tommy Hearns I think Hopkins would turn this into an ugly brawl, and pretty much take away Hearns' biggest advantages.

Boo

 

Hopkins close UD McCallum

Hopkins KO 8 Thomas Hearns

Hopkins wide UD McCllelan

Nunn close UD Hopkins

Hopkins wide UD Benevuti

Hopkins wide UD Tiger

Hopkins close UD Johnson

Hopkins wide UD Valdez

 

What does Johnson offer stylistically that Valdez doesn't?

 

Nunn's faster, more athletic and the superior slick boxer with better handspeed. He beats hopkins and i wouldnt have any doubts about it. I guess hopkins can get lucky and ko him if he gets sloppy, but other than that its nunn all the way.