Hypothetically Speaking: Hagler vs Hopkins

You got that right. I"ll go to my grave knowing he quit against Allen. The most overrated fighter. Hagler by KO in 10. Whole era of 12 round bums overated at middleweight during Hopkins time

 

All true. Plus he was effing 40 at that point. Ludicrous to say that he was in his prime.

And a lot is made out of the Mercado draw, completely forgetting that Hagler also had losses and a draw before he became champion.

Prime Hopkins could, just like Hagler, both box and brawl. Had a bit of everything. But Hagler had problems with smaller men that were skilled boxers (Duran and Leonard - and the fight with Duran was in Hagler's prime), so I wouldn't be overly surprised if Hopkins's size advantage leads him to a points victory. It should be said that he might find it a bit hard to make 160 with same day weigh-in, though.

 

He was probably at his best from the late 90's to the early 00's. By 2003-2004 he seemed to be slipping a bit. Against Taylor in 2005 it was clear he had lost a large chunk of his speed and stamina, but problems to make weight might have been a factor as well as age.

And I agree that Hopkins probably would try to be the counter puncher in this fight. Actually, Hagler had equal reach, but Hopkins had a height advantage at over three inches. He'd likely try to make that count.

 

Hagler by decision.

Hagler was just better than Hopkins.Bette jab, bette Inside fighter, better combination puncher.

 

I can see this..

 

Hopkins vs Hagler.

For me I can see 2 scenarios here,

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Hagler pays Hopkins no respect and thrashing him about up close, landing huge punches and playing dirty with him.
He fights like he has no fear, but not plodding, like the Sibson fight. He'd walk through Hopkins's rights and just for the KO from the start.

He'd also pepper him with that heavy ass jab and set up his combos, ultimately winning based on him out landing and powering Bernard.

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Here I see Hopkins exploiting Hagler's upward jab, with his own counter jab to set up his right. He'd be able to do this pretty consistently and as a southpaw he'd be walked onto Hopkins's right hand and clinched whenever he wasn't comfortable.
He'd have no chance of having Hagler hurt but he'd be able to keep Hagler's offence slowed down to a snails pace and somewhat nullifying Hagler's jab.

I see his spoiler tactics, clinches and counter rights taking enough rounds to nick a decision.


I can't see a KO for either guy here tho, Hopkins had a chin on par with Hagler imo, or at least good enough to take Hagler's punches. After all, he did take Tarver and Kovalev's punches, who both hit harder than Hagler imo.

For me Scenario 2 is more likely based on Hagler's trouble with Crafty boxers and the fact that Hopkins proved he could beat elite southpaws and take huge punching LHW's power.
If he was so easy to ragdoll, Tarver would've done it.

 

I can definitely see Hopkins pulling a quit job.

 

you do realize that Hopkins looks up to the 2 Philly fighters (Watts and Monroe) who won decisions against an up and coming Hagler. Those fights were contested in Philly and Hagler emphatically set the record straight with Boogaloo and Worm.

 

This is about the easiest match up yet.
Hagler beats Hopkins 7 days a week.
Better boxer..better jab..harder puncher..higher punch output..more versatile attack ect ect. It wont take Marvin long to figure out Hopkins which is paw then shoot the jab shift while throwing the rt followed by a weak chopping hook then grabbing and trying to get a cheap shot in. Break ..set..repeat. yea Marvin figures that out real quick. Hopkins then falls from a head butt he started and claims he hurt his back or his shoulder or whatever and says he cant continue.
Hagler kicks his azz plain and simple.
If Hop was a Philly MW in the 70's he would have been lucky to survive working with the likes of Briscoe..Watts ect.

 

And Hopkins fought Mercado in his home town, some 2000 metres above sea level, and beat him emphatically in the rematch. I don't think Hopkin's pre champion blemishes are anything worse than Hagler's, that's all.

 

I agree with the above, in the most part, but my main reason for liking this post^ is that I had to chuckle at the line alluding to 'Hopkins feigning injury'.

Hopkins' ability to convince onlookers that he is genuinely distressed and in pain is very overrated...