Naseem Hamed v Morales instead of Barerra same kinda time

I think it would have been similar. Morales was equally tough and could box when he wanted to. I think both guys were too smart to let Hameds awkwardness throw them off, too tough to fall to his power, and would expose his technical deficiences.

 

Totally different but similar result. I do think Morales would press and engage a little bit more

 

Agreed.

 

Morales by decision. Hamed had really lost his passion for boxing at that point.

 

I do agree that Hamed had lost either focus or passion or both at this stage. I also think more highly of him than many, and think he would be a tough out for most. However I still don’t think a more focused version a year or 2 prior would be able to change the outcome against Marco or a hypothetical against Morales. Very good fighter, just falls short of great for me

 

Morales. He was tougher than Hamed and would have probably stopped him too.

 

The formbook is a big variable in this fight. At their best, I would pick Morales convincingly, maybe even trumping Barrera by forcing a stoppage.

2001 was a shaky year though for Morales. He was unconvincing against both Espadas and Chi, and for whatever reason didn't seem as physically imposing in those fights as he did at other points in his career. In the 12th round of both he was being pushed back and bullied against fighters a level below Hamed.

Hamed wasn't exactly at his most focused around that time, but he showed in his previous fights against Bungu and Sanchez that he still carried knockout power and was physically intimidating up close.

If the Morales who laboured against Espadas turns up against Hamed, it's a very dangerous fight for him. I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm convinced that in 2001 Hamed beats Morales, but it's a completely different fight from Barrera and tougher to call in my view.