Even though I felt he was a huge disappoint in the Michael Spinks fight, Qwai was a hell of a fighter ... so was Hopkins ... I have to lean to Qwai who had a much larger legacy at 175 but it would be one to see ... I just don't see Bernard having the firepower to keep Qwai off him ...
Qawi, and anybody that says Hopkins is crazy! Theres no way B-Hop is beating a prime Qawi with the low ass workrate he has at 175. Qawi by almost dominate decision.
i think hopkins has the one shot to keep qawi off him but just not the workrate (in his prime or otherwise). it's not his best wieght and we never saw him when he was younger at this wieght. not enough workrate to keep him off and neither the awkwardness of spinks nor the combinations to catch qawi. thats exactly what holy .did thew as many punches as possible. qawi couldnt get out of the way unless he was standing square on and ready to slip punches. hieght,reach,chin are no issue here against qawi.
IMO Qawi is too strong for Hopkins, and will get the nod for aggression and putting Hopkins on the ropes at times. I think Hopkins' much quicker footwork and timely clinching, gives Qawi fits... and Bernard's great defense makes Qawi miss (badly) with most of his punches for most of the duration of the fight. Qawi 7/5 in rounds.
In all honesty I physically shuddered when I read the thread title. After a good start by Hopkins I think Qawi would administer a pretty brutal beating and get a clear decision.
Hopkins presents a few problems and makes it difficult, but Qawi's strength, size, workrate, and non-stop aggression earn him a clear decision. I don't see Qawi landing enough clean shots to hurt Hopkins, but he'll outwork him and he'll be landing more.
...............Hopkins survives now (and has for several years) by dictating a slower pace and gradually exploiting small weaknesses. The key to it all though is his being allowed to maintain a snail's pace to a fight. Qawi simply wouldn't allow this, and would be in his chest from the first bell. Hopkins would most likely see the final bell, but would be soundly defeated.
Yep, Qawi takes it. The Hopkins at lhw just doesn´t have the workrate to compete with him and since we never saw a younger Hopkins there it´s a no-brainer.