Ray Leonard vs Bernard Hopkins

Leonard - BHOPs has problems with speed movement - see RJJ, Vanderpool, Taylor, Calzaghe

 

Hopkins.

 

Leonard is better P4P but Hopkins is a better middleweight. I'll take Hopkins via UD on this.

 

A better example than any of them would be DLH IMO

 

Given we have one fight of SRL at 160, and he faded badly after 6 or so rounds, you have to give Hopkins the edge here. He's not as gifted or dangerous as Hagler, but he is LOADS smarter, and would recognize that Leonard was there to be taken, and would come in and try.

He'd outpoint that version of Ray close over 12 by sweeping the back half of the fight, possibly scoring a knockdown.

Now, I believe that Ray without quite as much rust would hold his gas quite a few rounds longer. That Ray, admittedly a theory that we never saw in action, would outpoint BHop by being the exact thing Hopkins struggles with- An athletic mover with real quicksilver handspeed who isn't afraid to throw in bunches. His chin being grade A eliminates much of the possibility of the bigger man landing the single big whack to end it, and I don't see Ray going down without being worn out and beaten.

 

Draw?

 

Leonard had the sort of speed, movement, athletic ability & mobility that gave Hopkins nightmares as well as the ring smarts & technical boxing skills to play the chess game too.... there would be no style that B-Hop could switch to that Leonard could not adapt to & hold his own, there are plenty of things SRL could & would do in there that Hopkins would struggle with & drop rounds trying to figure out.

Leonard W12 Hopkins.

 

Leonard is a superior fighter to Oscar in every department, different level of fighter altogether.

 

If Bernard Hopkins fought the Sugar Ray Leonard from the Marvin Hagler fight, he would win a close 12 round decision, in my opinion. I believe that Leonard would win most of the early rounds with his superior hand and foot speed. Hopkins would be able to skillfully impose his size on Leonard and win the later rounds to ultimately win the 12 round contest. It would be one worth watching, especially for those who enjoy the boxing aspect of the sweet science. Both Ray and Bernard are classified as boxers, but are both known for mixing it up at times. It would be a great fight even though middleweight wasn't Ray's best weight.

 

I feel Leonard had the speed, skills, conditioning and guts to make this a very interesting bout ... he'd be a very live under dog.

 

Hopkins at middleweight.

 

We dont know how good the peak (81-82) Leonard was at middle weight. youve got to fancy hopkins

 

B-Hop all day every day, no way does Leonard win this, what a joke, this ai'nt an old slow trundling Hagler & you talk about SPEEEEEEEEED, Leonards SPEEEEED at middleweight bunch of fantasists:deal

Leonard could'nt cut it above 147/154 against a top draw opponant, even Kalule was rearranging his face & it if was'nt for that gift stoppage then leonard was in serious **** as he had slowed down & gassing out big time & thats why he never fought anyone after Kevin Howard parked him on his arse & he was still a young man & he could'nt flee the scene of the crime fast enough rather than risk as in def getting KO'd by Don Curry/Hearns/Hagler & leonard knew it & quit:deal.

Leonards speeeeeeed indeed Ice skating around the ring doing a poor impersonation of ALI won't win him **** all.

Hopkins by KO whenever he feels like it, NO CONTEST:deal

 

Hops beats Leonard's ass late after trailing early on the cards...... Hops is a slow starter who methodically gets going around the 5th round.....

MR.BILL