Sergio Martinez (2010) vs Bernard Hopkins (2006) at 160

Martinez could have some very good moments, but like you, I say Hopkins wins it decisively too.

 

B-hop wins it, it might be ugly but he wins this one, too big and smart

 

:yep It might/probably be butt-assed ugly.

 

Very interesting fight because Martinez has crazy reach and can box on move very well. Tito, DLH, Taylor, Tarver, Wright, Pavlik - neither of these had great movement, Calzaghe did, but he often elected to stand his ground and flurry. Martinez has very nice footwork and a reach advantage over almost all opponents Hopkins faced in the past decade, and he know how to take advantage of it.

The veteran BHop is very economical which could bite him in the ass vs. a great mover who offers no stationary target and avoids inside fighting, only he didn't face many of these and that played into his hands. Calzaghe however brought good footwork and adaptability to the table, and about 3-4 rounds into the fight it became VERY hard for Hopkins to land. BHop-Martinez would a tactical battle between a cagey veteran who knows every trick but having trouble bringing the fight up close, still timing Martinez to score with single blows, and an excellent fast mover who'd have trouble landing the jab but would have more success with flurries. Martinez has both the stamina and the versatility not to let the old man figure him out and dominate late, so it'd go to the cards. IMO the late MW version of BHop had MAJOR weight problems and looked a rejuvenated fighter vs. Tarver at 175, so a 2005/6 version at 160 would fight to a split decision, outcome depending on what the judges prefer. The Tito version or the younger one vs. Johnson however would have easier time cutting down the ring therefore would win by comfortable decision or maybe by late TKO.

It's all just assumption, but we'll have plenty of answers regarding Hopkins' veteran style vs. a good mover on Dec 18, and if my theory of the style mismatch is correct, Pascal will win by comfortable decision.

 

B-Hop wins, and gets accused of picking on the smaller man.

 

Hard to imaging this fight. How is Hop going to close and clinch with a man that moves and keeps his hands down all the time??? If Martinez can avoid the cagey tactics of the veteran he is winning this one

 

Hopkins

 

Exactly

 

It's a shame that Pascal does not really have any of those things. Pascal has a very low work rate and clumsy footwork.
Good points other than that though.