The first black Middleweight Champion vs the oldest champion of all times. Who takes it? (prime vs prime) :good.
No footage on Tiger Flowers, difficult to say. What we do know about him is that he was extremely difficult to beat if you couldn't knock him out.
I know about Flowers accomplishments, but not too much of his style. Am interested in seeing this discussion.
Yeah, Flowers was hell in a handbasket if you couldn't knock him out, but I think that his counter-rushing style might play into Hopkins' elite counter-punching sensibilitys (circa Trinidad) rather nicely. We saw how an outstanding rushing pressure-boxer struggled with the ancient Hopkins when a slightly past-prime Calzaghe got home by a point...if there's a style thing here it's Hopkins who holds the advantage IMO. On the other hand as GA says, there's no footage and Tiger's exploits over the distance are pause for thought to say the least. Gun to my head, i'd go for Hopkins over 12.
Then again the Calzaghe fight could also be used as proof that Hopkins would not have an easy night with the likes of Tiger Flowers, even if Hopkins's stamina was depleted at that stage. If you're looking to outpoint Hopkins, it won't be through pretty work but rather just awkwardly outworking him while preventing Hopkins from getting off those counter-punches.
Full flower Flowers 1924-ish was an amazing fighter who caught an oldish one eyed partyed out Harry Greb somewhat asleep at the switch while the cyclops champ was barnstorming out in Ohio. Greb and his Mgr were the biggest booster of Tigers greatness claiming hed give Dempsey a hellva tussle over the 10 rnd route.
I think the Tiger would have a little edge in very close fight, some say Walker lucky to get the duke over him!!
