This sounds the most logical post. And as far Foster stopping Hopkins, you make good points but B-Hop has never been stopped, so it's hard to envision that.
Agreed. 1991ish Toney is underrated in h2h ability on this board. I'm sick of hearing the word "footwork" tossed out whenever Toney's h2h ability is discussed, although his competent but not stellar footwork was anywhere near as much of a disadvantage as a glass jaw. For anyone who says "Toney was a fat burger, Hopkins would dismantle him", please do yourself a favour and track down Toney v McCallum I at 160.
Yes sir. IMO, Toney peaked when he fought guys like McCallum & Barkley. He didn't seem to be too motivated after his win over Littles. I'd say he was mentally on his decline when he fought RJJ. Even in his comeback fight against Montiel, he just didn't look motivated.
Considering the fact that a prime Hopkins is a middleweight, that rules out Bob Foster, Qawi, and Calzaghe. Out of the remaining: I think SRL gets cornered and out-muscled against B-Hop at 160; Hagler's got a great chance, but I don't think he's fast or athletic enough; Hearns gets his chin tested a little too often in this bout (and doesn't get to test B-Hop's chin enough); JT puts on a great show and goes the distance, but I think his style at 160 will make B-Hop look good; finally, RJJ, who had just the right combination of tools to get the job done against B-Hop before at 160, would win similarly in B-Hop's prime.:good
hmmm you got fighters from WW to LHW here, what weight does your "prime" BHOP fight at? I would assume 160 or are you saying his prime lasted up to Tarver at LHW? I think RJJ beats him in a similar way to he did in their actaul encounter, though prime bhop makes it closer. He would still struggle a bit with the speed and athleticism of RJJ imo. Foster would beat him prob by KO, I know bhop is hard to hit but Foster only has to hit you once and it can change the whole fight. Leonard. Are you saying prime Leonard or the one who fought at 160? Prime I think he might just nick a decision if he fights smart a la Duran II, with his speed and elusiveness being the main factors but without ever really hurting hops. Rest I think Hops would edge, with hearns having the least chance. Calz is a funny one imo and I know it will split opinion the most. In my mind it would have to happen at 168 with Hops moving up to SMW instead of LHW after Taylor losses. Favour hops to take it in a closeish one, think Calz speed and athleticism would always have caused him a few probs but younger fitter hops figurs him out and wins 7-5 or 8-4 in rounds
At 160 Jones, Hagler, Monzon, and Ray Robinson beat him. At 168 - 175 lbs Calzaghe and Foster beat him. Hearns has a chance at 160 but I lean towards Hopkins. At 175 Qawi has a chance as well but its a toss up.