Tony Zale vs Bernard Hopkins

JC · Post by JC » 23 Aug 2006, 05:00

Apologies for another middleweight match-up but I would like opinions on who would win in a fight between these two tough and intelligent fighters. Over tweleve or fifteen rounds it's up to you.

http://www.rrauction.com/content/images ... 086824.jpg http://www.thesweetscience.com/images/2 ... 022205.jpg

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=9045

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=1414

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 23 Aug 2006, 06:22

A somewhat techy fight that would go 12 or 15 and unless Hopkins ran it too close to the edge (in terms of pacing himself) should come out on top.

I think Bernard easily has the tools but if he tried to run it too close the margins he might face the judges wrath. If Hopkins would lose, it would be my guess that he just misgauge what was needed to win in the judges eyes, since he often seems to want to do "just enough".

on the on the other hand Zale, if he knew his opponent going in, just might be able to compete with the grand master of chess so I woudn't rule him out as I did in my first knee-jerk comment which I have since recanted.
On his best day Zale might be able to use Hopkins "economy" against him.

I'd bet on Hopkins and I'd be somewhat understanding if I didn't collect. It could be a risky bet. Zale can forget bout KO'in this guy...aint gonna happen. And I don't think Zale is going to be visiting the canvas either.

My first thought was that this was a no brainer because Zale never impressed me the way Bernard has...then I thought about the Taylor fights and my brain wanted to be heard.....maybe I should have left this with my first impression. Is my nostalgia getting the better of me here?

ringsider · Post by **ringsider** » 24 Aug 2006, 01:51

What are you kidding me?.....The polish hammer(aka the man of steel) would KO Hopkins. Zale was a lot tougher man.

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 24 Aug 2006, 09:16

Decagon wrote:I'd have Hopkins a huge favorite, maybe even -300, to Zale's +335.

yeah I thought I might be having a "nostalgia moment".

JC · Post by JC » 24 Aug 2006, 10:16

BoxBuzz wrote:A somewhat techy fight that would go 12 or 15 and unless Hopkins ran it too close to the edge (in terms of pacing himself) should come out on top.

I think Bernard easily has the tools but if he tried to run it too close the margins he might face the judges wrath. If Hopkins would lose, it would be my guess that he just misgauge what was needed to win in the judges eyes, since he often seems to want to do "just enough".

on the on the other hand Zale, if he knew his opponent going in, just might be able to compete with the grand master of chess so I woudn't rule him out as I did in my first knee-jerk comment which I have since recanted.
On his best day Zale might be able to use Hopkins "economy" against him.

I'd bet on Hopkins and I'd be somewhat understanding if I didn't collect. It could be a risky bet. Zale can forget bout KO'in this guy...aint gonna happen. And I don't think Zale is going to be visiting the canvas either.

My first thought was that this was a no brainer because Zale never impressed me the way Bernard has...then I thought about the Taylor fights and my brain wanted to be heard.....maybe I should have left this with my first impression. Is my nostalgia getting the better of me here?

It's interesting Hopkins is a fighter who's rep seems to have fluctuated a lot on these boards in recent years. Post the De La Hoya win there were people picking him over both Hearns and Leonard and probably Monzon too but I can't remember specifically. Then after the two Taylor fights he took a lot of flak, and now since beating Tarver he seems to be the man again.

I think the Hopkins who fought Glencoff Johnson would have beaten Zale, when he still stood back and picked of his opponent but was also willing to go after him were required.

However Hopkins could not afford, as you say , to sit back and eek out a norrow points vicory and also would not have been able to wait for an opening as he did with DLH and Trinidad. Zale was too tough to KO with a single shot and too smart to walk into a trap.

I think Hopkins as favorite is a fair assessment but I might be tempted to have a small wager at Decagons odds.

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 24 Aug 2006, 10:58

Very tough matchup. I’d go for Hopkins by a relatively close UD15.

Grimm · Post by **Grimm** » 24 Aug 2006, 13:50

Hopkins UD 10 rounds to 5

Jaclem · Post by **Jaclem** » 25 Aug 2006, 01:43

....if i could figure out who boxbuzz thinks would win, i might agree with him. i THINK he's saying hopkins would have to fight at the top of his form....and fight every round. if that's what he's saying.....though he uses four times the number of words to say it.....and wobbles back and forth while doing so.....i agree.

zale was very tough.....his body attack made billy conn stick and run instead of mixing it up...as he had planned to do until he got that shot in the side...and this was after conn's great stand against joe louis. zale had trouble with movers....and hopkins was deceptive in his skill at this. he didn't stab and run...but could get in and out of range with short moves...not flashy....but effective.

so..whatever buzzy says i second...i think.