Could Hopkins have outworked Hagler

thunderfromdownunder · Post by **thunderfromdownunder** » 28 Mar 2007, 20:05

....or would haglers workrate and stamina overcome hopkins skill. both fighters had terrific stamina. in fact i dont ever recall seeing hopkins gassed at the end of any fights i watched of his. i think he could have done quite well in 15 rounders, if Taylor I was 15 rounds, hopkins would have KO'ed him. however i think hagler was the complete pakage as far as offence goes, and he would had to much for hopkins to handle.
i say hagler wins this one 116-112

iceman21287 · Post by **iceman21287** » 28 Mar 2007, 22:29

Hopkins would make Hagler look pretty bad, but Hagler would win on points 115-113 or 116-112. Hagler may even be able to catch Hopkins for a flash knockdown, but no knockout.

The one thing I'll add is that Hopkins is a bigger man than Hagler. I could potentially see Hopkins using his size to keep Hagler at bay for the first half of the fight, racking up rounds and winning a close decision at the end. Hagler is a notoriously slow starter, slower than Hopkins. Either way the decision would be 2-4 points either direction.

evndrbsn · Post by **evndrbsn** » 28 Mar 2007, 23:08

Hopkins is a bad style matchup for Hagler. The same could be said with Hagler for Hopkins. Honestly, I think Hagler might be a little overrated these days, if only by a little bit and Hopkins might be inching towards that rating also. Still, Hopkins defensive genius is often understated. Slick and rangy fighters would always give Hopkins problems as they did Hagler, but the physical size advantage and defensive skillset that Bernard was enamored with mostly likely leans this matchup in favor of B-Hop.

Hopkins 7 rounds to 5 in a boring affair.

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 28 Mar 2007, 23:19

Which Hopkins? Old Hopkins, or young(er) Hopkins?

I lean towards Hopkins either way... But the type of fight would be drastically different.

barry · Post by **barry** » 29 Mar 2007, 03:38

It's very doubtful as Hopkins simply has never thrown enough punches in each round of any fight that I have seen, or can remember to out work someone like Hagler!

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:23

No, Hagler would outwork Hopkins if anything. No knockdowns either way, Hagler to win unanimous decision by 2 or 3 rounds.

Your mental superior · Post by **Your mental superior** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:29

Very funny thread. Hopkins is the biggest sloth in the history of boxing. He fights like they deduct 1000 dollars for every punch he throws. Actually, it depends on the Hopkins. When he was younger he had a decent activity rate. Amazingly, his foul rate was always exactly double his punch output per round. I sent this little puzzle to the University. Maybe, a new scientific theory will arise.

bollox · Post by **bollox** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:36

I reckon Hagler beats Hopkins easily. Hopkins number of defences etc don't mean much yet they seem to be lifting him in historical standing. Hagler's pre title winning career is littered with better opposition than Hopkins' titlefights

I also seem to recall Roy Jones easily beating Hopkins (and no, Hopkins wasn't green at the time)

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:38

Have to agree with Barry, Devious and Psycho in that Hopkins' economy would not see him out hustle Hagler. Even in his peak years Hopkins was steady.

I'd say that the styles favour Hopkins in some respects as Hagler did have problems when forced to lead. I can imagine Hopkins being able to do this BUT Hagler would up his work-rate and outhustle Hopkins to a close decision.

barry · Post by **barry** » 29 Mar 2007, 17:46

>>>I also seem to recall Roy Jones easily beating Hopkins (and no, Hopkins wasn't green at the time)<<<

Isn't that the truth. It's funny how people like to say that Hopkins was a "green," or "raw" fighter when he faced Jones, but the FACT of the issue is this...Hopkins had been boxing for 20+ years when he faced Jones. He had been winning amateur titles since he was nine, or ten years old and he was 29 when he fought Jones...29 years old...20+ years of experience in boxing...if that is green then I would love to know what experienced means!!!!

ringsider · Post by **ringsider** » 30 Mar 2007, 02:34

Well this comes begrudgingly, but I can not see Hopkins beating Hagler. Hopkins never throws enough punches to keep Hagler off him. Hopkins can not box like Ray Leonard or Roberto Duran. I have to give this one to a plodding Hagler. Hagler may even catch him and KO him.

Glassjaw · Post by **Glassjaw** » 01 Apr 2007, 12:07

Would have loved to see it, as Hagler would have busted Hopkins up. Bhop would not have had the punching power to keep Hagler off him. Better question is could Hopkins have handled Sugar Ray Leonard? I don't think so. Ray's killer instinct is often forgotten. Saw the Jones-Hopkins fight live in RFK, Jones breezed through that fight.

generic screen name · Post by **generic screen name** » 02 Apr 2007, 00:14

ringsider wrote:Well this comes begrudgingly, but I can not see Hopkins beating Hagler. Hopkins never throws enough punches to keep Hagler off him. Hopkins can not box like Ray Leonard or Roberto Duran. I have to give this one to a plodding Hagler. Hagler may even catch him and KO him.

Omigod, ringsider actually gives a southpaw somewhat credit.

thunderfromdownunder · Post by **thunderfromdownunder** » 02 Apr 2007, 01:14

outwork is a bad word to use on my part here. how about "could hopkins have outfoxed, or outwitted hagler" could he have made him look bad?

ringsider · Post by **ringsider** » 02 Apr 2007, 03:09

outwork is a bad word to use on my part here. how about "could hopkins have outfoxed, or outwitted hagler" could he have made him look bad?

NO!