BoxRec

In the first 'Then vs Now' segement I done, we had legendary heavyweight icon Rocky Marciano, all 187 pounds of him, who retired at 49-0 with 43 kayos, go up against current WBA champion Nicolay Valuev, all 328 pounds of him, who is 46-0. The computer predicted that Marciano would have been the more constant winner after 1,000 predictions and one of the simulations was posted showing Marciano managing to win by kayo in 4 rounds.

While that simulation is under scrutiny, I doubt that many fans would say that WBA champion Valuev, who boasts to shatter Marciano's 50yr withstanding record, could actually beat Marciano in a legit fight.

Today on THEN vs NOW, we are going to have one of the all-time modern greats in Bernard Hopkins, take on possibly the greatest fighter of all time: Sugar Ray Robinson!

But before that is done, I'd like to see the experts views on this potential match up. Mind you, Robinson failed to take the LHW title, and his longetivity isn't as great as Hopkins, whose success at being over 40 and gaining the LHW crown over a man who knocked out Roy Jones and even decisioned him (Antonio Tarver) is something quite extraordinary.

My predictions? Robinson was one of the greatest offensive fighters of all time, while Hopkins takes the cautious approach alot of times. Robinson beat the likes of LaMotta, Olsen, Basilio, Fullmer, has held the title at MW 5x's and was possibly the greatest WW of all time. Hopkins as a MW had over 20 title defenses, he's in the same class as Louis and Holmes when it comes to making the most defenses of any title.

Whatever arguments you wish to make that the new guys ain't as great as the old guys, while this may hold true in cases, no one can deny Hopkins success, especially winning the LHW crown in his 40's, a feat that can only be compared to Foreman damn near!

But...if I had to lean to any one man, its Ray Robinson, but in my honest opinion, Bernard Hopkins would stand his own and give Robinson one helluva fight, just as much as Olsen, Fullmer, Basilio and LaMotta had done.

Oh come on, no takers on this hypothetical fight?

Yeah, here goes - Ray Robinson (and especially when he first went to middleweight) would run rings around Bernard Hopkins. The gulf in class would be apparent immediately as Robinson was a level and a half, a better all round fighter than Hopkins. The only scenario I can see is a fairly easy 15 round decision to Ray Robinson

p.s. I also wouldn't put Hopkins' longevity in anywhere near the class of Robinson's. On paper yes, in reality, no

15 round decision to Robinson, by a wide margin too. Hopkins is the bigger, stronger man, but he has always had the most trouble against slick fighters with quick hands (Roy Jones and to a lesser extent, Jermain Taylor).

Now seems to be getting a little help these days & boxing being what it is, isn't all that concerned about it. I mean how many Archie Moore's can their be? I just heard Donovan Boucher is making a comeback on the Fan 590. He's 46. Boxing has never had much regulation. Barry Bonds would make a damn fine heavyweight, don't you think?

Great analysis by Decagon.

I see this as a clear points win for Robinson but with Hopkins having his moments. I just don't think Hopkins could get the kind of momentum going he would need.