How would PRIME B-Hop fare against Sugar Ray?

[Canelo Phresh]

Robinson had good power even at middle. Enough to make Hopkins respectful of it. Robinson was fast to but I think Bernards defense would carry him through to the end of 15 tough rounds. Bhop couldnt cry to the ref about bs in those days though he'd have to just be crafty against Robinson all night. No time for claimed low blows or guided rapid punches. He'd lose handily or shine and show us a side of himself hes never shown us before and win.

[BigStereotype]

He'll just talk about himself and remind you how feeble we all are compared to him. Two way discussions aren't his strong point.

That was sort of my point

[Anthony342]

what?! Did you watch a prime middleweight hopkins? He was a very good offensive fighter that came to fight. He had more of a "seek & destroy" type style of fighting. As he got older he became much more defensive and his output slowed down, but again a young hopkins was very much offensive. He came to fight man, no question about it.

Speaking of coming to fight, a lot of fans like his more recent fights, as he's come to fight even more with a more aggressive style, so he can be more marketable for future fights, if he chooses to have anymore of them.

[Anthony342]

He beat the living hell out of Felix Trinidad, for one. Antonio Tarver. Oscar de la Hoya (not 100% legit but still). Roy Jones... just yanking your chain on that one. He embarrassed Kelly Pavlik, which was no joke. And he took the middleweight title and put it in a sleeper hold for 7 years.

Well really 4, from the time he won the WBA Super and Ring middleweight title belts to become the lineal champion and 10, if you count from the time he first won the IBF title.

[them_apples]

I'd pick Hopkins to beat RR at MW.

Hopkins is number 2 or 3 At MW ATG in my book, RR was number 1 at WW.

At MW Robinsons advantages are slim, I think he loses a decision to Hopkins.

Robinson is giving up height and reach here, Hopkins is very defensively sound and ring savvy.

As other people stated, Robinson was beat at MW. I know boxing was different back then, 1 day weigh ins, fighters fought much more frequently etc. But taking these into account Hopkins didn't put much weight on at 160. Much like Hagler.

[FightScorer]

If you look at Ray's issue with pressure fighters, namely La Motta and Fullmer you can make a case that the application of pressured fighting could cause Robinson massive problems. I admit that Hopkins is not one to put up constant pressure and he is not one to simply walk you down. But a young Bernard at 160 does put up great bursts of effective aggressiveness which could very well hamper Robinson from time to time.

Hopkins is the bigger and stronger man, in some cases strength/size could very well be neutralized by speed and skills. But in this case you have to give Hopkins a significant edge because of his amazing abilities to use those factors to full advantage. Robinson will land his famous hooks, that is a certainty. What is also certain will be Bernard's granite chin, his recuperation powers and the counter cross/bore into chest.head,etc along with a variety of dirty in fighting which will surely follow after every Robinson assault.
Robinson is faster in terms of foot speed, but not faster to make that big of a difference. Hopkins is not a stationary target, he got great movement and rarely fights in straight line formations.


It really is a case of style makes fights. Jermain Taylor edged by (controversially) against an old B-hop in part to to his own conservative and non aggressive fighting instincts and nature. Against those types of fighters, Hopkins in summary just goes to sleep and only wake up for the latter rounds. Against an aggressive offensive fighter like Robinson, the full extend of Bernard's incredible efficiency,defensive counters, and overall ability to neutralize just these types of fighters will surface.




Hopkins will beat Ray. Hopkins is great.

[BigStereotype]

Ray had an issue with Jake LaMotta? He beat him 5/6 times, man.

[FightScorer]

Ray had an issue with Jake LaMotta? He beat him 5/6 times, man.

That doesn't mean he didn't have issues... Lewis beat Bruno. He had issues with Bruno. It's just that certain styles troubled certain fighters.

Who cares. It might be hard for you to understand dude, but boxing has progressed a LOT since Ray Robinson's days.. A LOT.

[BennyST]

Heres why............he doesn't come to fight! He plays a wait and see and tries to inject offense into the fight as he sees defiencies in the opponent. Tell who todays throws as many punches from as many angles with a high rate of landing as Robinson? Who has Hopkins ever fought that even comes close to resembling the attack that Sugar can offer? Watch some film of him and tell me who comes close.................................no one!
Hopkins was a good fighter who was a minimalists!! He took no chances and capitalized on his opponents short comings well why he's looking for that in Robinson he's gonna be getting wacked around the ring and getting hurt! Bernard is a good fighter NOT a great fighter and thats not to say a good fighter can't beat a great fighter on a given night but these fantacy fights are supposed to be at "their best" and at his best Hopkins gets beat up against a Sugar Ray Robinson's "BEST"!
Study form , learn how fighters go about their business! You'll see very few defensive minded first fighters are considered great! To be great you need to defeat some great fighters if their not avalible at the time you fight then you have to demonstrate skills are superior to your top ten!!
Hopkins is a wait and see, very cleaver but not a great fighter just a smart who is lucky he's in the era he boxed in. He is NOT successfull in all eras.
The way he wins will not work against Robinson, Robinson would make him fight and Bernard isn't a great fighter. Ray

Doesn't come to fight? Watch and learn old man. You are becoming stagnant in old age and close minded. Hopkins has an excellent chance of beating Ray Robinson at 160. I'd have him as favourite. He's 6'2" and really a natural LHW. Ray couldn't hurt him and Rays defensive liabilities would and smaller frame would be a real struggle against someone of Hopkins' size and skill.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WvbJ8kgLW7Q

[BigStereotype]

That doesn't mean he didn't have issues... Lewis beat Bruno. He had issues with Bruno. It's just that certain styles troubled certain fighters.

Who cares. It might be hard for you to understand dude, but boxing has progressed a LOT since Ray Robinson's days.. A LOT.

Please, then, enlighten me.