prime marvin hagler Vs prime Bernard Hopkins

I see Hagler winning this one with Hopkins being competitive. Hagler had one of the greatest upper body strength I have ever seen for a man his size & he had that iron chin. Hagler would shake off Hopkins' straight right hands like they were nothing. Even though Hopkins is a great inside fighter and outside Hagler would go toe-to-toe with him and throw/land the harder shots. Intimidation wouldn't be a factor because NO ONE and I mean NO ONE can intimidate "Marvelous" Marvin. He would make this fight a phone-booth and when Hopkins would start dancing & running away he would impose his will, conditioing and better reach and earn a late KO or UD. This man just said it. Add the southpaw stance which Hagler would incorporate and you would have a clear cut win for Hagler.

In my mind there is not much to debate. Hagler is one of my favorites all-time and I fully understand that he's the greater fighter than Hopkins...he's the greatest MW ever in my opinion. However, he'd never walk through Hopkins and it's an assinine assertion to make in the first place. Like I've said millions of times, Hopkins would be VERY competitive with any middleweight throughout history, end of story. I completely agree and this is why I think this fight is too close to call. Some days I think Hagler, some days Hopkins. Back in the day, Hagler was my favorite fighter - but let's be clear here, he was not perfect. His handspeed was good, not great. He had good power, but not great power. And even though he had huge heart and excellent technique, you could hit him (easier than Hopkins, IMO), and Antuofermo showed you could out-dirty him too (something that Hopkins is/was a master at). Despite Hagler's strength and toughness advantages, Hopkins would have some advantages of his own. I'd call it a toss-up.

Champ, comparing Hopkins to Hagler is like comparing apples to oranges. I'll debate with you on this later. I haven't the time for this. Nighty night. In my mind there is not much to debate. Hagler is one of my favorites all-time and I fully understand that he's the greater fighter than Hopkins...he's the greatest MW ever in my opinion. However, he'd never walk through Hopkins and it's an assinine assertion to make in the first place. Like I've said millions of times, Hopkins would be VERY competitive with any middleweight throughout history, end of story.

Champ, comparing Hopkins to Hagler is like comparing apples to oranges. I'll debate with you on this later. I haven't the time for this. Nighty night. For evidence of Hopkins beard watch Hopkins/Echols II, round 8 with about 1:20 to go. Remember, this is AFTER echols dropped Hopkins on his butt, dislocating his shoulder... Echols hits Hopkins with a sickening half hook/half uppercut counter right hand that ROCKS Hopkins head way back as a result. Now Echols wasn't a 1-punch KO artist like Julian Jackson or anything, but the man was a pretty heavy overall puncher at 160 and 168, as his power was always rated at the higher end of the spectrum in those divisions (this is what he was known for). Hopkins ATE that big shot for lunch and IMMEDIATELY elected to trade and fire big shots back at Echols, rocking Echols with a succession of right hands and one big uppercut of his own in return. I'd say that moment was a good indicator of Hopkins chin if nothing else. The man is as tough as they come, and really only suffered the notable knockdowns at the hands of Mercado before his best years rolled around. He knows every trick in the book and relied on smarts/angles later in his career to get him wins, whereas Hagler relied on his granite chin and sheer will to get him wins. Scap, you must know at this point that different fighters deal with their older age in different ways (Hopkins style being the most notable reason that he didn't go balls out with Taylor when he rocked him). I mean give the guy a break, he's 40 effin years old. All of this being said, yes Hagler had a better chin than Hopkins, but this is because Hagler probably had the best chin the sport has ever seen. Marvin is one of my 3 favorite fighters as a result of his technical brilliance and unparalleled toughness, but he would NEVER walk through Bernard Hopkins. The fight would be an entertaining chessmatch, with both guys exchanging nice punches. As the later rounds wore on we'd see Haglers endurance, jab, and will start to win him more and more rounds and he'd take a competitive but clear decision over Hopkins. Much like SLW said, 9-6 or something to that effect. You folks that think anyone would walk through Nard are out of your element. I believe figure skating might be more your pace. (not referring to you here scap)

One could make the arguemnt that if Bernard Hopkins had such an iron chin why oh why is he so damn reluctant to get hit? The guy was in 2 razor thin fights in a row and never stepped on the pedal to go all out for the victory...if he had an iron chin why not? He had a dead man in front of him in the first fight with Taylor and he claims he could have KO'd him 5 seperate times...well if he had this iron chin that he is given credit for why not take a shot or 2 to land the finishing blow? One could argue that his reluctance to engage inside the ropes is a tell that maybe his chin is not quite as good as advertised. I think he has a good chin dont get me wrong but dont comapre his chin to Marvin Hagler's. Had Bernard Hopkins engaged in an all out slugfest with Tommy Hearns in the manner that Hagler did I seriously doubt Hopkins would have been the one with his hand raised. For evidence of Hopkins beard watch Hopkins/Echols II, round 8 with about 1:20 to go. Remember, this is AFTER echols dropped Hopkins on his butt, dislocating his shoulder... Echols hits Hopkins with a sickening half hook/half uppercut counter right hand that ROCKS Hopkins head way back as a result. Now Echols wasn't a 1-punch KO artist like Julian Jackson or anything, but the man was a pretty heavy overall puncher at 160 and 168, as his power was always rated at the higher end of the spectrum in those divisions (this is what he was known for). Hopkins ATE that big shot for lunch and IMMEDIATELY elected to trade and fire big shots back at Echols, rocking Echols with a succession of right hands and one big uppercut of his own in return. I'd say that moment was a good indicator of Hopkins chin if nothing else. The man is as tough as they come, and really only suffered the notable knockdowns at the hands of Mercado before his best years rolled around. He knows every trick in the book and relied on smarts/angles later in his career to get him wins, whereas Hagler relied on his granite chin and sheer will to get him wins. Scap, you must know at this point that different fighters deal with their older age in different ways (Hopkins style being the most notable reason that he didn't go balls out with Taylor when he rocked him). I mean give the guy a break, he's 40 effin years old. All of this being said, yes Hagler had a better chin than Hopkins, but this is because Hagler probably had the best chin the sport has ever seen. Marvin is one of my 3 favorite fighters as a result of his technical brilliance and unparalleled toughness, but he would NEVER walk through Bernard Hopkins. The fight would be an entertaining chessmatch, with both guys exchanging nice punches. As the later rounds wore on we'd see Haglers endurance, jab, and will start to win him more and more rounds and he'd take a competitive but clear decision over Hopkins. Much like SLW said, 9-6 or something to that effect. You folks that think anyone would walk through Nard are out of your element. I believe figure skating might be more your pace. (not referring to you here scap)

one of the first things that entered my mind having after the conclusion of hopkins/taylor 2 was this... "wow, hopkins clearly can be knocked out but hes going to retire without ever having been" marvin hagler would walk through bernard hopkins in a one sided fight. TKO10

One could make the arguemnt that if Bernard Hopkins had such an iron chin why oh why is he so damn reluctant to get hit? The guy was in 2 razor thin fights in a row and never stepped on the pedal to go all out for the victory...if he had an iron chin why not? He had a dead man in front of him in the first fight with Taylor and he claims he could have KO'd him 5 seperate times...well if he had this iron chin that he is given credit for why not take a shot or 2 to land the finishing blow? One could argue that his reluctance to engage inside the ropes is a tell that maybe his chin is not quite as good as advertised. I think he has a good chin dont get me wrong but dont comapre his chin to Marvin Hagler's. Had Bernard Hopkins engaged in an all out slugfest with Tommy Hearns in the manner that Hagler did I seriously doubt Hopkins would have been the one with his hand raised. Great points.

Its amazing how great Haglers movemnt was earlier in his career. When he was more of a pure boxer. I think SRR has a little too much for him. He could throw so many different effective shots. But they both had such a good punch and great chins, it would be great if Hagler pressured him. I classic war.

I disagree, but what do u think of hagler vs srr? Robinson was a very fast, slick fighter who was almost perfect BUT I think Hagler would come close but eventually lose a 15 round split decision. Robinson would box in spurts, outboxing Hagler, but he'd spend time against the ropes too, trying to stave off Hagler's bodyshots. He'd sometime sooner or later drop to the canvas because of Hagler's devestating punching power. This and the fact that Hagler was a southpaw would create problems for Robinson but He would ultimately lose.

Monzon beats Hagler 2 times out of 3. Hagler was one of the best middleweights of all time. He is ASSURED a place in the top 3 IMO. I would believe Hagler to knock Hopkins out somewhere down the stretch of the fight. This coming from a HUGE Hagler fan though... I disagree, but what do u think of hagler vs srr?

hmm you do kind of have a good point there. I was hoping that taylor would test his chin but he never really hit bernard with very flush clean shots. One could make the arguemnt that if Bernard Hopkins had such an iron chin why oh why is he so damn reluctant to get hit? The guy was in 2 razor thin fights in a row and never stepped on the pedal to go all out for the victory...if he had an iron chin why not? He had a dead man in front of him in the first fight with Taylor and he claims he could have KO'd him 5 seperate times...well if he had this iron chin that he is given credit for why not take a shot or 2 to land the finishing blow? One could argue that his reluctance to engage inside the ropes is a tell that maybe his chin is not quite as good as advertised. I think he has a good chin dont get me wrong but dont comapre his chin to Marvin Hagler's. Had Bernard Hopkins engaged in an all out slugfest with Tommy Hearns in the manner that Hagler did I seriously doubt Hopkins would have been the one with his hand raised.

hagler by UD.

Hagler has an iron chin and we have seen it on display in actual fights...when have we seen this so called iron chin of Bernard Hopkins on display? Ive never seen it, not saying he has a bad chin but over the last 10 years when have we seen Hopkins get hit nice and hard? I think it is not wise to predict an early KO of Nard b ut a KO in the mid to late rounds is certainly not thoughtless. hmm you do kind of have a good point there. I was hoping that taylor would test his chin but he never really hit bernard with very flush clean shots.

vs Hagler, Hops loses a close UD, 9-7-1 for Hagler in 15 rds Picking a KO in a fight where both men are tough as nails and have iron chins is pretty thoughtless. Hagler has an iron chin and we have seen it on display in actual fights...when have we seen this so called iron chin of Bernard Hopkins on display? Ive never seen it, not saying he has a bad chin but over the last 10 years when have we seen Hopkins get hit nice and hard? I think it is not wise to predict an early KO of Nard b ut a KO in the mid to late rounds is certainly not thougtless.

hmm vs Hagler, Hops loses a close UD, 9-7-1 for Hagler in 15 rds Picking a KO in a fight where both men are tough as nails and have iron chins is pretty thoughtless.

Hagler in about six or seven rounds.Bernard a great one, but Hagler is another level.

Hagler could put him out in 2 rounds, maybe 3. i doubt that he would have knocked hopkins out in 2 or 3 rounds!

Hagler by knockout, his relentless pressure would wear Hopkins down.

Monzon beats Hagler 2 times out of 3. Hagler was one of the best middleweights of all time. He is ASSURED a place in the top 3 IMO. I would believe Hagler to knock Hopkins out somewhere down the stretch of the fight. This coming from a HUGE Hagler fan though...

Hagler could put him out in 2 rounds, maybe 3.