Look at their records. Now, I'm not saying that Hagler isn't the greatest middleweight ever, or that B-Hop is overrated, but there are so many people (especially on this site), who slag on B-Hop all day because of his opposition, never changing weight classes, and who his biggest wins are against.
Who are Hagler's greatest wins against? Leonard, Hearns, and Duran, no? Duran started as a bantamweight, and is considered to be one of the, perhaps the greatest lightweight of all time. Leonard definitely wasn't a natural middleweight, having started at Jr. Welter. And Hearns was no natural middleweight, either, having started at welterweight.
B-Hops biggest wins come against Tito and De La Hoya, and Tito was favored to WIN against B-Hop when they fought each other.
Look at both of their records. Hagler fought a bunch of nobodies throughout a lot of his career, and NEVER moved from middleweight. B-Hop fought similarly, and never moved from middleweight. Why is it that B-Hop is not anywhere near the top 10, even though he fought the best in his division for his time, but Hagler is the greatest when he too fought the best in his division for his time. Both of them having their biggest wins come over naturally smaller men.
EDIT: Sorry if this is a bit sloppy, I'm in a rush out of here, but didn't want to leave this post unfinished.
and outside of the ring is about as near to useless as a human being can possibly be.
I disagree.
He might have been at one point in time....but as of now he represents a success story for troubled youth, and prisoners all across the country. Lets keep in mind yes...he was convicted of a miserable offense (strong arm robbery) which would define him as a complete thug.
He goes out of his way to educate prisoners and get them to see the light. You must give him credit for that.
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tito never moved back from 160?
My bad. Well, the same scenario either way. He lost to Hopkins, fought a tomato can, then a guy who had never fought at middle before or since (Mayorga), then got blown out again at MW by Wright.
In other words, Tito and DLH were at the wrong weight. BUT Hearns, Duran, and Leonard clearly had the ability to fight at MW, went on to win SMW titles, and also LHW titles.
Same point.
Not to mention all of the stuff out of the ring that makes Hopkins so easy to dislike... "Fuck the Cancer Society" "Fuck Peurto Rico" ...-Wearing the Executioner's mask into the ring in MSG right after 9-11 after being asked not to, and all the WAR headbands that went with it.
Hopkins just has a knack for being an annoying guy, and outside of the ring is about as near to useless as a human being can possibly be. I mean, there is so much to dislike about Hopkins, no matter what you think about him as a fighter.
haglar was the best, this b-hops guy wouldnt b champ if he was fighting in haglars era, and yeah most of his fights were against others originally from diffrent divisons, but they were the best out there...
Simple answer.
Duran, Hearns and Leonard all had success at middleweight, supermiddleweight, and beyond.
Tito had a couple wins at MW, and moved BACK down (ie. it was not the right weight) and DLH never had any success at MW and is back down.