Could Bernard Hopkins beat Marvin Hagler?

[El Dominicano]

Do you guys think the ring generalship of Hopkins could get him past the hard punching Hagler in a 12 rounder?

Yes he is more then capable of doing that

[Tuggers1986]

easily imo.i don't think people quite understand what kinda monster hopkins is.he's to big for marvin, to crafty, and just as tough as marvin was.

Bad post!!

[AntonTheMeh]

I guess that's why everyone thinks Rocky Marciano would beat Lennox Lewis.

Isn't Hopkins a legend himself?







Hagler could do it all.

well those, "everyones" think wrong.

[JAB5239]

This subject always comes up, and I'm too lazy to right out a new analysis, so I'll copy what I've been saying.

As I've always said, this is a very close fight between two great, versatile fighters.

Both guys are complete fighters. Hagler was a terrific boxer-puncher with a great jab, good combos, heavy hands, good set of legs, terrific chin, nice parrying skills and head movement, and he could slug it out as well and fight on the inside.

Hopkins is a master of controlling the pace and picking his spots. He knows the angles and knows where to position himself to land good shots and avoid the incoming. Like Hagler, he is versatile. He can box from the outside using the ring, or maul guys up close and "stink it out". He has a big of dirty tricks to frustrate opponents. As proven throughout his career, he is very effective against lefties.

Hagler had the heavier hands, superior jab, and was more proven in the slugging/pressure department. Hopkins was a little quicker and slicker, and just has a brilliant fighting brain in there.

No matter how the fight takes place, I see it being very close. I doubt either guy gets stopped. Hopkins is slick and has a sound chin. Hagler's chin was great, and he didn't exactly have a soft body either.

Over the years, Hagler was developed a reputation as a face-first brawler from people who don't watch enough of his fights, but he usually boxed behind his jab and broke guys down over the course of the fight. It'll probably be a pretty tactical fight, and I see Hopkins winning a close decision, with his straight right hand being the key.

As for their all-time rankings. Hagler with the slight edge at middleweight. He beat better opposition, fighting lots of good middleweights on the road to the title. I also thought he definitely won the first Watts fight and scored the Leonard bout even.

I can see Hopkins being ranked a little higher overall though. Not only was Hopkins a long-time middleweight champ, but also dominated the Ring champ at 175 in Antonio Tarver. At age 43, he fought very close with Joe Calzaghe and dominated the undefeated Kelly Pavlik.

Good post.

[TheGreatA]

well those, "everyones" think wrong.

I wasn't serious.

Just about everyone knows that Marciano would lose to Lewis, atleast from what I saw in the Lewis vs Marciano thread.

Old fighters might be overrated by some but they can be as underrated by others who believe modern fighters are superior in every way.

There is no way Hopkins would have an easy fight against Hagler.

[Ryn0]

Ofcourse not

[AntonTheMeh]

I wasn't serious.

Just about everyone knows that Marciano would lose to Lewis, atleast from what I saw in the Lewis vs Marciano thread.

Old fighters might be overrated by some but they can be as underrated by others who believe modern fighters are superior in every way.

There is no way Hopkins would have an easy fight against Hagler.

i think i all ready stressed that i crossed the line with the easy part.

[them_apples]

Styles make fights, Hopkins will be leaning on Hagler the entire night, brawling on the inside and outside. Hagler is an excellent inside brawler but not when Hopkins is grabbing your arms and leaning on you.

Hagler is equally as great as Hopkins if not more, but I see Hopkins winning this scenario..and not just because he beat Pavlik.

[them_apples]

I wasn't serious.

Just about everyone knows that Marciano would lose to Lewis, atleast from what I saw in the Lewis vs Marciano thread.

Old fighters might be overrated by some but they can be as underrated by others who believe modern fighters are superior in every way.

There is no way Hopkins would have an easy fight against Hagler.

The Manchine I hope you aren't secretly referring to me every time you mention stuff like "Old fighters might be overrated by some but they can be as underrated by others who believe modern fighters are superior in every way" I say stuff like that in scenarios like Lewis vs Marciano. It's not like i'm completely brain dead, from viewing tapes you can pretty much tell that Marciano has no chance in hell because he's slower, smaller and can't box as well.

I don't think every new fighter is better than every old fighter.

don't get pissed at me for picking Hopkins over Hagler ether, I think Hagler beats a lot of guys Hopkins lost to that's for sure.

[TheGreatA]

The Manchine I hope you aren't secretly referring to me every time you mention stuff like "Old fighters might be overrated by some but they can be as underrated by others who believe modern fighters are superior in every way" I say stuff like that in scenarios like Lewis vs Marciano. It's not like i'm completely brain dead, from viewing tapes you can pretty much tell that Marciano has no chance in hell because he's slower, smaller and can't box as well.

I don't think every new fighter is better than every old fighter.

don't get pissed at me for picking Hopkins over Hagler ether, I think Hagler beats a lot of guys Hopkins lost to that's for sure.

You aren't the only one I'm referring to. I'm often told that 'old fighters' are overrated (not only boxers from the early 1900's but the 1990's as well) which might be true in some cases but not always.

For example many Floyd Mayweather fans don't believe that Whitaker was better or even at the same level as Floyd.

I don't have a problem with anyone picking Hopkins over Hagler since both are great and I have trouble deciding who would win a fight between them myself.

The Heavyweight Champions Part 1
Uploaded by TheGreatA

Henry Armstrong
Uploaded by TheGreatA

Jersey Joe Walcott
Uploaded by TheGreatA

Do I believe these old time fighters could've beaten every boxer from the modern era? Not really, but I also do not think they were all skilless sluggers who never trained for a fight.

Again, it might be true in some cases (Galento) but some were true pioneers who deserve respect for what they did for boxing.