B-Hop vs Rahman in 2006 : winnable fight?

[Tiozzo]

I was wondering what would have happened if Hopkins went straight up to heavyweight to challenge then WBC champ Hasim Rahman in 2006 after successfully beating the best light heavy in the world in Tarver.

There have been talks of Hopkins moving up to challenge David Haye a couple years back. Whether he was serious about it or not, who knows, I personnaly think he was since Hopkins wants to put the finishing touches on his legacy.

So, 2006 versions of Hopkins coming off Tarver vs Rahman coming off getting robbed VS Toney. Winnable fight for Hopkins, or would B-Hop fail at trying to emulate what Fitzsimmons, Jones and Toney did ?

Hopkins : 6'1 and 74 inch reach
Rahman : 6'2 and a half, 82 inch reach

Who you got ? Vote an discuss.

[-DSG-]

id like b-hop in the fight rahman was nothing special

[Tiozzo]

id like b-hop in the fight rahman was nothing special

special, no, but he was a solid heavyweight with a big right hand, decent head movement and underated jab

[joe strong]

I was wondering what would have happened if Hopkins went straight up to heavyweight to challenge then WBC champ Hasim Rahman in 2006 after successfully beating the best light heavy in the world in Tarver.

There have been talks of Hopkins moving up to challenge David Haye a couple years back. Whether he was serious about it or not, who knows, I personnaly think he was since Hopkins wants to put the finishing touches on his legacy.

So, 2006 versions of Hopkins coming off Tarver vs Rahman coming off getting robbed VS Toney. Winnable fight for Hopkins, or would B-Hop fail at trying to emulate what Fitzsimmons, Jones and Toney did ?

Hopkins : 6'1 and 74 inch reach
Rahman : 6'2 and a half, 82 inch reach

Who you got ? Vote an discuss.

rahman wasn't robbed. he outlanded him but a fat toney landed much bigger punches although he wasn't as active. rahman just jabbed all night. id have like to have seen how toney would have done if he fought rahman at his holyfield weight of 221.

[bojangles1987]

Hopkins wasn't that type of fighter IMO, he would have faced serious issues with the weight, and Rahman wasn't a bum. Not very good, but not a fighter Hopkins would beat.

[joe strong]

ive watched rahman's whole career & too many people on this site don't give him enough credit. he fought everyone in the 90s when the division was at one of its best times. he never fought tyson but he was in with almost everyone else. he is a 2 time world champion. he got screwed in a few of his fights. maskaev had his # but maskaev was an old warhorse. he has had a solid career & if povetkin isnt careful & hasn't improved his ability to defend the right hand, he could be laying on his back while rahman has his hand raised.

[Bushbaby]

Hopkins can't beat any remotely legit heavyweight. Rahman was that in 06.

[hayZ]

I reckon he had a shot, but he would have to make it his fight i.e. ugly as hell. Grab, grab oh and throw a punch here and there as well. Just don't let Rahman set up that right hand and he has a chance...though it isn't a big one.

[New England]

I was wondering what would have happened if Hopkins went straight up to heavyweight to challenge then WBC champ Hasim Rahman in 2006 after successfully beating the best light heavy in the world in Tarver.

There have been talks of Hopkins moving up to challenge David Haye a couple years back. Whether he was serious about it or not, who knows, I personnaly think he was since Hopkins wants to put the finishing touches on his legacy.

So, 2006 versions of Hopkins coming off Tarver vs Rahman coming off getting robbed VS Toney. Winnable fight for Hopkins, or would B-Hop fail at trying to emulate what Fitzsimmons, Jones and Toney did ?

Hopkins : 6'1 and 74 inch reach
Rahman : 6'2 and a half, 82 inch reach

Who you got ? Vote an discuss.

rahman.

i remember the hopkins - haye talk but certainly no hopkins - rahman talk.

not saying it wasnt out there, i just dont remember hearing it at the time.

i'd pick hasim. he's not the greatest of HW but he is an honest to goodness HW. the guy is huge. hopkins punches wouldnt put a dent in him. rahman had a very good jab. i think he'd win a decision, simply because he was never able to sustain a terrific pace for 12 rounds, and of course hopkins is so crafty.

[Canelo Phresh]

Staing on the inside tying up rahman, taking away his right hand hokins could do it.