Hypothetical Middleweight Clashes

[Dodger07]

Who wins and why?
(Assume all fighters are at their peak)

GGG v. Hopkins @160

Hopkins v. Hagler @160

Canelo v. Ward @175

Canelo v. Froch @168

GGG v. Froch @168

Trinidad v. GGG @160

Hopkins wins a tough decision over GGG. Too skilled and strong at this weight for GGG imo. His defense, chin, and stamina would allow him to finish strong in this one.

Hagler over Hopkins in another tough decision. Both are tough, strong and skilled technicians but i think Haglers body punching and ability to switch hit tilts it in his favor.

Ward by clear decision. Ward would maul the smaller man on the inside and not allow Canelo to get off his sharp counters. Ward himself is a good counter puncher himself with great defense.

I like Froch by decision as well, just too big and relentless. canelo would have a field daylanding sharp counters on the slower guy. but Froch would come on late and his work rate would overwhelm canelo.

I think this matchup favors GGG slightly and I'd pick him to decision Froch in an absolute war. Both men can dish it and take it but I think GGG can slip a few more punches and is a harder puncher so I like him to take it.

GGG KO's Trinidad inside six rounds in a fight that would be fun while it lasts. Both are massive punchers but GGG has an atg chin and is the bigger man and puncher at this weight

[Legends456]

Hopkins wins a tough decision over GGG. Too skilled and strong at this weight for GGG imo. His defense, chin, and stamina would allow him to finish strong in this one.

Hagler over Hopkins in another tough decision. Both are tough, strong and skilled technicians but i think Haglers body punching and ability to switch hit tilts it in his favor.

Ward by clear decision. Ward would maul the smaller man on the inside and not allow Canelo to get off his sharp counters. Ward himself is a good counter puncher himself with great defense.

I like Froch by decision as well, just too big and relentless. canelo would have a field daylanding sharp counters on the slower guy. but Froch would come on late and his work rate would overwhelm canelo.

I think this matchup favors GGG slightly and I'd pick him to decision Froch in an absolute war. Both men can dish it and take it but I think GGG can slip a few more punches and is a harder puncher so I like him to take it.

GGG KO's Trinidad inside six rounds in a fight that would be fun while it lasts. Both are massive punchers but GGG has an atg chin and is the bigger man and puncher at this weight

Those are believable scenarios, thanks for commenting!

[Boxing_1013]

Well I’d have to go back and look at his MW fights on boxrec... overall, personally, I think he’s up there with Mayweather Jr. and the like.

He was very, very hard to hit cleanly and he had a way of frustrating fighters who were much more fearsome than he.

He also had an incredibly long prime and didn’t fade like others of his generation (for example Roy Jones, Jr and Oscar de la Hoya).

Because of these established facts, I think he is very similar to Floyd, but with a different body type and more risk-taking in his matchups.

It’s a bit sad he doesn’t get mentioned as TBE on these forums, which in my opinion he’s not the best of all time, but definitely has more rights to that title than Mayweather does, who although a GREAT boxer, his perfect record is at least partially down to great career management and risk minimization.

Good post man...I especially like the last paragraph...greatness imo is about really testing yourself etc and coming out on top...Floyd was great, but over the last decade or so of his career, as the A-side, he never really had to take big risks, instead he was always in control of everything.

Yeah I may be being a bit harsh on BHop due to him fighting so long, and forgetting his more prime moments...I just can't recall him looking really great at MW...I also never liked how he always jumped in with his head lol...but hey it worked for him and he got away with it...and he was certainly smart in there and a tough customer...I think he could box some in addition to the dirty stuff so I like that about him.

I wouldn't say anyone would have an easy time with him in his prime..he may lose some from 160-175 but the guy would have to earn it.

[Legends456]

Good post man...I especially like the last paragraph...greatness imo is about really testing yourself etc and coming out on top...Floyd was great, but over the last decade or so of his career, as the A-side, he never really had to take big risks, instead he was always in control of everything.

Yeah I may be being a bit harsh on BHop due to him fighting so long, and forgetting his more prime moments...I just can't recall him looking really great at MW...I also never liked how he always jumped in with his head lol...but hey it worked for him and he got away with it...and he was certainly smart in there and a tough customer...I think he could box some in addition to the dirty stuff so I like that about him.

I wouldn't say anyone would have an easy time with him in his prime..he may lose some from 160-175 but the guy would have to earn it.

Thanks, man!

[TonyGe]

Who wins and why?
(Assume all fighters are at their peak)

GGG v. Hopkins @160

Hopkins v. Hagler @160

Canelo v. Ward @175

Canelo v. Froch @168

GGG v. Froch @168

Trinidad v. GGG @160

You have three non Middleweight fights listed. What's up with that.

[Legends456]

You have three non Middleweight fights listed. What's up with that.

Lol, my mistake!

[TonyGe]

I don't think Hopkins was at his best at Middleweight. He's a bigger man naturally than 160. I think he could lose against both Golovkin and Hagler. Hagler is smaller than Golovkin but his inside game is much more advanced. Hagler wasn't adverse to using his head or landing an occasional low blow. If Hopkins wanted to play rough Hagler wouldn't be lost. Trinidad had the opposite problem. He's not a natural 160 pound fighter IMO. Golovkin would beat him. Golvkin would be able to take his punch but Tito won't be able to take his. The obvious matchup you left out would be Golovkin versus Hagler.

[elfag]

Hopkins
Hagler
Canelo
Canelo
Froch
Trinidad

[elfag]

I don't think Hopkins was at his best at Middleweight. He's a bigger man naturally than 160. I think he could lose against both Golovkin and Hagler. Hagler is smaller than Golovkin but his inside game is much more advanced. Hagler wasn't adverse to using his head or landing an occasional low blow. If Hopkins wanted to play rough Hagler wouldn't be lost. Trinidad had the opposite problem. He's not a natural 160 pound fighter IMO. Golovkin would beat him. Golvkin would be able to take his punch but Tito won't be able to take his. The obvious matchup you left out would be Golovkin versus Hagler.

bruh he made 160 with ease

[TonyGe]

bruh he made 160 with ease

Hmm your right I may have to eat my words. To me he looked like he belonged in a higher weight division but like you said he made the weight and he had great results.