b-hop v hearns

[cockneyhardman]

in they're prime at middleweight who would win?
this is how they match up in my opinion

chin - hopkins
handspeed - hearns(by a whisker)
attacking skills - hearns
defence - hopkins
power - hearns
heart - even
height/reach - hearns
consistency - hopkins
endurance - even
ring generalship - hopkins

very hard one to pick but i tend to think hopkins. hearns is more dangerous no doubt but also tends to be vulnerable, something hopkins defenitely isn't
i could see this being a boring chess match but see hopkins edging out a SD or UD by frustrating hearns
if hearns decides to brawl he wears himself out without landing anything significant hopkins being well aware of his power and controlling the last half of the fight

[Robbi]

Hopkins. And thats a confident pick.

[Godfather]

Id say Hopkins by close UD or Hopkins KO 12

[mr. magoo]

On the surface, this looks like an easy pick for Hopkins, but Hearns was ahead against a peak Leonard before gassing late. He also defeated a great boxer in Benitez and a prime Virgil Hill when past his best. I don't see Tommy scoring a Ko, and a knockout win for Hopkins is certainly possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hearns win a decision. Afterall, he was never really outboxed by anyone, despite a winning or losing outcome.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by mr. magoo
On the surface, this looks like an easy pick for Hopkins, but Hearns was ahead against a peak Leonard before gassing late. He also defeated a great boxer in Benitez and a prime Virgil Hill when past his best. I don't see Tommy scoring a Ko, and a knockout win for Hopkins is certainly possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hearns win a decision. Afterall, he was never really outboxed by anyone, despite a winning or losing outcome.
This is what I was thinking when I saw this thread.

[DINAMITA]

Hopkins. Pretty sure of that.

[Dave's Top Ten]

A come from behind KO win for Hopkins but I wouldn't bet the house on it. Hearns by decision is not unimaginable.

[round15]

Surprised nobody is rallying around the Hitman. Hopkins would be facing a serious boxer that's got one of the deadliest jab-straight right combos in the history of the sport.

This could be a close fight with the decision going either way. I don't think Hopkins coasts to a UD win against Hearns.

[Dave's Top Ten]

Surprised nobody is rallying around the Hitman. Hopkins would be facing a serious boxer that's got one of the deadliest jab-straight right combos in the history of the sport.

This could be a close fight with the decision going either way. I don't think Hopkins coasts to a UD win against Hearns.


Pretty much agree. Hearns combination of strengths and weaknesses meant, I believe, he had the ability to defeat a lot of great middles, and lose to some lesser ones

[brown bomber]

Hearns KO.

[the cobra]

There was a distinct difference between Tommy's mobility below Middleweight compared to when he was there. He was quite simply a lesser fighter at the weight and above than he was at 154 and 147 IMO. That Hearns was never outboxed doesn't mean too much in this fight, Hopkins wouldn't be trying to 'outbox' Hearns on the outside, he would look to get up close and rough Hearns up on the inside.

The most likely scenario in my opinion is Hopkins gradually grinding Tommy down for a late round stoppage. I think he would be in control and ahead on points by the stoppage as well.

[leverage]

Hearns by a very boring split decision

[Russell]

Hopkin's, and I have very little doubt in that pick.

Tommy was murder at long and mid range, but what's he going to do when Hopkin's puts him through a meat grinder in close while nullifying absolutely everything Hearn's can do? Holding Tommy's left in a arm lock while clubbing him, typical Hopkin's stuff.

Hopkin's was and is an expert at disarming his opponents, and when you disarm Tommy there isn't a chin behind that power to get him through a fight like this in my opinion.

[PowerPuncher]

Hopkins will just figure out the best fight strategy as he always does and execute it, which probably means pressuring, getting to close range and roughing Hearns up. Is everyone forgetting how relentless Prime Hopkins was?

Hopkins mid-late KO

[roscoe]

Hearns by UD. The only fighter hopkins came up against with similar boxing skills was Jones Jnr & we all know what happened. That left hand of Tommy's was as equally awesome as his right hand. Luv both fighters but Tommy for mine.

[radianttwilight]

There was a distinct difference between Tommy's mobility below Middleweight compared to when he was there. He was quite simply a lesser fighter at the weight and above than he was at 154 and 147 IMO. That Hearns was never outboxed doesn't mean too much in this fight, Hopkins wouldn't be trying to 'outbox' Hearns on the outside, he would look to get up close and rough Hearns up on the inside.

The most likely scenario in my opinion is Hopkins gradually grinding Tommy down for a late round stoppage. I think he would be in control and ahead on points by the stoppage as well.

Ditto. Hearns was never that great at inside fighting. Hopkins is a master at it.

Let's not forget that Hopkins, with an exception for reach, is actually BIGGER than Hearns.

This would be a long night with a very bad end for the Hitman, I think.

[cockneyhardman]

Hopkins will just figure out the best fight strategy as he always does and execute it, which probably means pressuring, getting to close range and roughing Hearns up. Is everyone forgetting how relentless Prime Hopkins was?

Hopkins mid-late KO

roy jones could not hurt him at all, hiopkins actually reminds me of hagler

[JohnThomas1]

Tho Hopkins is the obvious fave, Hearns unique skillset could have him in quite some trouble. Regardless of the outcome Hopkins would have some very hairy moments.

[riggers]

I would expect Hopkins to win, but could also envisage him going into his shell after being caught by Hearns and outboxed.

[Silver]

the way hopkins fights, he hard to outbox. jones his sheer athletisim to beat hopkins on pts and ven then jones did look as great as he usually did during his prime. hearns would be slightly ahead on pts but hopkins utlimately will be to strong and will hurt hearns down the stretch and stop him.

[laxpdx]

I think Hopkins would probably win by decision, provided he doesn't catch too many of Tommy's bombs, which could stop anybody on a given night. Then again, given Hearns' suspect stamina and chin, he could be put away, too. But, this match would most likely go the distance or damn near it.

[asero]

I think Hopkins would probably win by decision, provided he doesn't catch too many of Tommy's bombs, which could stop anybody on a given night. Then again, given Hearns' suspect stamina and chin, he could be put away, too. But, this match would most likely go the distance or damn near it.


right on the spot:good

[Brighton bomber]

2 of my favourite fighters of all time but I would have to pick Hopkins. Hearns speed, jab and boxing skills, off the back foot would definately give Hopkins problems but I see Hopkins stopping Hearns late on.

Prime Hopkins had the high workrate and the relentless body attack which would grind the Hitman down late on. Also I think Hopkins in the build up would win the psychological battle and get to Tommy, making him more aggressive the normal to the detriment of his game plan.

[Doppleganger]

As against a mythical match-up vs Spinks Tommy might get more success if he goes to the body, ala Shuler and Barkley. I can't see too many people withstanding the Hearns long-range left hook to the body multiple times but of course Hearns is a vulnerable fighter at middleweight and he is liable to be worn down by a fighter such as B-Hop.

B-Hop has got to be the favourite here but the only fighter he faced that had the speed and power of Hearns comprehensively outboxed him over 12 rounds. Tommy has the speed and boxing ability, coupled with one of the best jabs of all time, to make B-Hop look like a journeyman but I don't think he keeps it going for 12 rounds sadly.

B-Hop TKO 10 but with Tommy you never know. He was one of a very select handful of fighters who could defy logic and the laws of physics.

[warrior85]

hearns decision