I would never take a smaller fighter over Hopkins in a boxing match. Hopkins by UD or TKO depending on it Duran felt like quitting that day.
Hopkins wins this via decision... I like his ability to upset tempo and I think he welcomes a dirty fight, so Duran's sometimes fresh tactics would be met with an enthusiastic response
:bears::: How about this - the difference in age between Wilfred Benitez & B-Hop is less than 6 1/2 years! Whereas the difference in age between Hopkins and Morales is nearly 12 years!
This would actually be an interesting bout (as much as any Hopkins fight could be, anyway :: ). I don't doubt the best version of Hopkins would win it, but between the fouling, pre, mid & post-fight trash talk, & a little of the actual Boxing, I see an intriguing, if not exactly enthralling, fight.
Hagler really dropped the ball against Duran. It's been the crux of Duran's claim to being anything at Middle since.
If Duran hadn't broken his hand, he would have won that fight. Hagler pulled it out in the last few rounds when Duran couldn't do anything. Plus a 5'7 lightweight beaten a guy like Barkley and putting him on his arse, age 38 no less, is pretty fucking impressive. I'm no sure he dropped the ball so much as was just outfoxed by the great Roberto.
I'll concede the Barkley fight (for some reason, was thinking that was at SMW). I disagree though that Hagler was out-foxed --- Duran put up a great fight & performed well within himself, but the defining factor as to why the fight was so narrow? Hagler just didn't step it up against a legend when the pressure was on (for the first time in his career). I mean, imagine what Monzon would've done to Duran at Middle. He'd have him boxed, diced, & shipped back home along the Panama canal. I'm of the opinion Hagler would've won a rematch more convincingly.
this is the first I'm hearing of an alleged broken hand on Duran in that fight... and watching the fight, it doesn't appear to be the case at all As soon as Hagler stepped up the aggression, he simply took over the fight Duran was amazing and great and all of that, but if Hagler had simply put the pedal to the metal earlier, like he did in the last two rounds, he would have worn Duran out and probably stopped him... he allowed himself to get lulled into a boxing match, because he thought Duran would be aggressive... brilliant tactical shift by Duran, bad failure to adjust to it sooner by Hagler... I still think the closeness of the fight is greatly exaggerated... Duran boxed superbly and definitely won some rounds, but that was essentially a 9-6 type of affair... Hagler was a clear winner
Agree with every word of that, tbh (except perhaps the stoppage part). It was a foreshadowing of his failure to do so against Leonard as well, IMO. This is purely pulled out my ass based on observation, but I have a feeling Hagler's ego was wrapped up in proving he had boxing skills enough to hang with those guys rather than just being seen as imposing his size and strength on them. If he'd just done the latter he'd have beaten both more easily. But as you say, Duran outsmarted him for long periods of that and he deserves some credit for it, beyond doing it 4 divisions above his best weight, well past prime against one of the best middles ever, etc.:Thumbs:
Why don't you fly to Italy and say that to Hagler's face? Also take me with you because i'd like to see Italy.
If Hagler tries to talk trash after you've left him near unconscious on the ground i'll stomp his ass!
