In order to beat Hearns a fighter typically had to have very good power or a willingness to take risks. Not exactly Hopkins hallmarks. Bernard liked to use his smarts to outbox people from the outside and get rough and physical in close. I think he'd have great difficulty doing either against the Hitman. I see Hopkins making some adjustments and having a better second half but still loses on points.
Hopkins had more than enough power to hurt Hearns. Hopkins rough and tough dirty style would wear Hearns down eventually besides Hopkins is still very underrated as a boxer, he could hang with Hearns in boxing. People may say " well Hearns outboxed Leonard and Benitez so how is Hopkins going to hang with him?" Well Hopkins is taller than both Leonard and Benitsz for one thing and is actually the same height as Hearns and is a bigger man than Hearns was unlike the two welterweights mentioned. Secondly Hopkins was cagey as fuck and very smart and adaptable. Thirdly in addition to all of this Hopkins stamina was ridiculous and Hearns couldn't math him in this area . All in all, Hearns can't fucking beat him.
I think it's a tough match for Hopkins. But I disagree that he didn't have the power to hurt Hearns at 160. If he lands enough, he could set up a late stoppage.
it is tough to pick. on one hand, you have the hopkins from the holmes fight who mauled the guy for 12 awful rounds. if he did that to hearns he would probably win (although it is tough to imagine he wouldn't get hit in the process and possibly become gunshy). on the other hand, you have the fearful and hesitant hopkins from the rjj and taylor fights. this guy loses easily to hearns.
Difficult fight for Hopkins for obvious reasons. However, 20 years ago he was a better middleweight than people remember and he was masterful in finding weaknesses in his opponent. He would find his way inside and wrestle the strength out of Hearns' spider legs, then stop him late
Prime Hopkin was a pretty aggressive fighter. I think he goes inside, works the body and cheap shot Hearns enough to force a late stoppage or win an UD
I think it's quite possible but easier said than done even for a guy like Hopkins. Not that all of Tommy's opponents were of Bernard's calibre or skillset, but I think most of them knew from that start it's what they wanted/needed to do. (get inside and do damage) Then they face a combination of boxing skill and punching power they've never experienced before.
Hearns by decision... Like Whiskey said, I think Bernard can start to make some stuff happen late, but there isn't enough time to close the gap.
He was aggressive against Robert Allen, Syd Vanderpool and Antwun Echols. But when he stepped up to notable opposition he suddenly became pretty negative. And he stayed that way the rest of his career.
He fought nobodies aggressively when he was younger and he fought elite fighters defensively when he was older. There's no evidence that he would be effective as an aggressive fighter against elite fighters because he really tried when he got the chance and the guys he mauled and roughed up were guys someone at his level can pretty much do to what they want.
He got outclassed by Jones and nobody thought to call Johnson decent until like 10 years and 10 losses after he fought Hopkins.
He didn't win... Young Hopkins demonstrated his aggressive style against guys would get destroyed by the guys old Hopkins fought cautiously and defensively.
Kinda torn on this matchup. I COULD see Hearns winning, but it's actually more his stamina rather than his chin that worries me. I could envision Hopkins wearing Tommy down for a late stoppage.
Once Hopkins tasted a clean right hand and lost a few rounds he would resign himself to losing a decision and bitching in the post fight interview like all of his losses.
Nonsense. I see to recall Barkley beating Hearns at 160lbs. Ok....that's unfair, hearns was winning until he got caught, but my point is, Tommy was vulnerable both in terms of chin and stamina. Hopkins could hurt him and could wear him down.
97-2000 Hopkins wasn't nearly as safety first as he was by 2005 when he first fought Jermain Taylor. He was much more willing to get in there and make an inside fight. That version of Hopkins would have ended Jermain Taylor's reign, violently.
