Who wins? I pick Nunn. His hand-speed would put Hopkins in a shell just like RJJ's did. He'd land the occasional right hand, but he wouldn't have the height advantage he's used to, and he's not as talented as Nunn was. Nor was he as fast. Nunn wins a UD, probably beating Hopkins more convincingly than RJJ did (RJJ vs. Hopkins was a close fight IMO with neither fighter willing to engage the other to any great extent). Nunn had great instincts and wasn't afraid to mix it up. I think he'd be backing Hopkins up by the second half of the fight. Hopkins might respond and employ tactics as he did against Holmes, but Nunn would find spots even inside that would make Hopkins think twice. It's a shame Nunn didn't do more with his career, given the talent he had. I still maintain it's why SRL moved all the way down to 154 - better to test the glass chin of Terry Norris than to lose decisively to Nunn.
Stylistically Nunn is definitely a difficult fight for Hopkins too and I can envision the scenario you portrayed. However, I do pick Hopkins here as he was the master of these situations: to figure out a way to overcome his foe, he had that many tools. Also, the prime Nunn of mythical match-ups is pretty much a myth too. At glimpses he could look astonishingly good, but in other fights, while still in his prime, he did struggle. It is not plausible to think he would fight every round as well as he sometimes did for three minutes
I agree with a lot of your post, but the part in bold might actually work against Nunn. The fight might not be as boring as RJJ-Hopkins, but if Nunn decided to really be aggressive against Hopkins he essentially would be giving up all of the physical advantages he has. It's not that he couldn't hold his own, but getting into a dog fight with Bernard would be pretty foolish and could ultimately be his downfall.
Nunn is the most overrated MM fighter ever His whole rep is based on could've and should've guess what? he DIDN'T Hopkins wins ugly, but he wins and out-toughs Nunn
Yeah. He was an under-achiever, but there's no denying he had a ton of natural talent. He was a good boxer, but funnest to watch when he'd go inside and batter his opponent while ducking and doging counters.
The Nunn from the Tate fight gives Hopkins HELL. B-Hop would have to adjust, and fight agressive... cuz he wouldnt outbox Nunn. But Hopkins would adapt, and I think he mauls and pressures Nunn just enough to win a close decision.
I'm saying Hopkins would have to get rough, and times even a bit "dirty" to win yes. But the circa 97-01 Hopkins was alot quicker than he is today, and would be able to close the gap and dig Nunn's body. And lets not forget that whilst Nunn was fast, and had decent power... his hands werent AS fast as Roy's, and he certainly had none of Roy's power to keep Hop honest.
I think 2 losses to Jermaine Taylor proved otherwise,...'the master' had 24 rounds to figure his absent minded opponent out,..but was EXPOSED as a one trick pony in coming forwards,.. 95% of Hopkins game revolves around backing away.
I'm talking about a peak Hopkins obviously. A prime Nunn would have HANDILY outboxed the Hopkins of 05.
Nunn and easily. Hopkins is made for Nunn and although Nunn was not an atg neither is Hopkins. Seriously, Joe Calzaghe's handspeed befuddled B-Hop and he fought a dumb fight. Horseface would gallop all over the ring and win by at least 10 rounds. Nunn is no Jermain Taylor. I guess you Hopkins lovers think highly of Echols and Robert Allen. Hopkins would get humiliated. The truth be told, Hopkins would have moved down to 154 and called the dea to get Nunn arrested before he would ever fight someone his size and that good.
