Hearns. I consider Hill to be a better light heavy than Hopkins. I'd favor Hopkins over Hearns at 160.
Hearns is not used to fighting guys his height. Bernard can also fight tall when he wants to. Hearns is a great boxer, but Bernard is a better hustler (who can also box) and has more tricks up his sleeve (dirty tactics etc) better chin and stamina. I gotta believe Hopkins prevails in the end, either by late knock out or by close come from behind decision.
A close one. Hearns leads early but I believe Hopkins is able to force a wrestling match and gathers enough points to win
Based on what? If anything, logically, Hopkins should do better the higher the weight given that he's naturally bigger and tougher....and has beaten bigger men.
Based on the fact that a prime, middleweight Hopkins had the fire and aggression to eventually grind Hearns down and stop him. The older, 175 Hopkins would be content to pose all night, drop a decision, then complain he was robbed.
Hearns all night. Hopkins relies on fighting mentally weak guys or scrubs. Hearns won't give a fuck about Bernards occasional "traps" and so-called fighting and mind-games. Expect Bernard to go into a shell once he gets hurt and start complaining. Bernard will spend all night trying to set up his shitty little trap and Hearns will just flick out that left hand, force him to cover up and have plenty for Bernard when he finally realizes he's way behind and Hearn's ain't eating the stink-cheese Bernard has laid. Then expect Snaggle to start touching the back of his head, looking at the referee, shaking his head, going walk-about...then tells Larry "I felt I won, he was hitting me low, and and and...where Oscar....I want a rematch...I can't win, Lawyers.....the weight, the system, alien blood, Bernard Hopkins ain't going away, I slipped vs Kovalev, Russia ain't shit "
Hopkins was very impressive against Pavlik and Tarver, but I see Hearns winning. Picturing their styles and imagining them fighting, I can imagine Hearns' handspeed, accuracy, excellent distance, and overall boxing skill getting the better of Nard.
