Bernard Hopkins vs Jersey Joe Walcott

[TheGreatA]

Yes, this is another thread about Bernard Hopkins facing an old time heavyweight great since these topics seem to be ever so popular. This is one match-up that I've been thinking about for a while and seems somewhat reasonable.

The fight is held at the old cruiserweight limit of 190 lbs. Who wins?

For people who are not familiar with Jersey Joe,

here's some footage:

Uploaded by

Hopkins' comments:

"I'm cut from the cloth of the old Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Henry Armstrong tradition. Those are people I look up to."

Could Hopkins have outboxed one of his idols?

If this particular match-up doesn't interest you then how about Bernard Hopkins vs Ezzard Charles? James Toney vs Jersey Joe Walcott? James Toney vs Ezzard Charles? James Toney vs Archie Moore?

“I developed my style by watching tapes of old fighters. I watched Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott constantly. I learned a lot from watching these guys and studying. Some of it just comes naturally."
-James Toney

[them_apples]

Yes, this is another thread about Bernard Hopkins facing an old time heavyweight great since these topics seem to be ever so popular. This is one match-up that I've been thinking about for a while and seems somewhat reasonable.

The fight is held at the old cruiserweight limit of 190 lbs. Who wins?

For people who are not familiar with Jersey Joe,

here's some footage:

Uploaded by

Hopkins' comments:

"I'm cut from the cloth of the old Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Henry Armstrong tradition. Those are people I look up to."

Could Hopkins have outboxed one of his idols?

If this particular match-up doesn't interest you then how about Bernard Hopkins vs Ezzard Charles? James Toney vs Jersey Joe Walcott? James Toney vs Ezzard Charles? James Toney vs Archie Moore?

“I developed my style by watching tapes of old fighters. I watched Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott constantly. I learned a lot from watching these guys and studying. Some of it just comes naturally."
-James Toney

damn he was timing that right hand.

[0Rooster4Life0]

Jersey Joe

[Thunder Lips]

Interesting match up. Size probably wouldn't be a huge factor but power would, I assume physical and punching would be a considerable advantage for Walcott with his experience with strongmen like Louis and Marciano. This would be important considering how much both fighters liked to clinch and score with big counters. Hopkins at light heavy isn't that much faster or busier either and than there's Walcott's jab and crafty footwork to worry about. I think Hopkins makes it ugly, gets a few good counters, and survives but Walcott takes a decision. I don't think Hopkins can pull an Ezzard Charles who carried tremendous speed and power as he moved up; dominating top heavies for years.

[StarshipTrooper]

damn he was timing that right hand.

Walcott was like that. Joe Louis once wrote that when Walcott dropped his left (a cardinal sin Louis knew a LOT about) it wasn't a mistake: It was a feint to sucker his opponent into throwing the right at which point Walcott would bring the roof down with a right of his own. Walcott knew every trick of the trade and his timing was near perfect.

Poet

[mathed]

Walcott was like that. Joe Louis once wrote that when Walcott dropped his left (a cardinal sin Louis knew a LOT about) it wasn't a mistake: It was a feint to sucker his opponent into throwing the right at which point Walcott would bring the roof down with a right of his own. Walcott knew every trick of the trade and his timing was near perfect.

Poet

Walcott was a beast, I have him taking Bhop out in the 14th rd (decision for Walcott if 12 rds)

[wmute]

Walcott has an edge is just about any compartment, Hopkins makes it competitive, but whan can he do against someone just as smart who is probably faster and hits way harder than he does. I mean as sharp as Hopkins is, he is not knocking down cruiserweights with his counters.

In general on the matchups. I want to throw Jones in the mix, and I want to make a general consideration.

Consider the 3 names from the past
Walcott, Moore, Charles

And the 3 from the almost present
Hopkins, Toney, Jones

Well this is a case where I would not hesitate to pick all 3 oldtimers against the 3 modern guys.

Why? Because the 3 names of today are 'flawed', in terms of fulfilling their potential.
Hopkins peak was past his physical peak.
Toney always lacked discipline.
Jones never needed to perfect his craft like the 3 oldtimers did. (and he is probably physically the smallest of all 6 people)

Now look at Walcott, Moore and Charles competition. Do you think they could have afforded to be lazy or not take care of knowing what to do if they met someone just as fast? Do you think they ever faced the problem of being "green" after age 25 or so? I doubt it

[BattlingNelson]

I dont consider Hopkins a big lightheavy let alone a cruiser, so size would matter big time in this match-up IMO. And that would be decisive. Maybe the great boxing brain of Hopkins could make it interesting for a few rounds as he might me able to rough Walcott up and land a few sneaky rights.

Still I see the highly skilled and crafty Walcott taking a decision regardless of the fight being 12 or 15 rounds.

[clay123]

Machine do you Box, or have ever boxed?

[StarshipTrooper]

Machine do you Box, or have ever boxed?

Who gives a **** ye of 5 posts. You might want to get some CIVIL posts under you belt before you start giving **** to long time posters.

By the way, you're probably an alt of juliocesa(r)chavez: A troll in this forum who CLAIMS to be a boxer and has been banned many times.

Poet