'Wasted' is a bit harsh. But I think he could've achieved even more than he did. Too many years spent on humdrum home WBO defences. Don't have any doubt on the Hopkins fight. Hopkins's spoiling, mauling and box of tricks kept it relatively close but only one guy was actually trying to win that fight and not just hoodwink the judges.
I know who he beat and that was precisely my point. Each to their own but his record never did impress me.
We will never truly know. A more aggressive Hopkins, an inconsistent Hopkins and a RJJ waiting to be found out. None of them are as one sided as some would have you believe.
As has already been said, at 168? YES, Lacy was a champion at least You know, certain well-versed members of this forum once said Kelly Pavlik would always beat Joe, because of the style advantage... Then Joe beats a "past it" Hopkins. who goes on and gives Kelly Pavlik a well over-due boxing lesson, poor Kelly. What happened to Pavlik beating Joe 9/10? needless to say those statements were withdrawn sharpish
I'm not bothered that Lacy held a title, even though I think Dawson is very overrated (always has been) - and the weight issue.... I still think he's a better fighter than Lacy was. Nobody in their right minds picked Pavlik to beat Calzaghe.... it was just a shame that Calzaghe fancied the fight with Jones instead for the payday, then proceeded to give Roy a 50% split :admin
Yep he wasted it on the WBO, IBF, WBA, WBC and Ring belts he won at Super-Middleweight and the Ring belt he won at Light-Heavyweight. He got out of the sport with lots of money, lots of titles and undefeated. What more could you want? To have beaten Steve Collins for the proper title? To have fought Ottke? To have fought Nigel Benn? To come out of retirement at 40 to fight Andre Ward and Carl Froch?
Exactly mate, he got out of the sport at the right time and achieved more than anyone else did in his generation. If he was still fighting now he probably would have lost imo, not because he isn't a great fighter but because he was past his peak. He kept on top til 37 ffs, what more do you want.