Bernard never squeaks a word about Andre Ward... He's an opportunist and always have

How dare a 50 year old hall of famer who is literally old enough to be Ward's father not want to fight him? Doesn't he respect the wishes of ESB trolls?

 

He's not too close to Andre Ward, Bernard Hopkins is not too close to any other fighter! He's a fighter, and if it makes sense! He will fight you.

I feel if Bernard Hopkins the 43 year old Hopkins that beat Pavlik..? He would face Andre Ward already.

 

Hopkins knows who to fight, but what surprises me is that he has lost enough times now to take away from his marketability. Why would people care who he fights now? He is cherry picking, although at almost 48 he has to. I think he should have retired a few years ago. Now is just cherrypicking the easiest style to stay in the spotlight..

 

I don't care how weak you think a division is, you cant have as many successful, dominant title defenses as Hopkins had without being truly great. There really weren't even many close fights during his reign. It was probably one of the two or three most dominant long reigns of all time. His greatness is not in dispute by any serious analyst or historian.

As for Ward, I wouldn't want to fight him either if I were Hopkins. Why fight a younger, stronger and faster version of yourself if there are more lucrative and winnable options out there?

 

he has a lot of title defenses, but I think Virgil Hill has more all together. Yet people underrate Virgil, who is going into the Hall of Fame next June.

 

Bhop might overpower Ward, yall ever heard of oldman strength?

 

So the standards are this high for Bhop? How many fighters in the history of the sport can be called a cherry picker at the age of 48 for fighting a titleholder?

 

:good:good:good

 

He is cherry picking. That is the first issue. If we agree on this the next question is:

Should he be fighting the best, or is it ok to cherry pick?

Personally I think it is ok at this time... he clearly wants to avoid fast or technical fighters.. and someone like Pavlik was taylor-made for him.... but he is old, so imo. he can cherrypick all he wants. But don't start explaining that he has some reason - and otherwise would face Ward... because that is bull****. He doesn't think he can beat Ward, and picks much easier targets.

 

People talking about a 48 year old man "cherry picking" on lhw champions!

I guess that's compliments enough.

 

Already been said, odd statement.

Also saw your short evaluation of his later career as fairly cynical.

 

Ward has shown no interest in moving up, if he did he would have fought Dawson at light heavy. Hopkins failed to make weight on the first attempt against Dawson so there's no way he can make super middle.

As other have said to accuse a 48 year old of ducking an opponent is ridiculous. Hopkins is several years past his prime, yet still gets accused of cherry picking. Is Holyfield at 50 ducking the Klitschko's?

They said he was ducking Dawson, then Hopkins signs to fight him and after the debacle of the first fight it was Hopkins who was chasing the rematch and Dawson who wanted to avoid a rematch. Despite Dawson being the clear favourite.

 

Hopkins has already stated he wont ever fight Ward it's on youtube after one of wards fights I think the kessler fight although not sure.

 

Op got one thing right... lead right headbutt Flopkins never wanted to see Lights Out Toney in the ring.... Toney would have showed him real old school boxing

 

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http://youtu.be/_6h21gZeQVM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6h21gZeQVM