Hopkins is the exception, not the rule. This too. The way it's talked about, you'd think it was at 160 and not 170. Real good win. But overrated by many. And people are hypocrites who praise this and downplay the weight but do the extreme opposite for guys they have a personal dislike for.
Loved the guy after the wins over Miranda and Taylor. Shame his career ended the way it did, but at least he can retire with his mental faculties intact. I hope alcohol doesn't ruin his chances for happiness in his life after retirement.
Yeah, he a had superb run at the sport (even if it was short-lived). Only person he lost to in his prime was against an ATG in Bernard. And lost to Martinez mainly because he was a recovering alcoholic at the time. Had some great fights and some great moments. And as someone has said, he was a tough cookie - never been stopped. Good decision to retire. It's been clear for a while he was too far removed from his best to have a decent go again, and he's had the sense to admit his heart isn't in it any more, and is retiring while he has his good health. No point taking unnecessary punishment if you know you're not going anywhere in the game. Glad to hear he's saved plenty of money and has a business or two as well.
He was totally sick when he fought Hopkins, which is very obvious watching the fight. There he looked like he was fighting encased in cement or underwater, unusually slow, sluggish and lacking energy and bang. Otherwise, he would have wrecked Hopkins. Poor management, poor decisions and binge drinking equals underachievement regardless of natural talent and skills. Good luck to him.
Let it go. It's obvious that Hopkins outsmarted Pavlik at every point during the fight. Stop with the revisionist bs.
his fight with miranda and the first taylor fight where great.his total destruction of lockett and rubio were pretty funny as well
:deal You clowns downing Kelly never accomplished being champion of anything but keyboard wanking. If he retires give the man some respect.
Which "one"? Because he dethroned the middleweight champ, and then beat him in a rematch. He didn't really have any stellar defenses, only three and two of them forgettable - but did dominate El Veneno (who fought on close terms with Chavez Jr., busted Lemieux's cherry, and has a slew of solid B+ scalps). He also electrified boxing fans even before picking up the green belt in early 2007 with conclusive victories over dangerous ranked contenders in Miranda and Zertuche. From Zertuche through Taylor II was a better year-long run of form against quality opposition (not to mention activity, with four outings in twelve months and a couple of weeks and not a single tune-up) than any MW has enjoyed in a while.
Also, had the unification with Abraham happened, I now think Pavlik would've jabbed his face in. (back in 2008 picked Abraham by KO but came to question that as time bore on)
I don't think anyone is claiming that he is an ATG but he was a treat for us fans for a few years in his prime and got rid of a lot of very good fighters. I think it was a mistake to go up and fight Hopkins and I'm sure that will be one of his regrets when he looks back at his career. I'm glad that he is going out with four straight wins as most fighters do not have the luxury to go out on their terms.