First of all, that wasn't my point, my point was fighters age differently, which you well know. And addressing your point. You/I never said exactly 40, we said pushing 40. For 3 of Hopkins best performances, Pavlik, Tarver & Tito, he was 43, 41 & 36. Hopkins did NOT age like the normal fighter. I insult you because you're an annoying bias fan boy who's ridiculous and baits people. "If you knew the sport" **** off knobcheese
Fun facts: 1. Hopkins started slipping shortly after Tito 2. Hopkins turned pro late while Walcott turned pro as a teen. 3. Hopkins is the oldest champ in a sport that's existed for well over a hundred years. It's like pointing at a 120 year old women as proof that everyone can expect to live to 120.
Fun Fact: Every contemporary journalist worth his salt referred to Walcott as a journeyman done good. Late bloomer or not, he was considered an overachiever.
No, he actually beat 3 fighters much better and much more proven in Moore, Walcott and Charles, ( I'm omitting Louis because he was only a shadow of himself) Look , I've watched Ward a bunch of times. He never impressed me, his " greatness " is built on HBO and other media outlets calling him great, so people who watch those outlets automatically assume he is without really watching him. Or just watching his highlights. My 1st question would be how would Ward keep Marciano off of him, ( Or Qawi, Johnson, Spinks, Foster and many other great Lt.heavys) I've seen him land hundreds of clean right on the button punches on Super Middleweights and Lt.heavys and they were not close to being affected, and I'm talking about pretty average fighters nothing special. Now were supposed to believe that somehow he's going to stop a small tank, when proven punchers like Moore, Walcott and Charles didnt. Watch Ward closely he didn't plant his feet much and put his weight on his punches. He wore his opponents down with combinations when he did get a Ko. That's ok for this era of fighters but in past era's, some fighters would gladly let him pop them a few times for them to sledgehammer him. Ward has never faced ANYONE that could apply the sustained pressure on him that a fighter like Marciano would. He's never faced anyone who punched his arms, sides, and hips as a strategy. He never faced anyone as relentless as not only Marciano, but many natural Lt . Heavyweights over the years.. Sure Ward could get off to a great start against Marciano. But Marciano would realize very quickly Ward isn't a threat to really hurt him, unlike the fighters I mentioned early. By the 7-8 rd, Ward would find it very hard to be on his toes because his hips and sides (and his thighs,groin) would be blistered , by the 10th rd Marciano would change his attack to going for the head against a stationary Ward. Ward may survive and get a win if they fought 12 rds( But I doubt it) but in a 15 rd fight, he wouldn't hear the final bell.
No. It's like pointing to 120 year old women and saying that it's proof you can live to 120 years old.
Good fight. More fair than Rocky against big successful HWs he never saw in LHW-CW-era. Its well known all three of them beeing past their best, two of them approaching 40. The best Ward would do very fine here. Nevertheless, I see Ward boxing good for some rounds making Rocco look clumsy, until a better punch sends Ward to the canvas and another good shot sending him into lala-land.
He injured his hand early against Maxim, and the decision was controversial. He was also injured against Layne.
Boy, what has the Classic board come to now? I feel like I've been missing out on some stuff ever since it came back up from hibernation.
Who would you think Ward defeated was any better than Moore,Charles or Walcott even past their primes? I'll answer that for you no one....
