Better old man performance: Klitschko vs Joshua, Hopkins vs Tarver, Pacquiao vs Thurman

Hopkins clearly its not even debatable.

Tarver was considered the number 1 Light Heavyweight and Hopkins was moving up in weight and totally dominated Tarver.

Pacquiao/Thurman was a great achievement for Pacquiao but it was a very close fight and Thurman isn't as good as Tarver.

 

I will go with Pacquiao because Tarver himself was an old man by the time he faced Hopkins.

Edit: Hopkins´ win over Tarver is superior than Pacquiao´s over Thurman.

 

Hopkins dominated Tarver in every aspect. Wlad lost to Joshua despite giving a spirited effort and people really need to remember how close Pac vs. Thurman was. After an unsteady early rounds Keith gave a very good accounting, hell he nearly won and outlanded Manny.

Hopkins humbling Kelly Pavlik shades all of these though.

 

Considering the fact Wlad lost, I can't place his performance over the 2 other old dudes that actually won. I say Pac's performance was the most impressive. He pretty much came out of retirement to beat Thurman, Hopkins remained active during his geriatric stage of his career.

 

Tarver had to nearly kill himself cutting weight after bulking for Rocky 6 and looked like complete ****. Thurman didn’t have weight issues like that and he’s way younger than Manny.

 

Pacquiao, he won and beat a prime undefeated champion in Thurman who was much younger

I feel like Tarver's non effort taints Hopkins win a little. I know that's not fair and Hopkins came off a lay off and was old but I feel Tarver turned in a poor effort that was enhanced by Hopkins being on. I'm not saying the Tarver win doesn't look good historically but I don't think it carries the shine Pacquiao's does

Wlad's performance was great, he should have won when he had Joshua gassed and on the hook. He lost so I have to put him at three though Joshua was near his peak

 

I think with Hopkins, he could even be the original classic definition of the term 'old man performance'


'Wily' should be his middle name.

 

It's definitely Hopkins clearly. Hopkins was just coming off 2 losses to Jermain Taylor, was the underdog going in and he ended up completely dominating Tarver in his first fight at 175 two weight classes above, not to mention Tarver himself coming off victories over RJJ and Johnson.

 

Tarver walked around well above 200, he was not unfamiliar with weight cuts. Killing himself is a little bit of an over exaggeration.

Tarver threw more punches than Bernard. He just couldn't land.

Tarver said he was drugged,

Tarver's own words "I'm lean, mean, I'm ready to go. I've got no excuses, no problems. I don't have a problem. I'm ready"

After: Tarver still went on to regain a tile at that same weight and defend it, losing again only when he fought Chad Dawson (another stylistic foil). Tarver would never lose again after this.

 

out of those three i think its bernard hopkins win, but one that i really appreciate is when larry holmes outsmarted ray mercer

 

Clearly Hopkins.

I thought Tarver put on some quality old man performances as well. Woods, Green, Banks, Cunningham.

 

They were all great performances and what's crazy is I think all 3 of the old guys scored knock downs in those fights.

 

you are correct