What fighters would pick to beat a prime Hopkins?

Nope. Watch Hopkins v Johnson in 1997 and Hopkins v Trinidad in 2001. Then watch Hopkins v Oscar in 2004 and Hopkins v Taylor in 2005. You tell me there isn't a difference. B-Hop was nowhere near shot in '05 (he still isn't), but he was past-prime. The natural decline in stamina and workrate that manifested themselves in the Calzaghe fight were already apparent.

 

atsch

 

Roy Jones. Foster also.

 

DINAMITA I think its hard to pinpoint exactly where Hopkins prime was, what he had more in his earlier years was better physical traits such as stamina and workrate but didnt have as much ringcraft and boxing savvy which he developed over the years and still makes him a top fighter today.

If only we could combine his knowledge and experience now with his youth.

 

Prime Jones, Prime Hagler , Prime Monzon all out point him.

 

People often argue about that one..and it can be hard to put your finger on the exact time period of his prime.
But personally I always use the Hops from the Holmes and Tito fights as an example of prime Hopkins...Thats where his technical skills and ringcraft were at its best just about and any slide in his physical abilities appeared minimal to me.

 

Prime Hagler, Prime Jones, 160 pound Sugar Ray Robinson. His prime was at middleweight so forget the light heavy matchups. And how would Calzaghe beat a prime Hopkins when he could barely beat an older Hopkins?

 

had he moved up to 168 after the tito fight, calzaghe would have beaten him...jmo

 

This is his second Hopkins thread and it seems like he likes to also hit and run. I am still waiting for him to answer me at his other thread with Hopkins vs SRL. The poll thing could just be a mistake and far as clueless, I have not seen much of his threads until tonight. He agrees with others instead of just posting back and standing up. If you don't know, fine. Reading and understanding other posters will school you. I am not saying I know everything and I enjoy and learn myself by you and other posters.

Peace.

 

Why would you think that? Just curious. It could have gone either way when they met.

 

I agree. I don't really think Hopkins' prime is all that difficult to pin down. Something like '97-'03 is the range, with his absolute peak being his run against Echols II, Holmes, Tito. I think he was every bit the technician and craftsman he is today, and was probably just leaving his phsyical prime about that time.

 

Apparently 7 guys didn't watch Calzaghe/Hopkins

 

that fight happened at 175...prime vs prime would have happened at 168

 

Gerald McClellan at his peak.

 

I think Hagler and Hearns have a shot. Foster, of coarse.