I didn't state that. The impression I got by H2H was that it meant how do you believe each fighter would fare against the best from their own best weight class. If you can point out to me where I went wrong brilliant.
Floyd, because the MW division is historically much deeper than SFW one also has to take into account that tons of hopkins best scalps at this weight were welters moving up too.
Hopkins vs Hagler, Hearns, leonard, Robinson, Toney, RJJ, Harry Greb, etc.... Floyd vs Duran, Leonard (I know not 130), Robinson at WW, Henry Armstrong, JCC, Pernell Whitaker, joe Gans, Benny Leonard, etc... It's close but, Hopkins has consistently faced the top challengers and won...Green Hopkins gave RJJ all he could handle...Floyd looks more gifted but, the proof is in the pudding and he won't fight the best for a reason...And LW and WW have some pretty good ATG's... Hopkins ain't pretty but, I find it hard to bet against him...
Agreed. BTW boxing isn't suppose to be pretty either. Alot of the fights we love had cuts and/or bloodied fighters. To be fair Mayweather did face a big puncher in Mosley and came out with a W I'll give him that. I didn't even think he would ever face Mosley but he proved me wrong. It would be nice if Floyd fought younger opposition more...
When you take talent (which would probably be mayweather, although Hops has a certain gift for nullification) and resume (which would probably be Hopkins, although his "will fight anyone" reputation is overstated) out of the equation, it gets pretty tricky to decide between them. I'd probably go ... Mayweather. Just. On one basis. I'd give Mayweather at least a 42% chance against any super-feather who ever laced them up (including Duran, weight-class issues notwithstanding). I'm not sure I'd give Hops 42% against the likes of Hagler, Leonard and Greb.
Hopkins didn't blink when offered 40-0 Tito, younger ODLH, Jermain Taylor (he ruined Taylor), Pavlik, Tarver, a string of undefeated challengers, etc...Line 'em up and I'll knock 'em down attitude... Floyd hasn't shown this at all in his career...
No, Floyd was doing pretty good for himself pre-140. It's 140+ in his career that has question marks. I agree that Hopkins shows more desire to fight the best overall. Hopkins to this day wants to face Pascal who's good & about 15 years younger than him. That's crazy.
Mayweather clear in every which way. Vintage BHOp had trouble with a past it Joe Cal. Now I dont want to hear that BHOp wasnt prime because his style hasnt change from 10 years prior to the Calzaghe fight.
Hopkins. Close, but I feel sure. The Hopkins of 00-01 was as great if not greater than Mayweather ever was. And in terms of resume/legacy/achievement, Hopkins has a clear edge. One of the top 5 ever in one of the traditionally strongest weight classes, and a man with late-career achievements reminiscent of Archie Moore vs a guy who avoided all of the toughest fights out there at 140 and 147 after a solid career at 130 and 135? Hopkins. Relatively close, but I feel certain.