Hopkins in 2001 vs Martinez in 2010

If it wasn't for Hopkins Tito would have ruled the middle weight division with an iron fist for a long time. Hop put a stop to it. There is a reason why Hop was a 3 to 1 underdog going into the fight with Trinidad.

 

Hopkins wide ud

 

I know people r all relyin on this version of a defensive first Hopkins who sets the bait and scores and slips out of dangerzone but there was a Bernard who was a ferocious mean and aggressive mfkr who and when got close to you, everything would go no matter if you were muscled like Echols and Allen, tall and lanky like Holmes or compact like Joppy. The man used to rip you apart sliding in fists, forearms and elbows, somewhere so close to south of the border, bustin you up inside with stingin kidney punches, uppercuts, headbutts, grabbing arms, stepping, kicking and the man was superbly physically conditioned, tiny waist, chiseled, hard as leather, rock solid under 160... If Sergio didn't hear the final bell against Tony margarito, he surely wouldn't against Bernard and don't come to me that he found himself at a new range with footwork and throwing bombs from there like on Williams, Bernard would squeeze him pretty good until he would cal it quits.

 

:deal

 

Ditto. But I don't think it would be a walk in the park. I don't think Bhop KO's Martinez and Martinez could possibly outwork Bhop but I think Bhop takes it. One of Hopkins problems, though, is lack of output. This is why it would be closer than most think.

 

The tread title said 2001 Hopkins, not 2014 hopkins. Martinez ain't outworking a 2001 Hopkins sorry.

 

When Hopkins fought guys that had faster hands than him, how well did he do?

 

Both have good cases to win. Maravilla would be too active, too fast for Hopkins as Taylor, Jones, and Calzaghe were, Bhops likes to fight at his pace. But then again, Bhops would try to expose Maravilla everytime he's caught off balance, and lesser fighters like Pavlik and Macklin were able to do. So I think it goes back and forth, Sergio being more active and Bhops dropping him once or twice. Pretty even, close fight too close to call.

 

Sergio is not Roy Jones

Taylor barely beat Hopkins at age 40 in 2 fights that could go either way

Calzaghe at times did good with his speed but 90% of the fight was hitting air and tapping shoulders. Hopkins was 42. Gift decision bad comparison

Oscar is fast too and he got crushed. Sergio will get decisioned

 

Hopkins was never a high output fighter. You make it sound like since he has gotten older his output has really dropped. Not the case. He never was.

Hopkins is a superb counterpuncher. He gives opponents a false sense of security, they get relaxed and he catches them. He has done this over and over.

The one thing remarkable about Hopkins is his ability to maintain a constant level of proficiency, despite his age. This does not mean he was a lot better when he was younger, because he wasn't. One mark of greatness is longevity. If there is anything Hopkins has going for him in the greatness category it is the ability to fight high level competition for an extended period of time.