Why doesn't anyone question about Bernard Hopkins when he beat Kelly Pavlik at the age of 43?

That was the fight where many people didn't think Hopkins had a chance since he just lost and was facing the guy who beat Taylor (same guy who beat Hopkins twice) twice, plus he was already 43 years old fighting a younger undefeated puncher. Not only did Hopkins win convincingly and in one sided fashion he gave one of his best performances to date.

So why doesn't anyone question Hopkins? Has there been any kind of testing for that fight? To me Hopkins is clean, just like Pacquiao, and they were both able to defy all odds.

 

Everybody sane questions B-Hop. Certainly with the non drugtesting and the stories about the contracts.
I remember when Kovalev vs B-Hop came up and people were on about Kova juicing because he hits so hard... like nobody ever hit that hard... and then the first guy ever with 2 belts at 49, who doesn't want drugtesting in his fights... that's totally fine, no suspicion there at all

 

I know Duva talked something about it but I don't remember there ever being a case where Hopkins turned down testing.
Hopkins is the type of guy who would likely do whatever it takes.
But then again he is as health conscious as one can be, and PED's do have side effects.

But a man in his 40s performing at a high level is not some miracle. Happens all the time, even in boxing.
Plus Hopkins often controls the pace of his fights. He fights in a comfortable rhythm and uses few explosive movements.

 

Hopkins was definitely a juicer. Started in his late 30’s I hear. Which makes the whoopin Joe Calzaghe gave him all the more remarkable. Rumor has it he was already on HGH AND testosterone before that fight. Didn’t stop the 168 GOAT!

 

Joe definitely clearly won that fight, but a "whooping"?

 

An old fighter putting on that kind of performance with long standing ties to Mackie Shilstone...most reasonable fans can do the math on that. PED peddling pariahs from other sports always seem to wind up in boxing. Mackie was a OG in helping fighters live better lives through chemistry

Still a heck of an achievement on Hopkins' behalf, added help or no

 

I did think it was suspicious. A lot of people attributed his longevity to style rather than physicality but I agree it was def a bit suspect.

 

He cut his workrate in half. That's one way to do it.

 

he kept his work rate down, and of course it was kellys first fight 2 divisions up and post alkie.
Hop was no longer able to match the elites or near elites of LHW, however,he could beat world class.

Easier said than done at that age whatever.

 

Hopkins had a tue for testosterone. So he was defo juicing

 

Our resident PED expert @MVC! should make a thread on this chronic juicer.

 

Hopkins was probably on the juice as well. I actually picked Kelly to beat him back then.

 

I wouldn't put it past Hopkins but like any other boxer, he has to be assumed "clean" until he tests "dirty".

 

I think Hopkins is just able to stay in shape consistently. His boxing craft obviously helped him last longer.
It's funny because when that Pavlik fight was announced I always knew Hopkins would have been a much harder fight for Pavlik and would possibly win in a close fight but never did I think it would have been that easily. Some fighters are just capable of surprising people.

 

Boxing is the most racist sport. Funny how no one is questioning Thurman. He was the one that was hurt and ended up being stronger in the late rounds.