It's worth noting the Gorilla Jones fights for Steele. Jones was a crafty fighter out there to do alot of what Bernard did. Although it does look and seem like Hopkins was better in more different areas than GJones, a more complete fighter. And bigger than GJones by a noticeable amount. If Steeles fight with Yarosz would have came off I feel this one would be easier to answer in a way. Sadly it didn't. For Hopkins Steele would be one of the best he fought. Definitely not a Pavlik type to Hopkins though in style. I think it would be an interesting boxing match. Too close for me ultimately.
I know there are a lot of Steel guys here and he had a good record but I"m not blown away by what I see .. I find his punching a bit exaggerated and wild .. Bernard was one of those guys like Jack Johnson, Whitaker, Mayweather than made men fight at their speed and gear and I see Hopkins, who I really don't like , winning a decision ..