This is an interesting one: If Hopkins had the defensive skills he has now, with the energy he had in his prime, he'd be head and shoulders the best. Much as I was in the Calzaghe camp after B-Hop's badmouthing, I just can't overlook the skills he has now. It's a shame than even his phenomenal conditioning hasn't been able to withstand the ravages of time. Still, he showed Pavlik up. Totally outboxed him. Part of that IMO is that Pavlik is used to having the height and reach advantage and losing it against B-Hop. I mean 6' 1''. Joe Calzaghe: 5' 11'' and found it tough to stay at SM. B-Hop 6ft and change. Pav and B-Hop rlly definitely suit the higher weights. Maybe that was ONE reason for such dominance at MW?
Hagler or Monzon, nothing against Hopkins, he`s very close to these guys but I give them the H2H edge.