B Hopkins MW reign if based in Europe? Just imagine how different and possibly tough Hopkins MW reign would have been had he been based in Europe. Lets give such a great fighter his arguably best MW win of K Holmes and then alter some of his other fights to take into account some of the dangerous fights he would likely have had to get through during his long reign as a champ. First of all, Hopkins, before being champ would possibly have been matched against MW versions of Benn, Eubank and Watson, which is a tough start before it all begins and would likely have given him 3 losses before he gets his first title shot and would possibly have prevented a title shot for a long period. I expect the Eastman fight would have happened and Hopkins won that fight clearly, but there are some real tough fights that possibly would have happened below, and picking a winner... Well?? 29-0 (15 KOs) WBF MW champ Lester Jacobs 23-0 (8 KOs) WBU MW champ Antonio Perugino Felix Sturm who has won WBO IBF WBA Steve Collins WBO MW champ Harry Simon undefeated 2 weight champ Arthur Abraham MW champ Robert McCracken tough fight Hacine Cherifi who beat K Holmes before Hopkins Armand Krajnc MW champ Bert Schenk MW champ Some very tough fights there and I think Hopkins would have won most, but Simon, Collins, Sturm I would have favoured to win. Discuss
Those guys ain't tough man. All eurobums. Collins feasted on shot fighters. Abraham got his jaw detonated by Miranda. He went life and death with him. No point fighting for the WBF or WBU. They have as much credibility as Charlie Z's UBF title.
Simon the undefeated 2 weight champ, I would have favoured. Collins aggresion, chin and skills I would have favoured Sturm when on form and boxing I think would have won a tight decision. Abraham beat Miranda
He went life and death with Miranda who Pavlik beat easily. Collins was the feast expert. Very predictable fighter. You can't be that predictable against BHOP cos he'll work you out and make you pay. Abraham was never any good. He feasted in europe and beat a shot to **** Jermain Taylor and some no names.
Yeah, while Hopkins middleweight run was impressive due to length of time and number of defenses I don't think he took an exactly a murders row of middleweights. His best wins came against guys coming up in weight. What is interesting though, is that if Hopkins was European and actually did beat all the names you mentioned- he would've been rated much lower by the clueless lunatics that frequent this forum because he wouldn't have been on HBO all the time nor his opposition thus he would've "only beaten bums" Look how lowly some of them think of Calzaghe. Here is what Doug Fischer says about 'Zaggers, regarding how underrated he was, which would be true of Hopkins if he was European: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/178431-dougies-monday-mailbag-129 Joe Calzaghe (underrated and hated) The athleticism and ring generalship of The Pride of Wales was always undeniable. He just had the wrong skin color, the wrong promoter, and came from the wrong part of the world as far as American hardcore fans (who dubbed him Cal-Slappy) were concerned. Had Joe been an African American who fought his career on HBO he would have been in everybodys pound-for-pound top five and fools would argue that he deserves all-time great status.
Hopkins would likely have never fought Benn, Eubank or Watson at middleweight. He would have had only 11 fights by the time all 3 were no longer a factor at middleweight. As for the others he would have swept through them.
He wouldnt have had many fights but would probably have been moved on a bit quicker and would as you say have had around 15 fights which would have made them tough fights, but I expect that one if not more would have got made. Look at how few fights Wharton had had when he fought Benn and then Eubank, so I think a talented fighter like Hopkins would have been put forward. As for sweeping through the others, I dont think he would get by Simon, Collins or Sturm, but think he would go the distance
I think Hopkins resume would be very impressive if he did have some of those names to his win column. Chances are if he did beat some of those fighters they would have then got credit
Life and death? atsch Abraham beat Miranda first and then more clearly than Pavlik managed in a return at a weight to suit Miranda. I would strongly favour Hopkins over Abraham also in general, but at MW and at that time Hopkins was losing to Taylor, who we know Abraham handled. Collins I think would have beat Hopkins to the punch and pressured Hopkins too much
collins could definitely give hopkins alot of problems, hes has alot more quality and mentally tougher than kelly pavlik. id pick hopkins SD.
Now whats upset you dummy? Whats agenda driven? What best fighters are you referring to? Best HW, Best CW, Best LHW? Lets see your answer before you cry moron
Its good to read opinions from posters who have thought about it, even when we are not in complete agreement