Hopkins is the gold standard for old fighters. Beterbiev is almost 40 years old now, which is ancient for a top level pro fighter. Hopkins was overwhelmed by the speed and athleticism of Jermain Taylor when he was ABs age. Also, despite Hopkins reputation as a great old fighter he was a seriously diminished fighter at 40. I'm watching some of Hopkins fights in the late 90s and the difference between younger and older Hopkins is striking.
Overwhelmed by Jermain Taylor you are having a laugh right ? Hopkins lost two very close controversial split decisions to Taylor in dull tactical fights, I would hardly say that's being "overwhelmed".
You said overwhelmed which is not the proper context to describe those fights at all. Being overwhelmed is suggesting dominance which it was not even remotely close to. They were dull lackluster tactical fights which could've gone either way, Hopkins actually outlanded Taylor in both fights and outlanded him considerably in power punches. Taylor matched up well against Hopkins but at no point was he overwhelming or dominating Hopkins and vice a versa for Hopkins.
Hopkins looked awkward and struggled the whole fight. He was negative and just looked uninspiring. He was worried about Taylor's speed.
Beterbiev is 39, Hopkins was 40 when he had those 2 close fights with Taylor. When he was 39 he beat De La Hoya and Allen. So at 39 I'd say it's pretty close as Hopkins while clearly declining at 39 was just like Beterbiev still on top of his division. So we will have a better idea when Beterbiev hits 40. If he loses to Bivol then it's likely Hopkins will still be seen as the fighter that aged better, but then if he beats Bivol clearly then Beterbiev takes the lead. They say power is the last thing to go and Beterbiev has that in abundance. Beterbiev has that in common with Foreman and Moore, two noted punchers who had success in their 40's and so we shouldn't be surprised if Beterbiev continues to have success. Hopkins in contrast was never a huge puncher, a decent one, but not a huge one. But he didn't rely on his speed either his issue in the Taylor fight was more that he couldn't sustain the kind of work rate he could during his prime and so altered his style to slow the pace of fights to suit him. That's what made Hopkins achievement so special, he didn't have the usual attribute that allowed the others to sustain their success into their 40's, he had to find another way to do it. So even if Beterbiev continues to win, I'd argue Hopkins feat is still more impressive.
Man, I have to say Beterbiev. I don't know if he will age as well as Hopkins from here on out (in fact I'm pretty sure that he won't) but right now, he looks imperious and rules with an iron fist.
Agree with pretty much all of this, except Hopkins was such a dirty fighter and such a whiner in the ring in the later years, the only I thing I find impressive about old Hopkins is exactly that: he was old Brilliant in his younger years but old Hopkins was an absolute snooze to watch
