Hopkins best victory?

On both accounts really when you look at Hopkins workrate against Wright before and Pavlik after

 

:rofl

 

trinidad and pavlik are my personal favourites

 

I have to agree, all smaller men except Tarver who had already been beaten 3 times prior, thats why I also think Hopkins victory over H Eastman was a good performance, as he was of a similar size to Hopkins. Eastman was one of those fighters who could turn in hot and cold performances, but Hopkins completely outclassed him.

 

Tito Pavlik Tarver

 

Yes, clearly better. And Hopkins' resume in general is at least a couple of names better than Calzaghe's.

 

Calzaghe.

 

Not the same? At 154 he dominated undefeated junior middle titlist David Reid, KO'd 33-1 Mamadou Thiam in three rounds, and KO'd undefeated junior middle titlist Vargas. He then moved up to 160 and brutally KO'd middleweight titlist Joppy. If anything, he appeared to be better and 154 and 160 than he had been at 147, and most of the boxing public said so.

 

Either Tito or Pavlik.

 

It was Trinidad. Not that Pavlik wasn't a great win, but that doesn't have any reflection on Calzaghe's 'win' over Hopkins. It's styles.

Pavlik was absolutely tailor made for Hopkins, a come-forward, flat-footed fighter above his best weight who only wants to fight at mid-range, and also lacking in real cutting-edge hand speed.

Calzaghe had all the tools to give Hopkins trouble on paper. Speed of hand and foot, a high-workrate, an ability to adapt and adjust when things aren't working, and stamina to last down the stetch.

Now whatever way you cut it, it wasn't a clear win for Calzaghe, it was close and could of gone either way. And whatever way we cut it Bernard - even if he is still elite - isn't in his prime. He is only going to deteriorate physically, it's just he has slowed this process by remaining constantly in the gym and in fantastic shape. And also his style is timeless.

 

Trinidad is the obvious answer, but I've come to value the DLH win much more in recent times.

People say 'DLH wasn't a middleweight and looked rubbish in one previous fight there' and completely overlook the fact that Hopkins weighed in only two pounds north of light middleweight for that fight.

 

If that was a schooling then what the hell were the wins over Tito and Pavlik?:huh

I'd regard Tarver as Hopkins best win with Pavlik second and Tito third.

 

Well said, Tommy. That's a solid post.

 

I'd say probably Trinidad.