I know he always had good defense but when in Bernard Hopkins' career has he started to become a defensive genius. He was more agressive in his prime but what fight and after it did he become more conservative and defense first? Can anyone help me out I'm thinking of getting his fights were he showed brilliance in defense but the fight was still good.
I'd say anytime hovering from the Glendon Johnson fight to William Joppy...That 5-6 year span was my favorite version of B-Hop definitely as he was more offensive oriented and seemingly unbeatable at that period (for Middleweights)
How old is hopkins? How old is dawson? What is with that dude fighting old guys? Go fight another young tough light heavy.
He fought him twice and I saw neither so did he box brilliantly both fights? I'm justt curious on your take of those.
I think I have to rank Hopkins over Mayweather defensively because he shows good defense against tougher recent opposition. (Hops: Tarver, Taylor 2x(lost but defense wasn't bad), Calzaghe(not bad defense from what parts of the fight I've seen) Pavlik, Wright; May: Marquez, Hatton, Baldomir, Judah, Mitchell) Plus Hopkins beat a younger version of Hoya and toke him out with a bodyshot. Now if Mayweather schools Cotto(even at his form now), Paul Williams, Clottey, Bradley(yes hes lww but still a good fighter for Floyd), maybe Collazo, Pac, and/or Mosley or other tough guys in his current division then maybe I'll eat my words.
