Hopkins has not defeated a world class fighter at MW

After arguing about it in another thread, i felt the erge to start a new thread..

Bernard Hopkins, as great as he is, has never fought a world class fighter, who were at the best when facing him or at his best weight..

The first arguable elite contender John David Jackson had been decisioned by Abdullah Rahman (9-6) in his latest fight and had not fought any one of note for more than two years.

Glen Johnson is great now, but was far from it, then.. He didn't beat any one of note before Hopkins and was nothing after. He went 4-6 in his next 10, including decision losses vs. Merqui Sosa, Joseph Kiwanuka and Silvio Branco.

Simon Brown was as shot as can be when he faced him.

Robert Allen had lost in his only step up, by KO vs Brian Barbosa and had not defeated anyone good.

Antwun Echols was legitimate, but a draw vs Eric Lucas, a decision loss vs Chris Johnson and a knockout against Brian Barbosa does not make one world class..

Syd Vanderpool was possibly legitimate but who has he ever beat? Glen Johnson was nothing when he defeated him and a win against Tito Mendoza does not make one world class either.

Keith Holmes was another legit contender, but never really won against anyone of note, except Richie Woodhall. He had trouble with Andrew Council and was 1-1 against Hasine Cherifi, so no world class there.

Felix Trinidad was a blown up WW, who never really did anything but defeat William Joppy ay MW. Not world class at MW.

Carl Daniels was 2-2 against fighters who could fight back. His tough UD against Brian Barbosa was his claim to world class? Never did anything afterwards.

Morade Hakkar got a title shot by going 30-2 agasint bums and then 1-1 against Christian Sanavia.. not World class.

William Joppy defeated good fighters in Julio Cesar Green (who also beat him), Fernando Zuniga and Howard Eastman ,but was never world class, or near it.

Oscar De La Hoya had done squad at MW, but win a very controversial decision against Felix Sturm who is very overrated.. No world class MW.

Howard Eastman was a legit contender, but does not have a win to prove himself as world class. He was decisioned by William Joppy and after Hopkins, he lost against Arthur Abraham, Edison Miranda, Wayne Elcock and John Duddy. Not world class.

So, what do you think? Am i not right?

 

Who at middleweight was available that was world class when Hopkins was king ???????

 

That's not my point, but here you go:

Winky Wright

 

I always said it's Hopkins longevity and achievements at the weight that make him great (albeit too highly ranked on ATG lists)

Ironic really, considering Joe's achievements are of the same ilk. They are not worlds apart as people would have you believe

 

Agreed. I think that Calzaghes resume is above Hopkins'.

 

They almost mirror each other ..

 

Yeah but he wasn't a natrual middle weight to begin with ..Thats not saying much !

 

Winky-Wright was a nothing win. He looked ridiculous at 170. He was so sluggish, his footwork was horrific and Hopkins old manned him for 12 rounds. Quite unimpressive. It was like two old grandads battling it out

I give him more credit for beating Howard Eastman. He was B class at MW. Winky at LHW is C-

 

Agreed, but i don't think anyone has said otherwise.

 

I believe that he should had moved up to SMW or LHW and forgot about that record. Because have the people he beat were bums. I hate Bernard the only people he beat were Tito and Hoya blown up, Winky Bblown up, and Mason Dixon who wanted to be a movie star and never looked the same since Jones 2, because that all he ever wanted to accomplish.

 

Nope, just saw his name crop up

Believe it or not, some people do have that down as a credible win. Name recognition only I assume

 

thought i had posted that twice, weird..

you are right about that, so ridiculous.

 

i don't wanna burst your bubble but if Hopkins had beaten Winky Wright at 160 wouldn't you simply say his best was at 154.

Also Johnson was 32-0 when he met Hopkins and his shortcomings that followed the Hopkins fight might be more related to the massive beating that he took than his lack of ability.

 

Hopkin's resume has always been a bit flimsy-as written about mant time on this board.

 

Hopkins and Calzaghe beat everyone put in front of them neither division was above the other.Unfortunatly for them they didn't have the luxary of having solid op in their divisions !