Hopkins peaking between 1987 and 1993

Probably has a steeper learning curve, and might take longer to get to the top.

 

He's not beating all those men, no way, there's probably only 1 or 2 MWs in history that beat all of those men, he could conceivably lose to all 5 of them and become a journeyman

 

:rofl

 

He would have been another Sanderline Williams.


Seriously though, with his longevity Hopkins would have always made his mark at some stage. If he struggled at 160, he could have easily gone on to a weak light heavyweight division to dominate.

 

Laugh but that's how it happens, a lack of success, a lack of fights, inactivity, having to take fights on 1 weeks notice, continually getting on the wrong end of decisions. He would quickly deteriate with those set backs and many potential champs have. Having said all that Hopkins was probably bloody minded enough to comeback and make a late career success out of it

 

Struggles with nunn I think but aside from that I see no reason for him not to have great success. Hopkins at middleweight is one of the finest fighters our planet has seen.

 

I'm not trying to be funny, but do you know what a journeyman is? It's the General forum dichotomy - there's Pac and Floyd, top of the P4P tree, and everyone else is a bum. Not something I'd have expected from you.

 

I can see him losing to Kalambay and Hearns on a stylistic basis. I'd favour him narrowly over the rest.

It's worth pointing out that any one of those fighters would be in the same (or a worse) position if pitted against the rest.

 

I think the Q is do you know what a journeyman is? A journeyman is someone who goes town to town and fights as opponent, ie Glen Johnson

 

WEAK!?

He stands NO chance against Maske!

 

He'd struggle like crazy with Nunn and Graham, but then who wouldn't there was also Eubank making noise around '89 saying he'd beat anyone out there bar Nunn. And Watson a tightly tucked fighter who countered in combinations. And a powerful Benn coming through, too. And I suppose Reggie Johnson and Toney. I think Reggie Johnson's overhand lefts would be effective against Hopkins' height and uprightness.

He'd probably lose to the southpaws and Kalambay and take a while to find range and timing with Eubank. But was too accurate for Benn and Toney, who worked from ring centre - Toney didn't fight many tall guys apart from Nunn (who was schooling him from ring centre) and the shoulder roll defense can be much less effective against a guy punching downwards as Hopkins would be.

I think one guy Hopkins would fear would be Iran Barkley, the guy who had more street cred than Hopkins himself (or Toney for that matter).

I actually think he'd get in on Hearns and take him. I think leading off with long left hooks followed by rights would be key against Eubank for him.