Hopkins peaking between 1987 and 1993

Oh and McCallum. Difficult one. McCallum could be hit by right hands, and his countering downstairs might be neglected with the way Hopkins leaned into his rights. BUT Hopkins in '97-'98 (the years that would be equiv to say '89-'90 in this fantasy?) was in-range a lot more, and if you're in-range against McCallum there is no fighter in history more gifted at punching (or parrying for that matter).

 

He'd still end up a great, but more of a de la Hoya-ish one, where he wins some, loses some, wins some he should have lost and loses some he should have won in a highly competitive environment.

Personally I wouldn't rank him any lower if he did that, which just means I don't give too much of a **** about his 'defenses' record at middleweight and his opposition there as it stands.

 

Yeah, i agree with that.