How can there be any doubt over when Hopkins's prime and peak were???

Like most people, his decline most was most evident to me in his first fight with Taylor. But I'm not in the best position to make an opinion. I became a fan of Hopkins much later, and had no experience of following his career live.

 

I think Hopkins last KO victory being ODLH back in 2004, is a clear indication he wasnt around his prime post '04.

Credit to the man, No alcohol/smoking/drugs aswell as commitment to the game and dedicated training helped him maintain himself into his 40's.

Hopkins in the Glen Johnson was at his peak IMO, that was a schoolage and a TKO.

 

Just goes to show how great he really is. 6 years removed from his prime and he is still beating up the LHW champion of the world.

 

Popkins, I will do you a favor and look at Hopkins career set myself as I'll get it pretty soon and see where he looks his best and worst. He was pretty exciting in his prime but I've heard many knowledgeable posters say that he didn't look to "execute" opponents after the beating he gave Joppy. I don't know the exact start of his prime(95 or 97) but I know it did end pretty much after Joppy. I can't see why people say he was prime against Taylor or at his best in the first Jones fight because he wasn't.

 

I personally rate Hopkins as the best fighter of my generation.
This coming from a guy who used to not like his style because it wasnt as aggressive as i liked. However i learned to appreciate the science and im a sucker for the underdog which Hopkins usually is in most of his big fights.

 

I agree. I just think he knows his limits and won't waste his time trying to finish opponents but if it happens(like in the DLH fight), it happens. It's amazing after all of these years he still has his accuracy though his workrate dropped with the exception being hs fight against Pascal. The body punches he landed on Pascal were beautifully thrown and it's also amazing that he was the aggressor even at 45 though his opponent fought negative.

 

I'd have him behind Mayweather and Pacquiao.

 

Pascal's appalling workrate and stamina, kinda helped Hopkins' cause.

 

Lol watch his fights with Aquino, Glen Johnson, and Baptist. I'm sure you'll like them but hopefully they put a better version of Aquino-Hopkins on youtube as the quality is pretty bad.

 

That's why I said Pascal fought negative as far as workrate is concerned. You're right. It did help Hopkins but who knew he would fight that aggressive anyways.