How Does Artur Beterbiev Stack Up Against Other Great 40 Year Olds

You can't fight like a 27 year old physically prime self when you are entering into your 40s. Hopkins and Foreman made changes to their style to suit their age. Pacquiao not so much. Pac never really had the same level of success post 40 like Hopkins and Foreman did, maybe because he didn't change his style to suit his 40s.

Beterbiev doesn't look to be changing his style post 40 either, even though he is still competitive and even dominant at times, but for how much more longer? Perhaps he needs to first accept his physical attributes are on the decline, and then adapt his style like Hopkins and Foreman did if he wishes to stay on top during his 40s.

 

Glen Johnson has only been stopped twice in a fight. Once when he was 45 years old, and the other time was when he was in his late 20s against a late 90s Bernard Hopkins.

We talking about a Glen Johnson who has been in the ring with the likes of a shot Roy Jones Jr, Lucian Bute, Antonio Tarver, George Groves, Clinton Woods, Sven Ottke, Chad Dawson Twice, Allan Green, Carl Froch, Montell Griffin... etc.

None of them could stop him. But Hopkins managed to. Bernard Hopkins fought different when he was younger, had more output, score more knockdowns. Post Trinidad Hopkins was a 36 year old in physical decline and adapted his style to a more savvy one. One with more headbutts, more clinching and more trickery.

 

Nobody could tell this guy is 40 his engine is a low miles the final round was epic him putting the pressure at the end Bivol face was bloody from couple cuts.

 

It's a short list but there's been quality names dropped. Beterbiev is in great company.

 

Do note that Pacquiao competition was better than most 40+ years old today, before they reached that age, so its really hard to compare him. Some started late pro, or retired a long time (Foreman) or fighting once a year etc.