I want an insite into the mind of those rating Bernard Hopkins amongst the top 5 P4P

Lacy isn't some Manfredo. He was undefeated WC. Overhyped? Yes. Did I buy it? No, but he was still a prime WC.

 

- especially when you have thrown it at someone for months like I have vs JC fans.

 

It's not on par, it's more impressive due mainly to Lacy. Lacy had about 25 fights and been a pro for 5 years. Joe had 40 and been a pro for what, about 12 years? Not to mention he was a long standing and defending champ. Joe was supposed to win that fight. Hopkins wans't seen as the favorite in his fight vs. Tarver. Quality of opposition is what makes a one sided beating more impressive.

 

Not some Manfredo, but Lacy definately wasn't World Class. He got his (vacant) belt with a close decision against Syd Vanderpool. I don't know how prime Lacy was either. He still has room to improve.

 

Stop it - you are posting my material(on the JC part).

I don't see Tarver as better quality at the time he met Hopkins - not by a longshot. Way past prime, out of focus, out of shape, post acting or whatever pulled him off beat. Hopkins met a shade. JC met an overrated prime WC.

 

Yes, Lacy was green in elite respects. Merely said it due to your comparison with some tier 3 fighter, that you mentioned. And yes he has room for much improvement, but we don't know if he can change or evolve at this point. One thing is for sure - he is not shot. I rate Tarver as shot.

 

Tarver is still more skilled that Lacy, and the size difference should be looked at.

Lacy being undefeated doesn't mean he was in his prime. He still may or may not improve. I'm guess he will. But dude couldn't spell jab if you spotted him the A & the B. Then what? Re-write history? :huh

Saying Lacy was in his prime is the same as overhyping him IMO, which you said you didn't do.

 

I HOPE Lacy does get better. But you never know how one will react to a beat down. He's a good person (from what I've read) and a treat to watch. I hope he recovers.

Tarver may very well be shot. But you don't call someone shot after one bad performance. Sure it's easy to say, "I knew he was shot" all along, but anyone can say a fighter is shot and get made right. Tarver didn't look good at all vs. Mirqui (sp?), but before that, he lost to the best MW's we've seen in ages. If Tarver continues to look lethargic, I can admit he's shot. But I'll give him another fight to prove me wrong before I jump the gun.

Anyway, gotta hit the hay DP. Take it EZ! :thumbsup

 

Tarver was skill once - but in that fight he was a ****ing joke - even more so considering the size difference.

Again, the undefeated statement was in comparison to your tier 3 man. At this point we don't know if Lacy will improve. At 29 its safe to say you aren't shot(when he only had handpicked easy fights(unlike Vargas)). Lacy was a joke as well. I mostly think it was due to JCs superiority than Lacy being limited, though its safe to say that he is that as well. Tarver was just a joke regardless of Hopkins. Hopkins didn't make him look bad, he just was. Or at least thats how I see it.

 

At 36 is safe to say you won't return, especially since he posponed the last fight, because he didn't wanna train.

Was fun, even if I feel my statement was misinterpreted. Sleep well, mate.

 

You guys are way underrating Hopkins

 

A prime BHop I'd just about favour. The one we saw against Winky?
Not a chance.

 

People are downplaying the Tarver fight a little imo but in no way can the Winky Wright win be called great. That was a seniors tour farce of a fight.