If Hopkins beat Dawson, is he the greatest boxer of modern times?

Every great old boxer loses badly in his last effort, Archie Moore and Joe Louis against Rocky Marciano, Ray Robinson against Maxim, Fullmer, Basilio and Giardello, Ali against Holmes and Berbick, Ray Leonard against Norris and Camacho, Pernell Whitaker against Tito Trinidad, Azumah Nelson against Jesse James Leija, Nigel Benn against Steve Collins, Roy Jones Jr against Tarver, Glen Johnson, Green and Lebedev, Holmes against Tyson, Norris against Boudouani, MAB and Morales against Pacquiao, Hoya against Shane, Hopkins, Mayweather and Pacquiao, Shane to Forrest, Winky, Cotto, Mayweather and Pacquiao and so on. But I don't believe Hopkins is gonna grow old overnight and crumble at Dawson's feet.

 

And you called me ignorant? What he lacks in physicality he has gained experience and knowledge. Ones prime is not how good they are physically and I still believe an 04 Hopkins was every bit as good as a 97 Hopkins

 

atsch
http://www.gambling911.com/sports/kelly-pavlik-vs-bernard-hopkins-fight-odds-101808.html

http://www.bettorsworld.com/hopkins-calzaghe.htm

:blood

 

Anyone with half a boxing brain could of picked those odds ..How anyone could make Hopkins and underdog vs Kelly Pavlik is ******ed ,sports books aren't gospel thats why that fight was soooooooooooo one sided !!!


And again how does Vegas make Joe Calzaghe the underdog when he's never traveled outside the US ? Thats more of a media creation ! Sorry but Hopkins had no business being an underdog in any of the 3 fight I mentioned ! Its funny what media hype can do for Vegas Odds !:good

 

He is a true modern great.But even if he beats Dawson there will still be people who refuse to give him credit and back up their arguments with wonderful insights like;"he's a *****"
Win or lose,he's a modern great in my book.And there are far more talented boxers who don't have a fraction of the dedication and willpower that Bernard has.He's proven that hard work and dedication to his craft can at least give Father Time a run for his money.

 

You could make the argument that in the History of Boxing, Bernard Hopkins has accomplished the most, with the least.

 

Sure, IMO Bernard Hopkins is an ATG and cracks the top 50 list quite comftorbly. Look at everyone else that you'd have on your list.

Hopkins was never blessed with amazing athletic ability, he's a good athlete sure but he never had cat like reflexes, or blazing handspeed. He's never possesed one shot Knockout power in his hands.

The man had no Olympic medal, so no exposure and or hype to ensure that he was protected when it came to matchmaking or indeed the decisions in those fights. He got exposure through winning fights and having a predatory business instinct.

Hopkins has had to learn every trick in the book to ensure that he gave himself the greatest chance of being successful, along with his spartan type discipline.

My point is that compared to everyone else on that list, you could argue that Hopkins possesed the least physical attributes, and accomplished as much if not more than some other ATG's.

The most, with the least. If that makes sense.

 

The best Idk. Maybe one of the best, but he'd be much more respected than Floyd and Manny combined. Like someone said, perhaps Dawson is much better than given credit for, but as talented as Dawson maybe, Pascal gave him all sorts of fits. I wonder how Dawson would handle a Ward, Bute, or Dirrell? Dawson still needs to rematch Pascal. Then theres Cloud. I'd actually favor Dawson over all of them maybe except Ward, but one thing is assuming and when they actually fight a different outcome might happen. Just like with Floyd or Manny. They seem unstoppable and have the skills and talent and look like they belong in a different league of their own, but unless they don't face the likes of Marquez for Manny and Martinez for Floyd there will always be doubts about their greatness. First time Dawson faced a prime fighter inawhile and a smaller one at that and even tho I think Dawson might of won had the bout continued, Pascal made him look very beatable for the first half of the fight. Dawson has alot more to lose than Hopkins in the rematch. Hopkins also tends to be much better in rematches so I expect it to make up for that horrid first fight.

 

Agenda's , kettle , pot ..................

Dawson will beat Hopkins handily , im suprised Hopkins took this fight tbh

 

You won't see any Ward fan admitting to that anytime soon, me thinks.

I think Ward would have a tough time developing a robust strategy for a guy who's got similarly good reflexes, is longer, has the ability to put his punches together real well when he shows heart / killer instinct.

A motivated Dawson gives him something to think about, possibly Dawson SD.

Ward gassing... I rewatched Bute-Johnson yesterday, Bute's head and body movement over the first 8 rounds was an improvement over his last few fights IMO. Round 9 onward, Bute opened up... would really like to see how Ward would handle a determined Bute like R10 of the Johnson fight.

 

End thread right here.


Keith

 

Absolutely not for me. The longevity scores him big points where he lacks, though. Like the quality of the fighters he defeated at the time and place he defeated them.