Man is Hopkins really an all time great? I use to be a huge Hopkins fan! In his younger days mid 30's. But the more and more I watch him, makes me think his name is not worthy of being mentioned with the all time greats. Think about, 1. he holds the entire fight. 2. He is one of the dirtiest fighters the world as ever seen! 3. He is all ways faking hurt to get points deducted 4. He makes fights really boring 5. And he crises like a ***** every time he loses Before some of you on the forum start bashing me for my thoughts, think about how many times you hear the crowd BOO during his fights. Think about how many times when he fighting, the referee gives him time while he fakes a injury. Many people call him a defensive Master which I strongly disagree with. A defensive master is some one like a prime Winky Wright, Floyd Mayweather, Sweat Pea, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, JAMES TONEY, Andre Ward, Buddy McGirt, and ALi. How can we disrespect these fighters by putting Hopkins punk in his category! Fighters like Mayweather, Sweat Pea, James Toney and etc. makes people missed and clinch when necessary. Hopkins does not fight the first half of anyfight, then he pauls with his jab, he leap in for a punch head first and if he connects or miss, he goes right in to a clinch. Hopkins never stay in the pocket, he will make you miss and clinch. The only think I give him credit for is knowing how to win! But, real boxing, he does not do. He finds everywa to abuse the art to his advantage! He a *****! This content is protected [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W1KFeWja_Q[/ame]
Them 5 flaws do not take away from all of his accomplishments. Eusobio Pedroza fouled constantly at times (cough Juan Laporte) yet is a great/ boderline great at worst (obviously not on the level of Hopkins). Most boxers cry when they lose. His accomplishments make him a great fighter. For me he doesen't have enough top, top wins to make him a say top 40 fighter. But his consistancy makes him special. There is a lot to say for consistancy. Just ask Larry Holmes fans.
It all depends on your criteria of what makes a fighter a atg. Some people class a fighter a atg if he clears out his weight class, others say that a atg is a fighter who produces top performances against top opposition over a long period.
Because I know one rude **** was going to say something stupid, did you watch the video posted. Ok he wins alot of fights, but he abuse the sport. He take the sweet science and make it look sloppy. I blame the referee for not taking points away from him. There are a lot of good fighters who won alot but not no ATG. Hopkins has a fall of fame resume, but not a hall of fame fighter....period. When you think about boxers, great boxers....you think of people like Ali, Forman, Pacman, Mayweather, and etc. Hopkins is not in their category. DO you ever hear kids say....I want to grow up to be a boxer like BHop?
I feel you man, but when I think of ATG, **** all of the political bull ****. I mean there is a lot of fighters who got a lot of wins but are not ATG's. Man to be honest, I dont even have him in my ATG list at all. That is boring to watch a man clearly abuse the rules of boxing to win. Think about the Roy Jones fight. The second fight. BHOP ***** ass fights Roy when he is clearly out his prime, hell Roy just got KO'ed by Green in his previous fight. I guess this was suppose to be revenge. He constantly held Roy and hit him in the back of the head. When Roy hit him back in the head, Hopkins in a grudge match, FAKES a injury and fall on the ground holding his head. The fight was held up for like 4 minutes while the referee deducted a point from Roy. Man that is a disgrace to the sport. FORREAL!!!!!!
Hell yes! Despite Joey Zagz being his PAPÍ, he's still one of the ATG'z. . . However, he'll never be able to truly walk around with his head held high in "THE HOOD" again (that's why he lives in Delaware). . After getting beat, and clowned on/toyed with by a white boy, everytime he goes back to his hood in Philly, lil ass kids walk up to him in the streets, and whisper in his ear: "Joe Calzaghe."
This is what a sports writer said about the Calzaghe vs bhop fight "First of all lets get something out of the way: yes Saturday nights Light Heavyweight title fight between Joe Calzaghe and This content is protected
He's not a top 10 P4P ATG, not even a top 25. . But he's top 50, IMO. When I hear "ATG", I think the best 100 boxers of all time. Cause there's just so many great pugs, over so many fistic eras. . .
Of course. You look at his longevity, accomplishments and consistency and there's no question the man is a living legend. Not to mention a lot of his career defining wins came at an advanced age for the executioner...that in itself is a huge feather in the old mans cap. Hopkins isn't a flashy fighter....no frills, no thrills. But his savvy, intelligence and craft allowed him to beat more talented foes or more powerful foes or faster opponents. He's an over achiever to say the least.