Is Hopkins the greatest fighter in terms of longevity?

Not with me he wasn't, and he shouldn't have been by anyone who has actually watched Cloud and Hop's last few fights.

If history is 'oldest top five contender' I agree. Title holder means absolutely nothing, zilch.

No, it really wouldn't, again Cleverly is made for Hopkins. Even at this age. Woeful time for the division.

That would be some achievement.

:deal

 

We're now a couple years past the relative point where Moore was retired, period, and Hopkins is still embarrassing top guys in his division. For chrissakes, I watched this fight with my almost 20 year old brother who was still in the womb the first time Hopkins fought for a world title.

 

I made money last night cos I bet on Hopkins. He was just better than 2's whereas cloud was odds on.

In the real world though, in the current landscape, titles are important. Is he the man of the division? No, but he's a quite clear number 2 now.

I actually would favour cleverly. Too much volume for a 48 year old. He's open but he has a decent beard.

 

But would Hopkins still be fighting at his age if he'd had over 200 fights by the age of 44?

No they're not. All they do is reaffirm the next bit.

Yeah, and I've already said I rank this as a fantastic achievement.

I can see what you mean but I still think 'Nard has way too much nous for Clev. Cleverly isn't a very good scalp though, his recent level of competition and amount of fights isn't up to much, his best win is what, above average Murat (and maybe not even that) years ago and Bellew, which was extremely close. He is very youthful and enthusiastic so it'd be a solid win for Hopkins regardless.

I would rather see Hopkins beat Shumenov, if he's going after well-regarded but not actually very good titlists. That's all the options he has sadly, as I've said already it's a pretty barren time for the division.

 

The Krusher is ready to destroy anyone in the division:bbb

 

But as long as fighters aspire to hold those belts their importance will remain.

I had cleverly - Bellew a draw if I remember rightly. I think him v Hopkins could be a good fight.

shumenov has stagnated lately, need to see him back in action sooner rather than later.

I actually agree about how weak the division is but there are fights out there. Dawson, Pascal, Kovalev, Cleverly, Bellew maybe even glen Johnson would pique my interest.

Still can't believe he's doing what he's doing at that age.

 

Pretty much how I see it.

I won't pretend I like Hopkins, but to be doing what he's doing let alone the manner that he's doing it is the stuff that real legends are made out of.

Someone should write a book about Hopkins after he retires, analysing all the little tricks and tactics he used against every one of his opponents past the age of forty, and perhaps linking certain moves to older fighters both to establish a historical connection and to demonstrate to upcoming fighters/trainers the importance of learning from the past.

 

Well he's certainly proof that too many of today's top fighters are under-skilled and over-reliant on "superior athleticism" to get the job done. Cloud, Pascal, Berto, Haye. All of these fighters have horrendous skillsets for the level they're fighting at, but get away with it due to their physical abilities. Fighters like Hopkins are needed to remind everyone of the importance of actually learning and honing your craft, as well as provide an important blueprint for how one can maximise their longevity in this sport, and hence earning potential, long after the reflexes begin to slip.

 

*******...

 

nah, young would confused by all that "punching" and "offense" nonsense hopkins did

 

I can't imagine fighting at 50.

I noticed a colossal difference between 30 and 40. I'm wondering if, by 50, I'll even be able to move right in the ring. What Hopkins' is doing shouldn't be possible.

Again, a YOUNGER Archie Moore was getting his ass handed to him by a green Clay and some Italian gatekeeper. Like 46 years old. To be BEATING a TITLIST at 48 is madness. I still can't wrap my head around it. You're supposed to lose when your reflexes have faded and your joints are deteriorating!

 

:hat

 

He is second only to Archie Moore, and that record is up for grabs in the next year or so.

 

Hopkins longevity in his significantly diminished state and the fact he's still managed to remain relevant in such an eroded incarnation is clear proof what a weak period in boxing this has been recently.He's been able to mostly cherrypick overhyped ordinary or marginally talented fighters since beating Tarver.

Not that he doesn't deserve props for having great longevity and still being able to fight reasonably in his 40s, but i've little doubt he'd have been long retired were the competition stronger.

Want to see a truly impressive performance from an old fighter watch something like Cotton vs Torres.Hopkins has only really had a couple of efforts in half a decade that compare to that.The rest is cherrypicking spoiling against fighters with too little talent to do real damage even if they win.