And personally, I've never found him boring, but technically masterful. We've had the oppurtunity to experience a true modern ATG go through the motions and continue to have success late in his career against very highly rated fighters, one a bit over his optimum weight, but a top 3 P4P fighter no less. History is going to be good to Hopkins... When rating him, we have to take into consideration what 15 rounders would have given an amazing technition like Bernard, and then compare them to close 15 round fights that top rated legends, such as Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler had and what effect they put on the result. The closest thing that comes to mind for me on what Hagler's resume would be like if they banned 15 rounders in the 70's instead of the 80's is that Duran would have won a close decision over Marvin, where Marvin needed the extra 3 rounds to seal the deal on a fight that was his by 2 points on most people's cards... So let's take that and then take what Hopkins would have with 15 rounders and add it in to what he already has in the books: - A tko over Wright last night would have occured in round 14 or so. - A definite finishing off of Jermain Taylor first time around, leaving no need for the fraudulent scorecards or the rematch. - A finishing off of Joppy. - A finishing off of Eastman at about 14. - Already has a KO9 and TKO12 over Trinidad(undefeated) and DLH respectively. - Would have TKO'd Tarver 13 or 14. - Would have a clear win first time around over that Mercado guy, leaving no draw on his record. - Already is the only guy to stop Johnson, but under a 15 round fight, TKO11 looks much more definitive. If this isn't comparable to the other top 15 ATG's, then I don't know what is, because we have to take the era/era comparison into context. His resume is highly underrated, but with time he will be rated where he should, perhaps he even gets one more really significant win before retiring.
Absolutely true. B-Hop has always been a slow starter. Three extra rounds would have made all the difference in the world.
That maybe true, but his career might have also been shorter. Jones would have probably KO'd him also.
Wright was dead tired mate, Hopkins was landing some good shots in the last couple of rounds and that would have continued, those extra rounds make a world of difference and Hops would have gotten a TKO. Eastman was eating bombs from round 8 to 12, give it a couple more, I could see that one being stopped, despite the fact that I agree with you that he has a great chin. Both guys no KOed, they both have great chins, but TKO'd, "stopped", taken too much and would be too whipped to continue. However, Taylor maybe would have been KOed.
I liked the beginning of the post. Hopkins is a legend and his career has been amazing, and i've also never found him boring. Apart from that you say alot of things that are simply wrong but still i like where your heart is at.
Good post, Amsterdam. Sometimes I get tired of Hopkins' antics, like at the weigh-in recently, but there is no denying the man's talent.
Many under appreciate Hopkins career, much of that was due IMO to the loss to Jones early on and RJJ Syndrome afterwrads with the fans and media. I've always admired, respected, and supported B-Hop, the only blemishes in the last 12 years are Taylor who truly did outpoint/out box Hop's. ATG career, which is likely to be punctuated with at least one more big fight be it a Cal vs Kessler winner or perhaps a little revenge with RJJ. IMO, Hop's is easily top 5 AT Middle and I'd have him no less than 3 after Hagler and Monzon. One more big win?? I believe many others would put him top 3 as well.
Flux - I only used the 12 to 15 comparison because the great MW's whom some hold over him had 15 to work with, where as Bernard is a fighter geared for long, tactical fights and would be extremely hard for anyone to beat in a 15 round fight.
I support him being geared to 15 as well. IMO the RJJ and 1st Taylor fight might have had different outcomes in 15 round events.
