Name the fighters who would beat Hopkins on his best night.

The best version of:
Toney
RJJ
Hearns
Hagler
Eubank:bbb :bbb :bbb

 

I would like to say James Toney. That is my belief. The best Hop and the best Toney at middle. I give JT the very very very slight advantage.

 

Hopkins beats Hagler in my opinion.

But RJJ, Michalczewski, Nunn come to mind instantly, as well as many at LHW such as Bob Foster/Moorer/Spinks. I also would pick Mikkel Kessler on styles alone at 168, but that's extremely arguable I know.

Calzaghe makes a clear favourite at SMW also over Hopkins.

Surprisingly and even though I only marginally rate Michael Nunn, he has a great style to beat Hopkins and would do so very clearly IMO, Nunn's jab would control the bout.

 

I have fixed your question. It is correct now -fullstop-

 

Im sorry to say, but after Jones...Hop didnt just improve, he totally changed the way he fought. Look at him vs Tito as you said. They were not the same fighter.

So if he became a different and obviously BETTER fighter...than how could ANYONE say that Hopkins was in his prime or that that was his best night?

You cant. Hopkins was green...so was Jones as well.

Now you say about record or skills?

First he was 22 - 0 as you pointed out....but you are ignoring that he fought another 28 (and the Jones one...) times against better competition than his first 22.

And his skills? Was Bernard as good defensively? Was he the ring general (easily the best in the game at this) that he was in the Tito fight so to say? Was as smart as he has been since the Jones fight? NO NO AND NO!

I love Hopkins and Jones....and I am telling you...Jones DID NOT BEAT a prime Hopkins, nor was that Hopkins on his best night.

 

I've seen both the Tito fight and the Jones fight, and in all honesty.. the only difference I can see is the difference between Trinidad and Jones. Hopkins gave a textbook performance in both fights, so I don't see what's so different about his ability in either fight. And it's not like Hopkins took Jones too lightly or anything, he was trying and he was trying HARD to beat Jones, but unfortunately Jones was just too good for him.

Jones at his best easily decisions Hopkins at his best.. and at any weightclass, IMO.

 

To me, Leonard is too small to beat Hopkins.

The Sugar Ray Robinson left hook that blasted out
Gene Fulmer would get the same result on Hopkin's chin.

If Hagler shows up mean & motivated he beats Hopkins, but
the Hagler of Duran & Antufermo gets outpointed by Hopkins.

Carlos Monzon, well, he just never loses (cigarettes, booze, women & all).

 

Greb, Ketchel, Papke, Fullmer (maybe) Robinson, La Motta, Monzon, Hagler (Maybe) I also give Thomas Hearns a chance.