Who was the greater fighter: Hopkins@160 '97-'01 or Mayweather@130 '98-'01?

Agree. Watching the Eastman fight had me thinking Hopkins was over-rated.

 

That's a pretty shortsighted way to looks at it. People are always going to be more blown away by weight jumpers, but you can't simply throw 20 consecutive title defenses under the bus that quickly. No the level of competition wasn't all that impressive, but he still made the weight and got the job done every single time. There's a reason that doesn't happen very often. It's not "easy" to do.

There's no point arguing that Hopkins was ever talented to the degree Floyd is, because he wasn't. What he didn't have in raw talent, he made up for with dedication. I voted for Floyd here, because he was simply spectacular at 130, but the Corrales win is almost exactly on a par with Hopkins demolition of Glen Johnson.

I'm glad watching a post prime Nard fight Eastman helped you "predict" the Taylor fights (a fighter who incidentally, would have lost to the Tito Hopkins fought), but prime Hopkins wasn't "ordinary" at all. He threw every punch in the book with sublime technique, and just ground his opponent down with his strength. Lots of people have forgotten how active he was, and how ridiculously good his left hook was. He'd have done an absolute number on Jermain, it's a shame Taylor didn't come along about five years sooner.

 

Great post. I agree Floyd was more talented but not by much. Remember Floyd was as much of a gym rat as B-Hop was. I think the competation was pretty equal but Hopkins obviously had a longer reign.

Howard Eastman was certainly no bum either. I also think B-Hop was starting to drain a bit after he hit 39-40. It must be rediculously hard to get under 160 when you are 6'1" and in your 40's.

This is a very close call and it could go either way but I think Hopkins work at 160 will be remembered more than Floyd's at 130. 20 defenses put him up there with names like Joe Louis, and Larry Holmes. Quite impressive.

 

Voted for Mayweather.

 

Its not the weight jumping, its the comp. I mean c'mon, Robert Allen 3 times, I dont care if weight jumpers like Pac & Floyd jumped up 2 weight divisions to fight a fighter the calibre of Robert Allen 3 times...its just not great comp, and so is 90% of his "defenses".

The fact that Hopkins hasnt beaten an Elite fighter or a HOF'r of his own size says enough for me. I rate the guy highly for his longevity but competetion wise, he had a streak of laughable fights...if other "legends" fought the same calibre of opponents they would be laughed at. Its as simple as that. That doesnt apply to his last 10 fights or so though.

He may very well have...but my point is he didnt. He didnt fight any elite fighters, of his own size to showcase that "prime". If anything he up'd his comp after everyone decided he was past his prime.

 

PBF easily

 

Are you kidding me. Tell me which elite fighter over the past 15 years has he not fought besides Toney and he was already killing to make 168 when B-Hop became middleweight champion.

Roy Jones Jr. (bigger, ATG)
Glen Johnson (bigger, borderline HoF)
Felix Trinidad-p4p #1 and coming off a KO win over a middleweight beltholder, needed win to unify (ATG)
Joe Calzaghe (bigger, ATG)
Howard Eastman (big middleweight)
Joe Lipsey-beast of a prospect who many thought was gonna dethrone the newly crowned champion
Winky Wright (ATG, and a very big Jr. Middle)
Kelly Pavlik (as big, a huge middlewight, and could very well end up a Hall of Famer)
Antonio Tarver (bigger, HoF'er)
John David Jackson
Syd Vanderpool
Keith Holmes-had to have that win to unify
Jermain Taylor (big middleweight)

His resmue is deep as ****. Which elite fighter has he avoided? You can't mention Chad Dawson because Chad just recently has become elite. No way is B-Hop ducking him.

Sure fighting Robert Allen 3 times and Morrade Hakkar is bad but with as many very good to great fighters he has fought and with him completely cleaning out the division he gets a pass. Remember even Ali had fought the Brian London's, Chuck Wepner's, and Jurgen Blin's as stay busy fights.

 

Ludacris statement. He might have a slight edge but easily? I don't think so.

 

Hopkins by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Mayweather was better than Hopkins period, especially the 130 version.

Better defence, better accuracy, better power p4p, better speed, more exciting.... just a better boxer full stop.

 

you're undecided as to wether or not Arguello would beat Floyd at 130?

Easy pick.

 

Floyd from those dates....floyd was a beast at 130lbs....i got him and alexis 1 and 2..not sure who woulda won a fight at 130 between him and alexis but its clear no fighter at 130lbs touches either of em...from 97-01 bhop had a lot of title defenses and he beat an undefeated 40-0 tito....

For the dates you put i'd give it to floyd though...at 130 he was too big and too fast for any fighter at 130

 

Floyd beats Arguello but loses to Chavez.