Seeing that he wasn't exceptional in terms of raw talent but had so much success. Is his style something that can be emulated or is his overall package of ring intelligence, ring savvy, and overall ring awareness something that is mostly a gift? Or can one attain Hopkins' level of intellect if one is dedicated in learning the "sweet science" as much as Hopkins was? Or is it somewhere in between? I ask because if you are a fighter with average abilities, you would give yourself a better chance of winning more fights by fighting this way instead of just trying to outbox another guy who might be more talented, wouldn't you think?
I've seen boxers TRY to emulate his style, but when they do, they just can't. Hopkins is one of a kind, and has the experience to land when he has to. I don't think young fighters should attempt to do something a 42-year old veteran with hundreds of rounds of experience is doing.
Hopkins was an exceptional talent. His balance is as exceptional as any fighter I have ever, ever seen, his timing as as good as all but the very very best. He also has absolutely world class footwork and generalship. These are talents. Try to emulate him without these skills and you will get the **** kicked out of you.
CHEAT AND DON'T GET CAUGHT BABY! nah seriously, he's a seriously skilled geezer, has things in his locker that you don't learn easily.
But shouldn't they? I mean Hopkins does "hit and not be hit" about as well as anyone given his limited talents. He doesn't get hit flush and he lands flush all the time. Problem is he's too inactive. But a younger guy could add Hopkins' style while not being as inactive, wouldn't you think?
Which style? The slow, boring, energy-conserving style of an old man for the past couple years? The more aggressive style he used in younger days? The masterful boxing performance against Trinidad?
I think after eight years of watching "geriatric" Hopkins, a lot of people overlook the fact that he was, in fact, a supreme athletic talent. His style worked in large part because he was an already freakishly strong athlete, who combined that trait with fifteen round stamina. He was never going to dazzle people in the wake of Toney and Jones, but it's incorrect to believe he was somehow "masking" far lesser ability with his style. You want to see what fighting like Bernard gets you without truly world class physical attributes? Watch a Demetrius Hopkins fight.
He does do "hit and not be hit" well. He also does "headbutt, hold, hit on the ref's blindside, and rabbit punch" rather well. As for a younger guy adopting that "style", no, I don't think so. It's about as pleasing to the eye as Touch of **** vs Byrd. The entire reason Hopkins adopted it is because of age. No reason at all for a younger guy to go down that route in my opinion.
Because it's a seriously gay style that nobody enjoys watching. He has very few fans and despite his success will be forgotten more quickly than lesser fighters who managed to capture the public's imagination. At times his tactics border on cheating (his antics against Calzaghe were laughable). What fighter would want to emulate him? There are far better role models for them to base their techniques upon. This doesn't mean that Hopkins is not a fantastic fighter, just that he does very little to inspire up and coming boxers
I think you can't emulate his style because ring intellingence, ring savvy and overall ring awareness is something the comes from natural talent and experience.
I think a lot of you guys are thinking that i'm suggesting his style against Calzaghe. NO, i am not. What he did against Calzaghe was out of desparation as he was running out of gas and held a lot more than he usually did, even against Taylor and Winky. So please don't get that misconception.
this falls under the "Watch what you wish for" category, Hops' style is downright awful to watch - its like filming two turtles trying to fukc and calling it "sexy".