Bernard Hopkins is one of the top 5 fighters the past era...the 90's-2000's. He is seen as a master tactician, which he is a highly skilled fighter...not great at everything but good at it all, with a high ring IQ.
For a fighter to be considered a great tactician they have to have shown the ability to adjust to any style. Come Forward aggressive fighters are tailor made for a smart fighter who is a good counterpuncher like Hopkins. What troubles Hopkins is fighters of faster feet, hands, and atleticism with decent technical skills. Fighters who he doesnt hold physical advantages over.
Look at his biggest wins over come forward guys( Cloud, Trinidad, Echols, Pavlik) or physically smaller guys like ( Wright, De La Hoya, Trinidad)
He did defeat Pascal and drew with him, who has exceptional speed and power but is very raw, fights in spurts and didnt have the technique of other fighters of his athleticism that beat Hopkins.
Taylor, Calzaghe, Dawson, and Jones presented him with styles he could no overcome. They were essentially his size and trumped him in speed, activity, and footwork. James Toney is similar not being able to deal with this style even though he has reputed skills and tactics.
For a fighter to be considered a great tactician they have to have shown the ability to adjust to any style. Come Forward aggressive fighters are tailor made for a smart fighter who is a good counterpuncher like Hopkins. What troubles Hopkins is fighters of faster feet, hands, and atleticism with decent technical skills. Fighters who he doesnt hold physical advantages over.
Look at his biggest wins over come forward guys( Cloud, Trinidad, Echols, Pavlik) or physically smaller guys like ( Wright, De La Hoya, Trinidad)
He did defeat Pascal and drew with him, who has exceptional speed and power but is very raw, fights in spurts and didnt have the technique of other fighters of his athleticism that beat Hopkins.
Taylor, Calzaghe, Dawson, and Jones presented him with styles he could no overcome. They were essentially his size and trumped him in speed, activity, and footwork. James Toney is similar not being able to deal with this style even though he has reputed skills and tactics.
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