Hopkins: No Debate, Gonzalez is One and GGG in Top 3

By Radio Rahim

According to former unified middleweight and light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins - there is no debate. He stamps down WBC flyweight champion Roman 'Chocalatito' Gonzalez (44-0, 38KOs) as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport and places IBO/IBF/WBA champion Genandy 'GGG' Golovkin (34-0, 31KOs) within the top three.

Both champions saw action last Saturday night at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Gonzalez retained his belt with a ninth round stoppage of seasoned veteran Brian Viloria. Golovkin put on a show as well, wearing down David Lemieux for an eight round TKO in their middleweight unification.

After Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement last month, Gonzalez was catapulted to the number one spot on most credible pound-for-pound lists. Not everyone agrees. There are a few lists out there which rank Golovkin above Gonzalez.

As a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, who co-promoted the MSG card, Hopkins had ringside view of the action and he was very impressed by the technique of Gonzalez.

"Gonzalez is number one. Triple G is in the top three. But let me tell you something, what I've seen from this guy [Gonzalez]...the combinations and the poise...and he fought a guy who's not an easy catch [in Viloria]. He took his time. he caught punches. I saw the ghost, the rebirth of Alexis Arguello - a guy who keeps his hands up, that stays focused, that continues to put mental pressure on a guy. Triple G does the same thing," Hopkins explained to BoxingScene.com. 

"You keep hitting him with shots and this guy [Gonzalez] continues to keep a stone face, touching you in the ribs, touching you here and there. After a while, if you're not defending that - you start questioning why you're there. And if you start questioning why you're there - it's just a matter of time [before you get stopped]."