Bernard Hopkins is a Legend

BUMP!! This seals the deal. Hopkins is an ATG!

And here is why, he is the definition of a great fighter. Here is a guy who defended his title 20 times, before losing to a young hungry fighter by two narrow decisions (the first fight I think Hopkins should have received the decision) so he moves up to LHW and beats the undisputed LHW champion of the world (Tarver), and made him look silly. He then beats Winky Wright, a great fighter within in own right. That is pretty dang impressive so far. He has consistently taken on the best fighters available to him. Now the question is, if he beats Calzaghe, will Hopkins be rated as a top 20 ATG? I think he should. I mean his resume speaks for itself. Thoughts? Hopkins should already be a top 20 ATG, However what I will say regarding his defeneses of that middleweight crown, Calzaghe has done the same and still has yet to lose a single fight, yet some how the american public simply seems to ignore those facts and you cant say Calzaghe hasnt fought nobody he has and though they are not the names of DLH or Trinidad, I still think a Prime Lacy is more dangerous than either of those two, and yeah you cant say he has beat someone on Tarvers level but lets face is none of you gave Tarver any credit until Hopkins fought and beat him. the truth is there is so much biasedness in favor of Hopkins that I can care less about his place in history, so what if he beat a weight drained Tarver or got a questionable win over Winky past his prime, this is the first real challenge Hopkins is in and we will see if he passes or fails, he doesnt do well with guys who have speed and boxing skills, ie 2 times with Taylor, and Roy Jones Jr he didnt clearly beat Winky that fight was close, to be honest with you Hopkins is going to get the beating of his life I am almost certain it will be nearly as one sided as the lacy fight was.

Wow you just tried shitting on Hopkins's entire career. Pretty biased post. not that, I wil tell you this...(I'm from NY) ask anyone around here "what was Hopkins greatest win"...all will tell you..."Beating Trinidad". That is what I said. Beating Tarver, Winky, De La Hoya were indeed great accompishments...but The Trinidad fight had more significance because Trinidad was "UNDEFEATED". Now how is that shitting on Hopkins???? Isn't what I just said the truth??

he may be a legend but he lost my respect when he started to use racial slur

Hopkins is in my mind a legend. He fought in the shadows for most of his carrier untill at age 36 when he finally got his shoot to prove how good he is. First outpointing Holmes easy to collect another belt, and after that his biggest masterpice, outclassing and stopping a prime, undefeated, steaming worth self confidence Trinidad. It seams some people forgot how great Trinidad had looked on his way to the Hopkins fight. Stopping Vargas, demolished Joppy like no other fighter had done or has done since. So what if Trinidad wasnt a true middleweight ?? You could say the same for Duran when he fought Hagler, and he was a lightweight that gave Hagler all he could handle. Yes Duran will allways be higher ranked then Trinidad but still, he fought most of his fight at lightweight not welterweight or middleweight. Consider that Hopkins after 36 has beat: Trinidad, Oscar, Tarver and Winky that is what i call greatness. Sure his fights is sometimes boring or very boring but, he still wins. Boring or fun, a win is a win.

hopkins will probs go down in history as a legend and great fighter however It is down to the public if they agree or not personally I think b hop is quite a good fighter and has some good records and stats to is name however I personally feel he is slightly overrated and gets more credit for some fights than he prehaps should.

lol, who has calzaghe fought that would attribute to him being a top 20 ATG?? Absolutely! It takes legendary skills to score a TKO win over Segundo Mercado on your second attempt. Only a real legend can knock out two former Junior Welterweights and when Calzaghe has fought opponents of the calibre of Simon Brown and Andrew Council then maybe he could have a call to call himself great! But only if he moves to America.

'lol, who has calzaghe fought that would attribute to him being a top 20 ATG?? BHOP is his first real test, believe it. I would love to hear this argument.' This was your original comment. Nice edit.

Bernard Hopkins has achieved legendhood by fighting other greats such as Carl Daniels and Howard Eastman. He was robbed against Roy Jones Junior and was beaten by narrow decision twice by a guy who was completely unbeatable apart from when he nearly lost twice to welterweights, once to a junior middleweight and actually lost twice against the first full size middleweight he encountered. Edit: He beat Carl Daniels. Anthony Daniels plays C3PO in Star Wars.

I didn't suggest that he should be in the top 20 ATG, all I did was take your criteria and apply it to Calzaghe. If Calzaghe beats Hopkins and another top fighter then by your logic he has exceeded Hopkins and deserves a place in the ATG list. Unlucky mate.

This almost reads like a description of Calzaghe; 21 title defences, beat a young hungry fighter by UD, moving up to Light Heavy to face 'The Ring' Champion. This poses the question, if Calzaghe wins does he become a top 20 ATG? lol, who has calzaghe fought that would attribute to him being a top 20 ATG?? BHOP is his first real test, believe it. Though him beating Kessler and Lacy was impressive, just not enough to warrant him being a top 20 ATG if he beats Hopkins. I would love to hear this argument.

And here is why, he is the definition of a great fighter. Here is a guy who defended his title 25 times, before losing to a young hungry fighter by two narrow decisions (the first fight I think Hopkins should have received the decision) so he moves up to LHW and beats the undisputed LHW champion of the world (Tarver), and made him look silly. He then beats Winky Wright, a great fighter within in own right. That is pretty dang impressive so far. He has consistently taken on the best fighters available to him. Now the question is, if he beats Calzaghe, will Hopkins be rated as a top 20 ATG? I think he should. I mean his resume speaks for itself. Thoughts? This almost reads like a description of Calzaghe; 21 title defences, beat a young hungry fighter by UD, moving up to Light Heavy to face 'The Ring' Champion. This poses the question, if Calzaghe wins does he become a top 20 ATG?

Sorry about that, I meant 20, edited my post. Was in a hurry when I typed it, im at work with the man standing all over me :)

pffffffffffffffft

And here is why, he is the definition of a great fighter. Here is a guy who defended his title 25 times, before losing to a young hungry fighter by two narrow decisions (the first fight I think Hopkins should have received the decision) so he moves up to LHW and beats the undisputed LHW champion of the world (Tarver), and made him look silly. He then beats Winky Wright, a great fighter within in own right. That is pretty dang impressive so far. He has consistently taken on the best fighters available to him. Now the question is, if he beats Calzaghe, will Hopkins be rated as a top 20 ATG? I think he should. I mean his resume speaks for itself. Thoughts? if he beats calz I would say top 30 for sure.

Dude "NOBODY" ever defended a World Title 25 times!!!! Hopkins greatest wins were against a blown up welter in Trinidad, because Trinidad was undefeated, and a non-challaunt Tarver, who lost to jones Jr. Winky Wright is a densive fighter, making for a boring fight. non the less, Hopkins will be a HOFer. I bet Hopkins will bring his street fighting with Calzaghe, (head butting, and forearms) I don't think BHop beats Calzaghe. Wow you just tried shitting on Hopkins's entire career. Pretty biased post.

You forgot a year.

Bhop defended his title 375 times.

Joe fought at super and Roy accomplished most at 168/175. I'd put Bernard above Toney and even Calzaghe as well.

Joe Louis. (Though I'm not sure if that counts with his second regin too)