foreman and hopkins

Hopkins because even though Foreman had KO'd Moore he still was getting out punched fairly easy. Hopkins still makes it difficult for the younger fighters.

I guess you could make the case that it is more impressive for a fat, old and slow Foreman to win the title than Hopkins who still seems like he is in great condition (although his stamina has obviously diminished). Foreman looked his age, Hopkins does not. Then again Holyfield looks to be in great shape too. Foreman fought worse opposition but he also fought younger opposition. It'll be interesting to see how Hopkins deals with 26 year old Pavlik at this point.

Hopkins, heavyweights age older than fighters in lower divisions, you have more of a shot at becoming heavyweight champion at age 40 than being light heavyweight champion at the same age because the lower weights require more reflexes and speed, which are normally the first things to go when a fighter gets old. And as Thread Stealer said, Foreman was pretty picky about who he fought and was getting his ass kicked by Moorer until he landed that right hand, Hopkins has fought top contenders and champions in the past couple of years, and every fight he has lost has been either close or controversial, sometimes both, can't say the same for Foreman's losses.

Hopkins is more impressive. In addition to the weight thing mentioned above, Hopkins is also facing better opposition. Foreman was careful in selecting whom he fought. The closest thing to a contender he fought on the way to the title shot was Adilson Rodriguez, and even he had been starched by one punch by Holyfield. After losing to Holyfield, Foreman faced journeyman Jimmy Eliis, supposedly shot (even his manager publically expressed doubt) Alex Stewart, Pierre Coetzer coming off 2 straight stoppage losses, and then lost by a wide margin to Tommy Morrison, before beating Michael Moorer. For the most part, Hopkins since turning 40 has faced nothing but top contenders and champs.