If Hopkins beats Cloud and retires..where would you rank him?

Won't do anything for his resume IMO. It's a solid win against one of the Top LHW's but Cloud is dead average at best.

The greatness of hopkins is his longevity and that he's done what he has done without having exceptional physical attributes. His power is average, his handspeed is average, he has great stamina and a really good chin but he rarely has to depend on his chin because his defensive skill and boxing IQ is so great that he dosen't get hit. He knows what he is doing all the time and he has tremendous discipline. It's hard to like him because his style is boring and he says stupid things but you got to respect him for his skill, knowledge and discipline.

I rank him very high and whatever happens in the Cloud fight won't change where I rank him. I rank fighters but what they do when they are in their prime or close to it. I don't go by what they do at 45 and way pass their prime. As far as I am conerned Hopkins is one of the greatest of all time. Whatever he does now he gets a free pass. Cloud could KO him in the first round and it would not lower my high ranking of him one bit. I think Cloud will beat him but if he beats Cloud he has already done more and better than that so it would not raise him much higher.

right behind calzaghe

Hopkins has done historical as well as inspiring act in and out of the ring. For being a man who had the world against him has defeated almost every trail in his life, and the ones he didn't (Losses, as well as Incarceration) he had prevailed from. From losing his first fight at light-heavy weight, to winning 22 fights in a row to earn a title fight against an undefeated Roy Jones, to lose; and come back again to win a Title now far after. After winning his first title, having 20 title defenses (surpassing Carlos Monzon), and also becomeing the first undisputed middleweight champ since Marvin Hagler. He showed more resilience and longevity after losing his middleweight title to win the light-heavy weight title at 41 against Tarver. Then winning another title at 46 to become oldest man to win a legit title. The fact also through his career, during all his loses he was never KO'ed or a referee felt to intervene to help him. He ask showed great ring generalship and IQ. If he wins against could all it will do is legitimately put him at the top 20 to lace up gloves. His legacy will undoubtedly not be surpassed in the near future.

He's definitely up there now with ATGs. I wish Toney vs Hopkins happened back then.

This fights results has no bearing on where I rate Bernard! Bernard comes in sparring not fighting in all his fights in the so called "second half" of his career! He bores the hell out of me because he looks to steal rounds instead of winning them. The "art form" is defense but you don't win over the public by defense you put people in the seats with offense! Theres a group of boring fighters that have made it to the top tier (Dawson, Pascal, Calzaghe etc) and I personally would not pay to see them perform. I'm not saying Bernard can't fight or win I'm simply saying his preference to "steal" rounds isn't how a high caliber fighter performs. I prefer him in the middleweight division and there he would be a top fifty ranking competitor! Ray.

I'm actually looking forwar to this fight with Cloud. Although cloud got a gift in his last fight I feel he is a decent fighter. This would be a great coute for Hopkins should he beat Cloud by a big margin or impressive fasion. Cloud is atough guy who can punch and fight for 12 rounds. Hopkins could find himself in trouble should he start to tire and take a few shots.

Right up there with the best. A great fighter, as crafty as they come.

Hopkins is already a true boxing legend who has broke records and won championships over and over. Even if he lost it wouldnt effect his legacy but if he wins he just goes out on a high note, History is history it cant be re-written !

He’s had a great 2nd half career but his first half is very shaky for me to have him in the top 30, I have him around 50 or so

Yeah I know. I was a little thrown when Cloud opened as an almost 2/1 favorite.

I agree with this. He'll just be breaking his own record. That's cool, I guess. I do, however, think that he's going to beat Cloud. What I don't know, is if they'll give him the decision unless he's dominant. Most people expect him to beat Cloud, which is different for Hopkins at this point. He's not usually the favorite in recent years.

Hopkins could lose his next 10 fights and we still be remembered as a Top 30 ATG. Period. Respect what the man is doing and what he has done. It will never be done again.

Don't know, I don't think highly of Cloud but it'd be an amazing feature for the old man.

I rank him at one of the greatest of all time. Hes built something we dont see most fighter building today. A legacy! Breaking and making history. This is what the fighters of old has done in their life and careers as a fighter. Who cares what Ring or other organizations will rank him. Hopkins gets respect in and out of the ring. I dont have a rank for him, but i do have in the same pool with some of the greatest fighters thats laced them up! EXCELLENT :fing02:

I think greatest of all time lists are dumb especially outside the top 5-10. Hopkins though belongs in the company of all the boxing greats.

I don't think beating Cloud adds anything. So wherever he's ranked now. I agree with this. He'll just be breaking his own record. That's cool, I guess. I do, however, think that he's going to beat Cloud. What I don't know, is if they'll give him the decision unless he's dominant.

I don't think beating Cloud adds anything. So wherever he's ranked now.

An excellent boxer, example for new generation. Especially outside the ring, after being in prison, he came back to prove first of all for HIMSelf..and only then for those who didn't believe in him. Big respect for him.