Hopkins and Over-40 Greats

[SorceryatCaesar]

Where would it rank among the all-time over-40 boxing accomplishments if Hopkins won?

There are only five fighters in history who have scored what could arguably be termed "great" wins after the age of 40: George Foreman (who won the heavyweight title from Michael Moorer), Archie Moore (who recovered from four knockdowns to defend the light heavyweight throne against Yvon Durelle), Larry Holmes (who upset a prime Ray Mercer), Bob Fitzsimmons (who captured the light heavy title from George Gardner) and Hopkins (who took the 175-pound championship from Antonio Tarver).

[Southpaw Stinger]

Holyfield would kill to be involed in this.

[LondonRingRules]

Where would it rank among the all-time over-40 boxing accomplishments if Hopkins won?

There are only five fighters in history who have scored what could arguably be termed "great" wins after the age of 40: George Foreman (who won the heavyweight title from Michael Moorer), Archie Moore (who recovered from four knockdowns to defend the light heavyweight throne against Yvon Durelle), Larry Holmes (who upset a prime Ray Mercer), Bob Fitzsimmons (who captured the light heavy title from George Gardner) and Hopkins (who took the 175-pound championship from Antonio Tarver).

First off, George's and Arch's post 40 accomplishments blow the socks off the others. Put George a clear 1 and then Arch a clear 2.

Fitz is a clear #3 as that was a credible fighter, Gardner he beat for the undisputed after many hard miles as a middleweight sized heavy. He was done after this though, though he managed an ND against O'brien in his next fight, the mojo was gone and the down hill short and savage.

Big Lar well down at #4. He got a gift against Mercer who needed to be cracked for a complete lack of respect towards Lar and boxing during the fight and the willingness to use his physical dominance to coast. Mercer blew a lot of talent for no particular reason other than there was nobody to set him straight I guess. Lar did nothing better during the fight and Mercer almost crushed his throat midrounds with a one handed guillatine choke, supreme payback when Kimbo clowned Mercer using a similar move years later.

Lar butted Holy open in which distracted Holy for the rest of the fight and seems to be where Holy started to think about butt techniques.
Still, going the distance and fighting to age 50 and hanging tough earns some props I refused to give Big Lar during his overrated career. He was not Big George, scattering heavies like bowling pins, just a tough clever guy hanging on the ropes for dear life on shot 40 yr old legs.

Poppy also has just made himself tough post 40, a starving man's Mongoose. Like Lar at this age, Poppy lacks an offensive threat and is primarily a tough spoiler. His puppy dog yelping on all fours against Calzaghe pitiable. He barely held his own against the old 154 champ, Winky, and needed one of his patented headbutts to turn it around.

He did beat Tarver legit, but really, Tarver always prone to getting outboxed and or showing up out of shape his whole career and damn near as old as Poppy. Poppy fixin' to go splotto against Pavlik as those white boy comments to be whippin' him for the rest of his life. I could easily flip him with Lar.

Oliver McCall beating Sam in Turkey rates higher to me than Lar and Poppy for one win. Doubt he can do much more as his legs and reflexes looked shot against Gomez and all that coke is taking it's toll. Like Tarver, he was always hot and cold, but unlike Tarver, McCall seems mentally disturbed which makes his achievements and longevity more amazing.

Keep an eye on Glen Johnson. Thought he beat Dawson handily, and if he stays in shape, he could win his title back in his 40s. He's still dynamic offensively and I'd love for him to tear into Poppy before retirement. Johnson's my man for all seasons and hope to see him get some justice for a fine underrated career...

[riera]

Hopkins has uite a few tonight. I have always said he is an ATG simply for the fact that he competes at such a high level at such a mature age. Even fi you do not agree with me that he was robbed by Calslappy, then you definitely saw a very close and competitive match up!!! Even if he could not beat other middleweights prime V prime as some of his critics and so called 'purists' with rose tinted glasses say, he has the record for most title defences and has become a two weight linear world champion after 40. The best thing is, it isn't even over! B-Hop is a machine. We salute you!