Hopkins: "Pavlik's Win Over Taylor is Hype"

[WHB3]

In fairness to Hopkins, he couldn't fight Pavlik at this stage of his career and he knows it.

For one, making 160 would be a challenge plus why would he step into the ring with him risking a knockout loss? He's better off staying away from someone like that and going after Calzaghe at 168 or 175.

[moofo]

I tell you what I will praise him for.
His discipline to continue to boil down to middleweight from LHW for so long to avoid the heavy hitters at smw and lhw respectively.
Oh and Tarver was never any good really he just caught RJJ at the end of his career.

[kayjay]

I tell you what I will praise him for.
His discipline to continue to boil down to middleweight from LHW for so long to avoid the heavy hitters at smw and lhw respectively.
Oh and Tarver was never any good really he just caught RJJ at the end of his career.

What you say about Tarver is true, but Hopkins didn't have to "boil down." He could have made 154 if he wanted. He was 156 against Oscar if my memory doesn't kid me.

[sonofisis]

I tell you what I will praise him for.
His discipline to continue to boil down to middleweight from LHW for so long to avoid the heavy hitters at smw and lhw respectively.
Oh and Tarver was never any good really he just caught RJJ at the end of his career.

He didn't catch Hopkins at the end of his? As for your previous statements, you are obviously understating his opposition. Joppy, Johnson, Eastman, Allen, Echols, Vanderpool (who almost stopped Lacey before Joe beat him), were all good fighters, notwithstanding DLH and Trinidad. It takes extraordinary discipline to overcome these odds and the pressure of fighter after fighter trying to take your title for 10 years. All of this before moving up in weight and further cementing his legacy. It bewilders me how anybody can imply anything contrary to him deserving him acclaim.

[moofo]

Strange he started his career at Light heavyweight then eh?

[crold1]

Pretty honest interview and I agree with him that Kessler and Calzaghe beat Pavlik.

[Joartcc3]

Great interview, U guys bashing Hopkins for not fighting pavlik is ridiculous!!! Hopkins already made his Legacy at Middleweight. Its the twilight of his carreer. He dosent need to fight a young strong hungry Monster like Pavlik. If he was in his prime, He would Maul Pavlik Just like Trinidad.

Nah. I doubt it. Pavlik will beat his ass just the same. Hopkins isn't shot so he can take this fight. And for all it's worth he couldn't take out Taylor in 24 rounds while Pavlik destroyed Taylor in 7.

[Addison]

I recently got to sit down with Light Heavyweight Champion, Bernard Hopkins. He was his usual honest self, talking about The De La Hoya photo scandal, as well as the future of the middleweight division. He was at Comcast Sports Net, helping to promote the “Fighting City” series of matches recently recorded for broadcast, in which he was a guest analyst. He doesn’t always say what you want to hear, but he always says what he believes, and you have to respect that. [details]

Nice interview. Interesting stuff.

[mrpain81]

A few blown up welters and robert allen 3 times helped those numbers along for the 20 defences.
Just be honest to yourself the guy had a lucky run in History without meeting anyone like Hagler or Monzon or Hearns etc....
The one top middleweight he did meet beat him and that was RJJ.
Fortunately for Hopkins RJJ went looking for better opposition up the ladder.
I keep telling people not to believe the Hype but they won't listen.

Hopkins career defining moments?
Tell me them with a straight face that he is worhty of his accolades.

Your reaching a bit arent you? Hopkins cleaned out the Division and beat all the top contenders, Unified the belts,Knocked out two first ballot future HOF's. Ofcourse he dident fight anyone Like Hagler and Monson. Those guys are ussually ranked 1,2 In the whole history of the middleweight division. U belitle hopkins yet praise Monzon. Monzons biggest fight was agaist blown up Welterweight mantequilla Napoles. I guess Nino Benvenuti and Blown up Welter past his best Griffith, Make Hopkins look not worthy?

[mrpain81]

Nah. I doubt it. Pavlik will beat his ass just the same. Hopkins isn't shot so he can take this fight. And for all it's worth he couldn't take out Taylor in 24 rounds while Pavlik destroyed Taylor in 7.

Pavlik fought a great fight and deserves alot of praise, But please dont say that he would Ko hopkins when nobody else has been able to do it. Hopkins is a Legend, wheather u like him or not.