Can Kelly Pavlik become greater than Bernard Hopkins?

[RichCCFC]

Totally different styles but both Middleweight champions, Kelly's style wont allow him to fight for long but a good thing for him is was a champion at 25 compared to Hopkins who was 30 ish at the time.

Do you see Pavlik as a long reigning successful champion?

[xEDDIEx]

some big shoes to fill, but its definately possible

[SkillspayBills]

He has to be a champ for at least 10 years to do so. Sorry to say but he won't be at MW that long to do so, also facing Danny Jacobs could end that at some point.

[Kilrain]

Hell no. Hopkins is a once-in-a-generation fighter, Pavlik would have to LOCK DOWN 160 for the next decade and even then ...just no.

[Scott9945]

Totally different styles but both Middleweight champions, Kelly's style wont allow him to fight for long but a good thing for him is was a champion at 25 compared to Hopkins who was 30 ish at the time.

Do you see Pavlik as a long reigning successful champion?

Pavlik will grow out of that division before he even gets near the number of defenses that Hopkins had. I'd be very surprised if he were still fighting at 160 a year from now.

[Ras44]

Of course. In fact he is well on his way.

Bernard wasn't recognized as a great fighter until he beat Trinidad (a fight I throughy enjoyed, and yes, I am Puertorican). His biggest wins have been against smaller fighters. Lost to Calzaghe because he wouldn't renounce his con ways (he was, in my humble opinion, much stronger and tougher physically and it was evident from the get go), but wouldn't go at it man to man.

His victory over Tarver was very impressive. He was never beat up in the ring.

Pavlik has one thing that Hopkins does not have: he destroys his opposition. Great finisher. Even against beasts like Miranda.

So yes, Pavlik can be greater.

[Pullcounter]

Totally different styles but both Middleweight champions, Kelly's style wont allow him to fight for long but a good thing for him is was a champion at 25 compared to Hopkins who was 30 ish at the time.

Do you see Pavlik as a long reigning successful champion?

pavlik won't be able to do what hopkins did at middleweight.. pavlik will grow out of the division soon and there's good fights for him above middleweight

[Kilrain]

I dont see Pavlik as a fighter with much longevity, to be frank.

Hopkins had self-preservation in mind, he was very skilled defensively and he aged very fine, living a healthy almost Monk-like lifestyle. Most really big punchers don't age very well, they leave themselves open for counters for a start, and we've already seen Pavlik down quite heavily against Taylor (almost stopped really), and their second fight was pretty close also. I like Kelly but I don't see him reigning for years and years, plus as some other poster mentioned he'll probably move up to SMW and thats a risk in itself for a fighter of his style.

[RichCCFC]

Hopkins is a good fighter but who did he beat at Middleweight? He won a vacated belt and beat the likes of Trinidad and De La Hoya.

Pavlik has started his title reign by KOing the guy who beat Bernard twice and also KOing a dangerous challenger.

[GTL]

im glad to see that people argee with me about pavlik having a short career..
i like pavlik, wish him the best.. and i will enjoy it while it lasts