Bernard Hopkins is the all-time greatest fighter beyond age 40

[Scott9945]

Hopkins is the best ever over 40. By a pretty good distance too.

[TheGreatA]

It depends on when you believe Archie Moore was born, 1913 or 1916.

If you believe he was born in 1913 or earlier, Moore could claim wins over Harold Johnson, Joey Maxim, Nino Valdes, Bob Baker, Bobo Olson, Yvon Durelle + losing efforts against Marciano, Patterson and Ali, all past 40....

Not sure how Hopkins' wins over Pavlik, Tarver and Wright measure up to that.

[Mr. Philadel]

If Bernard isn't first he's gotta be the second best after 40. Tarver was the light heavyweight champ. Winky was still up there. Pavlik the middleweight champ. He's not fighting bums.

like some other top fighters we know

[Xyei]

As a Pavlik fan, you shouldn't be wishing for that

You might be right but it's a completely different fight. Anyone who subscribed to the triangle theory should finally have a clue after last night. I think Pavlik will bounce back though. He's fucking young as hell. I still want to see him fight the best anyway. He seemed a bit off and Hopkins was completely on!

[Scott9945]

It depends on when you believe Archie Moore was born, 1913 or 1916.

If you believe he was born in 1913 or earlier, Moore could claim wins over Harold Johnson, Joey Maxim, Nino Valdes, Bob Baker, Bobo Olson, Yvon Durelle + losing efforts against Marciano, Patterson and Ali, all past 40....

Not sure how Hopkins' wins over Pavlik, Tarver and Wright measure up to that.

That's a good point Manchine.

[TintaBoricua]

from the article,

Hopkins’ greatness, though, is such that he has an answer for any strategy anyone may employ. George Foreman won the heavyweight championship when he was 45. Archie Moore captured the light heavyweight belt when he was days shy of his 43rd birthday.

But neither man had the sustained success against high-level opponents that Hopkins has had. Since turning 40, Hopkins is 4-3, but his four wins have been over Howard Eastman, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright and Pavlik. Tarver, Wright and Pavlik were all consensus top-five pound-for-pound when Hopkins routed them.

Precisely. George Foreman winning heavyweight title was good, but that's it. After that, he had so-and-so success continuing to fight past 40. Hell, Morrer was winning the fight (if I remember correctly) before getting clipped.

Hopkins: KO'd Trinidad (schooled him throughout the fight) with a pro-Trinidad crowd.

KO'd DLH in 8

Came back to beat Tarver in a fight few expected him to win.

Beat Wright afterwards.

Now Kelly Pavlik...a prime, undefeated, power-punching, top pound-for-pounder...embarrassed throughout the fight.

Hell, in all of Hopkins' losses he's been competitive, and they four of those five were against undefeated fighters. An undefeated Jones, Jr., an undefeated Jermain Taylor (twice), an undefeated Joe Calzaghe...had B-Hop lost against Pavlik I wouldn't have held it against him...he would've lost to another terrific fighter. This is a huge win for his career, moreso given his age.

I think many more people will be more considerate with Hopkins' decision to continue fighting after an incredible performance such as that one.

And BTW, I had picked Pavlik by split decision...but I'm really happy for B-Hop! That dude's a bad-ass!

[boxingfan405]

Cong**** to BHop. What a great great win for him.

[FUC_U_PAYME]

last night was a great performance by a great fighter.

[Squabbles94806]

SF B A Y A R E A Representative...94806

Yo...Maaaaad respects to Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins.

I wanted Kelly Pavlik to win. But i necessarily didn't wanted Bernard Hopkins to lose.

That was a dope ass fight. Dount count out us old guys.

Hopkins at 43? Can't tell.

He schooled Pavlik. Old school style. Triple O.G

George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins great "Older" fighters.

Watch out. Kelly Pavlik is dope.

Bernard Hopkins didn't K.O. Pavlik not because he couldn't, but because "The Ghost" is that tough.

94806

[larryx]

amen to that