Who is the best Light Heavyweight in the world?

[dans]

Calzaghe and Hopkins were ranked above Chad, because they beat him.

Again, we'll probably never know that. Joe is retired and Hopkins didn't want to fight Dawson a year ago so we'll never know.

[Junito-Rulez]

LOL at those who said RJJ.

[Blue Heffner]

I think Dawson would beat Calzaghe 9 out of 10 times.

[THE REED]

LOL at those who said RJJ.

Roy Jones!!!!

[Kris Silver]

Again, we'll probably never know that. Joe is retired and Hopkins didn't want to fight Dawson a year ago so we'll never know.

Oh I thought they fought?

Dude, obviously.

[THE REED]

I would have Dawson over Hopkins if they fought.

[Vivid Intent]

Dawson is a terrible matchup for Hopkins. I would favor Dawson in that fight.

And Hopkins isn't for Dawson? Hopkins has an excellent record against southpaws and would find a way to negate Dawson's strengths like he does against every opponent he faces.

That's lovely for you. I don't.

I agree he's not a great style for him, but neither was Calzaghe.

Is Dawson more experienced than Calzaghe, does he have a higher work rate? Does he chase and press the fight like Calzaghe does and as much? Is he a cleverer more adaptable all round boxer? No, not more so.

Hopkins would actually succeed more in negating his work rate than he did with Joe, and he would bulleye Chad around more than Joe. He's simply be too accurate, defensive, clever, illusive, countering well and confusing Chad.

I agree with Ring having Hopkins as LHW #1.

Most people used to also agree with that just months ago.

He wins some re matches over names he was expected to beat again, and suddenly he's better than Hopkins.

Sorry folks, hype train alert, I like Chad, but he's simply, NOT.

Very good post... Dawson beat a worse version of Johnson than he did last time and all of a sudden he's the best in the division.

Well Hopkins and Joe didn't want any, so we'll never really know. Can't blame Chad for not TRYING to prove himself. Those guys didn't want to fight him so he moved on.

Dawson can't draw flies to **** because most of his fights are like watching paint dry...that's why Calzaghe and Hopkins "didn't want any".

[IMDAZED]

I respect your opinion and this is actually backed up unlike most just going along and voting for whose just won recently, which does happen so often.

You make a really strong case.

Now, I can be honest enough to accept Hopkins nearly got a nod against Calzaghe with that low work rate and lowering his opponents. Making him miss, escaping being caught up too much, countering well, bossing the ring more AT times.

I simply think he does all of these things more with Dawson. In-fact you cannot deny it would be true to some degree, he would lower Dawsons work rate. He would show him a style and some moves he's not dealt with before. Tarver and Johnson are simply way way more predictable than Hopkins. Chad was simply too often without a quick clever answer when losing a round, he just continues rather than adapting much in fight.

I'm sorry but I see it similar to the Calzaghe match, with a shrewder Hopkins still, manipulating his younger opponent, making him miss, throw a lot less, landing quite often as I don't think Chad's terribly difficult to hit if timed well. And coming away with a close decision.

Heck he was only a couple of rounds off doing it to Joe, why the hell couldn't he to Chad whom as good as he is, has less experience, ring savvy, and work rate?

Calzaghe and Hopkins were ranked above Chad, because they beat him.

I don't think using the fight against Calzaghe is a good barometer of Hopkins-Dawson. You bring up workrate as if it's a part of Dawson's game, like it was a Calzaghe. It's not. And there's no evidence he could do that to Chad. Hopkins doesn't lower everyone's workrate.

You also mentioned Dawson being unable to adapt, which is false. What makes you say that? If anything, it's been his opponents who've had difficulty adapting. Some needed two tries.

Finally, you're last sentence seems off. Are we talking in an all-time list? Because as far as I know, Calzaghe is retired. And Hopkins' achievements against LHW's aren't as impressive as Dawson's.

[THE REED]

And Hopkins isn't for Dawson? Hopkins has an excellent record against southpaws and would find a way to negate Dawson's strengths like he does against every opponent he faces.



Very good post... Dawson beat a worse version of Johnson than he did last time and all of a sudden he's the best in the division.



Dawson can't draw flies to **** because most of his fights are like watching paint dry...that's why Calzaghe and Hopkins "didn't want any".

Hopkins did 190k PPV buys against Pavlik and Hopkins-Calzaghe didnt even make PPV... so lets try not to make it seem like Dawson isnt a draw but Hopkins is.

[IMDAZED]

Again, we'll probably never know that. Joe is retired and Hopkins didn't want to fight Dawson a year ago so we'll never know.

Yes, they both turned him down. But the Jones-Hopkins winner will have to face him.