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As a fan of Hopkins, and having watched almost every fight with him, since he turned pro. Hopkins was a better fighter to me before 2001 (97-00), had much better stamina. When he dominanted and beat Glen Johnson, Hopkins fought at an incredible pace and wore down Johnson.
Sure some of his fights during 95-99, was not thrilling to say the least. But, Hopkins dominanted, and would and should have become a star back then. If he would have gotten a shot at stardom.
To me Hopkins stamina started to go down after the Joppy fight, and buy the time he fought Calzaghe it was to low, in order for Hopkins to dominante.
In the earlie rounds Hopkins looked good and like a prime fighter. But, as the fight progresse, hopkins lack of the stamina he have showed when he was younger started to show.
When hopkins was in his prime, he was not as defensive, and fought not at as low pace as he do today. If you dont see that, then you are really blind.
Hopkins is not shot, not close. But he is not in his prime, past his best, but still very good.
A prime Hopkins would have been able to keep up with Joe in the later rounds, and Joes speed would not have trouble him as much as it did -08.
What Hopkins still at 46, do is simply put it beyond incredible. Still, i tought as most that Hopkins won his last fight, by a couple of points. But, his age has in my eys really started to affect him much more then most perhaps thinks.
Larry Holmes was a top contender, and still very dangerous when he was 41-44. And of course Foreman. But after 45, even those fighters, and any other for that matter starts to loss his skills, speed, stamina and even chin for that matter very fast.
I hope Hopkins doesnt hang around for much longer, losing to contenders and average fighter. That would survive 3-4 rounds, with a prime Hopkins.
Sure some of his fights during 95-99, was not thrilling to say the least. But, Hopkins dominanted, and would and should have become a star back then. If he would have gotten a shot at stardom.
To me Hopkins stamina started to go down after the Joppy fight, and buy the time he fought Calzaghe it was to low, in order for Hopkins to dominante.
In the earlie rounds Hopkins looked good and like a prime fighter. But, as the fight progresse, hopkins lack of the stamina he have showed when he was younger started to show.
When hopkins was in his prime, he was not as defensive, and fought not at as low pace as he do today. If you dont see that, then you are really blind.
Hopkins is not shot, not close. But he is not in his prime, past his best, but still very good.
A prime Hopkins would have been able to keep up with Joe in the later rounds, and Joes speed would not have trouble him as much as it did -08.
What Hopkins still at 46, do is simply put it beyond incredible. Still, i tought as most that Hopkins won his last fight, by a couple of points. But, his age has in my eys really started to affect him much more then most perhaps thinks.
Larry Holmes was a top contender, and still very dangerous when he was 41-44. And of course Foreman. But after 45, even those fighters, and any other for that matter starts to loss his skills, speed, stamina and even chin for that matter very fast.
I hope Hopkins doesnt hang around for much longer, losing to contenders and average fighter. That would survive 3-4 rounds, with a prime Hopkins.
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