Did I miss something? Or did Hopkins start boxing at an earlier age than Pacquaio?

[champ_kw]

All I hear people say when they try to dismiss Bernard as being a PED user is, "Bernard has dedicated his life to boxing and he doesn't smoke or drink".


Hopkins first pro fight was at 23. Mannys was just a month after his 17th birthday.

I don't recall seeing Manny being a drinker or smoker either. So, how can people sit there and try to use that as an excuse?

Manny has been involved with boxing at a much earlier age than Bernard. So that whole excuse about Bernard having dedicated his life to boxing, doesn't work when Manny dedicated his life to boxing much earlier.

So why does Bernard get a pass again?

Huh???????

[C.J.Mak]

If you pay attention to him, Bernard hopkins always breaks down exactly how and why he was able to beat an opponent.

With that said, I agree it does expose certain guys with an agenda as both Hopkins and Manny circumstances are the same, but it seems that Manny is the only one recieving heat about.

TBH neither are on PED's and there rise to greatest has been attributed to their improved skill set.

Precisely neither one should be accused but it happens, Mayweather did it as a negotiating tactic, Pascal because he was a beaten man who couldn't handle B-Hop.

[Vasyl’s dad]

The PED scandal towards Pac doesn't come from his continued performance, but rather his increase in size and power while not sacrificing much speed. It's not too uncommon to maintain skills as long as he isn't getting beat up. But it is uncommon for him to maintain punching power while moving up in size. BHop was knocking people out at Middleweight. He can't knock anyone out at LHW. However, Pacquiao is knocking people out at JrMW like he was knocking people out at Featherweight.

PED isn't a longevity issue. It's a "where the hell is this power and ability to take a punch coming from?!" issue. It's nearly unprecedented, that's why eyebrows have been raised.

I touched base on this in the thread that got deleted.

This supposed size and increase in power is false. Pac has been weighing in the 140s for years. There was no drastic size increase just as there has been no drastic power increase. Since moving up above 135, he has only one punch KOd Ricky Hatton. DLH, retired on his stool and the Cotto fight was stopped by the ref in the 12th round. The last 3 Manny fights, have gone the distance. You're not seeing an increase in power. You're seeing how he has the hand speed and foot speed advantage over everyone hes faced since moving up beyond 135. Combine that with him only re hydrating a few pounds instead of 10 plus, and you have a very fast and strong fighter at his optimum weight.

And just like in the thread that got deleted, dropping, stopping and KOing opponents as hes moved up, is not unprecedented. We have already seen this done by Roberto Duran, who fought from 118 to 170, and Tommy Hearns, who fought from 147 to 190. They carried their power up as well, and have KO victories in those higher weights.

What is unprecedented is, a 46 year old fighter, winning a championship in dominating fashion.

"But Bernard doesn't use steroids because he dedicated his life to boxing".

Don't even try it pal.

Manny has been a pro since the age of 17. Bernards first pro fight wasn't until he was almost 24.

Just say you have a double standard.