should old fighters who are still ranked get a pass?

**-PBP-** · 03-28-2013, 09:30 PM

I don't think so. If you hold a title you have an obligation to fight the top contenders whether your 21 or 56.

**The Ninth Layer** · 03-28-2013, 09:34 PM

I don't know what you mean by giving them a pass. I think a lot of people give them respect for remaining competitive for so long. They are both fighters who have dominated entire weight classes for years at a time. Wladimir has not lost a fight in years, and Hopkins' only recent loss came against Chad Dawson who many regard as within the top 20 p4p. Both men have taken on all willing opposition and come out ahead.

**ИATAS** · 03-28-2013, 09:39 PM

Hopkins has been fighting top opponents for a long ass time now.

**The Gambler1981** · 03-28-2013, 09:42 PM

Their ranking should suffer if it becomes a long term trend, the short run I never care about that~1 or 2 soft fights are just that 1 or 2 soft fights but if it continues on they should be marked down in the present although probably still hold a relatively high spot (top 5).

**JAB5239** · 03-28-2013, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by ИATAS

Hopkins has been fighting top opponents for a long ass time now.

True. But if he were to fight say guys ranked around 20 or 30 would you find that acceptable because of his age even though he was/is still a top ranked contender/champion?

**DoktorSleepless** · 03-28-2013, 09:48 PM

They could do anything they want as long as it isn't on HBO/Showtime if it's a really crappy opponent.

**Barry Halls** · 03-28-2013, 09:55 PM

It's about interesting fights not necessarily rank.
I certainly give Hopkins some slack and probably will Vitali if he keeps fighting.

The problem for Vitali is that in the heavyweight division there's not that many "easier" but interesting fights.

I'm one of those that don't give a crap about alphabet titles though.

**$Bullsfam$** · 03-28-2013, 10:00 PM

I don't know how you can mention Hopkins when he has said he only wants to fight champions.

The Andre Ward fight is irrelevant since Ward hasn't fought at Light Heavyweight yet and if they offered the right price they would fight.

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**$Bullsfam$** · 03-28-2013, 10:03 PM

With Vital the only person u can say he hasn't fought is his brother and Haye. You can't expect a man to fight his brother, and its not his fault Haye keeps ducking him.

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should old fighters who are still ranked get a pass?