I resepct Hopkins immensley

[drh]

No matter what anyone ever says about hopkins, i'll always respect him.

It must be emphasisied that he is going up TWO weight categories, straight to the best in the division.

Win, lose or draw, it's a massive task he's set himself!

Best of luck to hopkins

[DLT]

No matter what anyone ever says about hopkins, i'll always respect him.

It must be emphasisied that he is going up TWO weight categories, straight to the best in the division.

Win, lose or draw, it's a massive task he's set himself!

Best of luck to hopkins

Dude, thats nothing special. He's 41, coming off 2 straight losses, and its supposed to be his last fight so he just went for Tarver.

Are you forgetting that Hopkins was at 160 his whole career fighting bums for the most part while never ever moving up? Then his biggest wins are against guys like Tito who hasnt looked good at 160 and Oscar who was washed up and Tito started at 147 while Oscar started at 130.

I still Hopkins gets too much credit at 160 because he shouldve moved up a long time ago. Anyone can have over 20 defenses if they stay at the same weight and its the weakest divison in boxing.

[GreatestIam]

Dude, thats nothing special. He's 41, coming off 2 straight losses, and its supposed to be his last fight so he just went for Tarver.

Are you forgetting that Hopkins was at 160 his whole career fighting bums for the most part while never ever moving up? Then his biggest wins are against guys like Tito who hasnt looked good at 160 and Oscar who was washed up and Tito started at 147 while Oscar started at 130.

I still Hopkins gets too much credit at 160 because he shouldve moved up a long time ago. Anyone can have over 20 defenses if they stay at the same weight and its the weakest divison in boxing.

Are you serious dude, B_hop is one of the baddest MW's ever and not only dominated the MW division he ruled it, i also would have liked to see him move up in weight but wont hold it against him beczu he didnt. He fought who ever he had to, to prove his dominance and did a pretty damn good job....

[Phantasm]

Dude, thats nothing special. He's 41, coming off 2 straight losses, and its supposed to be his last fight so he just went for Tarver.

Are you forgetting that Hopkins was at 160 his whole career fighting bums for the most part while never ever moving up? Then his biggest wins are against guys like Tito who hasnt looked good at 160 and Oscar who was washed up and Tito started at 147 while Oscar started at 130.

I still Hopkins gets too much credit at 160 because he shouldve moved up a long time ago. Anyone can have over 20 defenses if they stay at the same weight and its the weakest divison in boxing.

So by your way of thinking, Marvin Hagler and Carlos Monzon are overrated, since they never moved up in weight. I sure that you'd agree that you need to rethink your stance there. A fighter doesnt have to move up or down in weight to be seen as one of the greatest of all time. If you want to make that argument when it comes to pound4pound rankings, then that's fine. But you cannot take away from what Hopkins has done, at this or any weight class.

[DLT]

For you last 2 guys, here is my point. I also believe that Hopkins was a beast and wouldve been great no matter what but you cant prove that by staying in a weak division. Hagler and Monzon had big fights and there was no great fighters right above them. The Middleweight division was the glamor spot back then. Not when Hopkins was dominating.

You cant stay at 160 your whole career if your fighting all bums. Name one great fighter he beat? He didnt beat anyone until he was nearly 40 and a bunch of small guys came up there. I dont think him staying at 160 is the same as if Floyd staying at 130 or 135 and having 20 defenses against the top notch talent.

[mECHsLAVE]

Hopkins is a good fighter and a respected MW champion.

BUT, let's not forget WHY he is moving up. Because he was run out of the MW division by Taylor. Tarver is a money figher, not a championship fighter anymore. This is a money-staged fight, where neither is fighting the best opponent available to them. So let's put it in perspective.

Hopkins lost to the two best fighters he fought- Taylor and Jones. Avenged neither. Had a chance to avenge the Jones loss, but refused 5 million for the fight, because he obviously felt he would lose. That's a big red mark on his resume, I feel. His biggest wins were against welters who did next to nothing at MW- Tito and DLH. DLH never even win a fight at 160, if we're keeping it real. Tito beat Jopppy, that's it. You see, Hopkins reigned because there was a vacuum left at 160 when Jones, Toney, etc moved up and others retired. THAT is why he worked so hard to stay at MW. That was a void division, wide-open title vacancies, and has historically been the most celebrated weight class, below HW. Hopkins had a fight with Calzaghe nearly done, but changed his mind last minute. Hopkins had many chances to be "great" but I don't feel he really made it.

Hopkins was a good MW champion, and had a good run against mostly average fighters, and lost to the best fighters he fought. He was good, but not Marvelous.