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Now that Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins has won the light-heavyweight title against Antonio Tarver, and done so impressively at the advanced age of forty-one, perhaps it’s time to access his place in middleweight history, especially now that he is retired. It’s been few weeks since he defeated Tarver, and so we’ve had some time to think about his achievements, digest them, and then savor the moments this great boxer gave us in the ring vis-à-vis the other great middleweights
Hopkins won forty-seven bouts, lost four and drew one in a career that spanned eighteen years. At one point, he went undefeated in twenty-six straight fights, and it was during this time that he dominated the division. The Executioner won an alphabet title in 1995 by defeating Sequndo Mercado, a moderately talented boxer. He proceeded to defend that title during the next five years against boxers of various abilities. Antwun Echols, Robert Allen, Glen Johnson and Syd Vanerpool were all capable contenders; the rest were not of the same quality. Some might say that John David Jackson was a quality contender, but in reality, he was worn out and near the end of the line. [details]
Hopkins won forty-seven bouts, lost four and drew one in a career that spanned eighteen years. At one point, he went undefeated in twenty-six straight fights, and it was during this time that he dominated the division. The Executioner won an alphabet title in 1995 by defeating Sequndo Mercado, a moderately talented boxer. He proceeded to defend that title during the next five years against boxers of various abilities. Antwun Echols, Robert Allen, Glen Johnson and Syd Vanerpool were all capable contenders; the rest were not of the same quality. Some might say that John David Jackson was a quality contender, but in reality, he was worn out and near the end of the line. [details]
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