Joe Louis proved that size is overrated.

[paul750]

Billy Conn did very well for awhile but he was 1. bigger and stronger than Hopkins and 2. Quicker than Hopkins. In the end Louis got to him anyways, despite being one of the greatest light heavyweights in history.

Now if Hopkins were in his prime and in tip top form, maybe he'd have a chance against a Maskaev level heavyweight (never at any point did Hopkins have the style to hang with Louis with more than a few rounds- he was no Conn) but at this age, when he takes forever to get started in his fights, he will get blown out early.

I just don't see him having half a chance against Maskaev. Maybe a guy like Byrd or Toney, someone who lacks a heavyweight punch, would be a good opponent for an old Hopkins but Maskaev is one of the hardest hitters in the world at 200+ pounds, and will send Hopkin's head sailing into the press row should this fight be made.

Well Byrd is actually a good example of a naturally smaller guy holding his own in the heavyweight division. Admitidly, Byrd started his heavyweight career early on. As we all know, these heavyweights in todays era are far from great, Roy Jones moved up and beat Ruiz, and an overweight James Toney has held his own. These smaller men can neutralise the the power advantage with their speed and ring savvy, it's been done before, and it will surely happen again.

Also, this nonsense about Conn being stronger etc, is pure hearsay, even if it may be true. Maskeav is a talented heavyweight, with a powerful right hand, but I personally don't buy this nonsense about it being a suicide mission on Hopkins' part. The only heavyweight, in the past seven or eight years, who I believe would have been too dangerous for these smaller guys to take on, was Lennox Lewis. These are calculated risks, not mindless endeavors without the knowledge of not knowing what they're taking on. These heavyweight champions are ''lame ducks'' with the exception of Klitschko, who is lame in another sense.

[potatoes]

Billy Conn did very well for awhile but he was 1. bigger and stronger than Hopkins and 2. Quicker than Hopkins. In the end Louis got to him anyways, despite being one of the greatest light heavyweights in history.

Now if Hopkins were in his prime and in tip top form, maybe he'd have a chance against a Maskaev level heavyweight (never at any point did Hopkins have the style to hang with Louis with more than a few rounds- he was no Conn) but at this age, when he takes forever to get started in his fights, he will get blown out early.

I just don't see him having half a chance against Maskaev. Maybe a guy like Byrd or Toney, someone who lacks a heavyweight punch, would be a good opponent for an old Hopkins but Maskaev is one of the hardest hitters in the world at 200+ pounds, and will send Hopkin's head sailing into the press row should this fight be made.

It is true, Maskaev might just knock Hopkins out of the ring if he hits him............IF! Taylor and Tarver had a problem hitting Hopkins, and they are so much more agile, skilfull and faster than Maskaev.

[Kid Achilles]

But also much smaller. For Tarver or Taylor to hurt him they needed to land clean, flush blows. I bet Maskaev could hurt him through his guard. He's 240 lbs and hits with a good deal of it. Even if he hits glove he's gonna send a jolt through Hopkin's body. If he lands to the body, he will do some serious damage.

Hopkins is a skinny 160 lber moving up in weight for the first time in his life. He's used to fighting smaller opponents, with the lone exceptions being Tarver and Taylor. This isn't Toney who's had years to put on muscle (and a ****load of fat) and get used to being at heavyweight. Who knows if Hopkins will even be able to move very well at 200 lbs.

He needs to answer a lot of questions at heavyweight and Maskaev is a risky venture for his first time in the division. Maskaev is no joke for any middleweight in history to take on, he's a solid heavyweight contender with great power and pretty damn good skills. His only weakness is his chin and I don't think Hopkins has the power to exploit it.

I really think it's close to impossible for him to win against Maskaev. Better chance with Byrd or Toney. If I was Hopkins' friend, I would beg him to think twice about this fight.

[potatoes]

But also much smaller. For Tarver or Taylor to hurt him they needed to land clean, flush blows. I bet Maskaev could hurt him through his guard. He's 240 lbs and hits with a good deal of it. Even if he hits glove he's gonna send a jolt through Hopkin's body. If he lands to the body, he will do some serious damage.

Hopkins is a skinny 160 lber moving up in weight for the first time in his life. He's used to fighting smaller opponents, with the lone exceptions being Tarver and Taylor. This isn't Toney who's had years to put on muscle (and a ****load of fat) and get used to being at heavyweight. Who knows if Hopkins will even be able to move very well at 200 lbs.

He needs to answer a lot of questions at heavyweight and Maskaev is a risky venture for his first time in the division. Maskaev is no joke for any middleweight in history to take on, he's a solid heavyweight contender with great power and pretty damn good skills. His only weakness is his chin and I don't think Hopkins has the power to exploit it.

I really think it's close to impossible for him to win against Maskaev. Better chance with Byrd or Toney. If I was Hopkins' friend, I would beg him to think twice about this fight.

If I was Hopkins friend I would advise him not to gain much weight, just concentrate on speed. Billy Conn gave Joe Louis a boxing lesson for 12 rounds and nearly knocked out Louis in the 12th. Conn lost because he got ****** and decided he could give Louis a slugging lesson as well! Turned out to be a bad idea. It is true that Conn was a better boxer than Hopkins, but Hopkins would not have to deal with Louis's super talent, all he has to do is outpoint very mediocre beltholder who isn't even in the same league as Louis. I see Calzaghe or Kessler as a much bigger risk than Maskaev.

[Abe Attell]

then again, size can matter if the guy that is "big" has some talent

[potatoes]

then again, size can matter if the guy that is "big" has some talent

......or if the small guy is completely shot......

[Abe Attell]

That's because George unloaded cannons on his ass in the first fight and he was never the same


George was also the first, and only person to ever Knockout Frazier