Bernard "the Executioner" Hopkins..??

Question

1. do you think he is the best middleweight in early 90's and early 2000's..??

2. where do you rank him to the middleweights of all time..??

3. who will win in his fight with Joe Calzaghe..??

Answer 1

The early 90's had Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney as middle weights as well as Gerald McClellan at 154 (but neither Roy or James could hold the weight).  Once Bernard did win the title, he kept it, and his staying power as champion as much as anything else elevated him above most historical middle weights.   It took Bernard two fights with a peaking and prime Mercado, the first a draw after getting off the canvass twice before Hopkins got the title, and once he had it, he kept it.

Bernard stayed at 160 and held the title for ten years taking on all comers.  The fact that Hopkins stayed in condition and showed the discipline needed to remain champion all that time is his most significant accomplishment as a boxer.  The Tarver victory at 175 and the light heavyweight championship it brought was window dressing on an already hall of fame career.  Hopkins started his professional career at 175 with a loss, so he in effect went full circle and even redeemed that minor flaw.

What ever "greatness" is in boxing, Bernard Hopkins achieved a measure of it during his professional career.

1.  I consider both James Toney and Roy Jones Jr, as well as Gerald McClellan equal to or better than Hopkins in the late 80's to early 90's.  But based of their careers, Hopkins was a better middle weight than all three, and clearly the dominate force in the 160 lb. division from 1995 thru 2005.  I consider Jones and Toney better boxers than Hopkins, but not better Middle Weights.  

2. I rank Hopkins very high on my all time middle weight list, with only Ray Robinson, Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon and Bob Fitzsimmons rated higher in the top ten.  

3.  I think at 43 age will be the deciding factor and Joe Calzaghe will out work Bernard and win a decision.  If Bernard some how beats Calzaghe, which is unlikely, it will be a major upset.

Answer 2

Joe Calzaghe will win

Answer 3

1. Despite the loss to Roy, he was the best during that time - Roy was the fighter of the decade, but limited time at 160, BHop beat every middleweight out there.

2. He is probably somewhere in the top 4 of all-time by generally accepted criteria: 1. Hagler, 2. Robinson, 3. Monzon, 4. Hopkins (could make the argument that he was ahead of Monzon - both legacies based on longevity)

3. I've been going back and forth on this, and at this point I would actually pick Hopkins to win - Calzaghe has never been in with anyone nearly as crafty and experienced as Hopkins, and I don't think Calzaghe's physical advantages are as pronouced as people think.  If Hopkins can make Calzaghe think enough to slow down his work rate/pace, I see Hopkins winning a close decision.

Answer 4

he is the second best middleweight from the '90's as roy jones beat him.

but having made 20 defences of his titles, he is up there with the greats  ( hagler, monxon, robinson )

calzaghe will win when they fight in april as b-hop is not the great fighter he once was.

Answer 5

1) Yes 2) I'll feel more comfortable answering that question after his upcoming fight, but he is up there with the all time greats as it is 3) Hopkins wins by UD or very late-round TKO.

Answer 6

B-Hop was the best in his time. He is in the top five of all time best boxers for his weight class. He is older now and lost his edge. Calzaghe will annihilate him.

Answer 7

1.) Considering he lost to RJJ in '93, I'm going to have to say no to the 90's. Early 2000's, yes.  

2.) He's probably top 5 or 6 middleweights of all time.  

3.) Calzaghe

Answer 8

1) Yes

2) I'd say he's 5th behind 1) Joe Calzaghe 2) Ray Robinson 3) Marvin Hagler 4) Thomas Hearns

3) Calzaghe by points

Answer 9

1, Yes he was, would of been interesting if Jones Jr had stayed down at Middle though.

2, Definite top ten, probably not going to be ranked above the likes of Hagler, Robinson and Monzon but he will have a shout of being a top 5 Middleweight of all time when we look back on his career in a few years.

3, I would say Calzaghe should win this but it is going to be a lot closer than people think, B-Hop has more ring savvy than any other boxer that it is fighting right now with Winky and Floyd right behind him. If anyone can figure out a way to beat Joe it will be Hopkins.