Thread: Hopkins 98 vs Hopins 08

Who wins?

Obviously the younger one. He was faster, hit much harder, was just as smart by that point, and could both coutnerpunch and lead.

Originally Posted by Taeth

Obviously the younger one. He was faster, hit much harder, was just as smart by that point, and could both coutnerpunch and lead.

Not as slick or smart he is also coming of he best wins.

I go 08 version the version that beat Johnson would get eaten alive by this version.

It's a good question this one, because although he maybe slightly slower, he is no less cute, even at 43. The slightly diminished speed has not really affected him, as he is not exactly slow anyway.

I'm going with the 1998 version, but there is remarkably little in it.

The 98 version was better, younger etc but the version from last night was Hopkins at his best

Agreed last nights performance was one of his very best but younger version would win.

Without doubt the younger one. He would have destroyed Calzaghe in the old days!

Don't start that debate. Hopkins definitely avoided fighting Joe, granted with bigger money fights against Oscar and legacy fight against Tarver but style wise he would have nightmares against Joe.

The 98 version for certain Bernard Hopkins had amazing stamina back then, and still had the skills to go along with it. The 08 version wouldn't be allowed to take breaks and would fade badly down the stretch, losing quite a wide UD by about 4 points IMO.

Originally Posted by Master

Don't start that debate. Hopkins definitely avoided fighting Joe, granted with bigger money fights against Oscar and legacy fight against Tarver but style wise he would have nightmares against Joe.

I wouldn't say he had nightmares when they did fight so I definitley don't see him having them at 33 year old. I think that had Hopkins had his stamina of old that night against Calzaghe he would have took a close but unanimous decision, so with his obvious younger speed advantage and I believe power too to add to the stamina, he would have took a comfortable win against Calzaghe at 33 year old.

Originally Posted by Master

Don't start that debate. Hopkins definitely avoided fighting Joe, granted with bigger money fights against Oscar and legacy fight against Tarver but style wise he would have nightmares against Joe.

No way, he would have kick Joe's ass. The style matchup is a nightmare for Joe, a guy who can outbox him, and outbrawl him. Hopkins avoided fighting Joe? The guy who would never come to america because he was "afraid of flying". Joe would fight Bernard or Roy because they both were better than him. Joe is a great fighter, but those two are LEGENDS.

Without the RJJtszyu, without his youthful speed or stamina Bernard beat Calzaghe in a close decision, make him young again and he would have beaten JOe quite badly. The skill difference was huge, and for the people who don't think Bernard's speed has fallen quite a bit watch his fight Glen Johnson. He was a hell of a lot faster then he is now.

98 year old Bernard beats 08 year old hopkins.

Originally Posted by Pugilistic

98 year old Bernard beats 08 year old hopkins.

Originally Posted by Taeth

Originally Posted by Master

Don't start that debate. Hopkins definitely avoided fighting Joe, granted with bigger money fights against Oscar and legacy fight against Tarver but style wise he would have nightmares against Joe.

No way, he would have kick Joe's ass. The style matchup is a nightmare for Joe, a guy who can outbox him, and outbrawl him. Hopkins avoided fighting Joe? The guy who would never come to america because he was "afraid of flying". Joe would fight Bernard or Roy because they both were better than him. Joe is a great fighter, but those two are LEGENDS.

Without the RJJtszyu, without his youthful speed or stamina Bernard beat Calzaghe in a close decision, make him young again and he would have beaten JOe quite badly. The skill difference was huge, and for the people who don't think Bernard's speed has fallen quite a bit watch his fight Glen Johnson. He was a hell of a lot faster then he is now.

Hopkins would probably not have "kicked Joe's ass" as you so eloquently put it. Jones Jr and Hopkins are legends and Calzaghe is just "a great fighter"?? Actually break down Hopkins and Jones Jr's resumes and they themselves have plenty of filler too. Hopkins loses to Jones and Jones loses to Glenn Jonhnson. Its all relative. Calzaghe himself has lost to nobody and just because his style displeases you aesthetically or you have some affinity with fighters of a certain style does not make Calzaghe any less of a quality fighter. Calzaghe is in the same league as both of those fighters.

A further point to consider is that Calzaghe himself has evolved as a fighter too. The Calzaghe that beat Eubank is a far different fighter to that who faced Hopkins. Its all relative and there no absolutes. But you write as though there are which is a shortcoming in your posting.

Its not like the 08 version would get blown out as he's still too smart and tough for that but I don't see any reason to think he'd win. He obviously would not eat alive the version that beat Glen Johnson, that's just ridiculous. But that's not the point of this thread though really, its a badly disguised boring yeah Joe thread. FFS Most people thought Joe won a close decision, we'll never know what would have happened if they had met in their primes, I have my opinion on that but we'll never know.