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1996
Title Vacant
1. Bernard Hopkins
2. Keith Holmes
3. William Joppy
4. Lonnie Bradley
5. Jorge Fernando Castro
6. Quincy Taylor
7. Dana Rosenblatt
8. Otis Grant
9. John David Jackson
10. Robert McCracken
2014
Sergio Gabriel Martinez, Champion
1. Daniel Geale
2. Felix Sturm
3. Gennady Golovkin
4. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
5. Dmitry Pirog
6. Matthew Macklin
7. Peter Quillin
8. Martin Murray
9. Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam
10. Grzegorz Proksa
Idea stolen from @SlimTrae
You put 2014 for the second list.
In 2012 I guess Martinez was still on top and GGG hadn't really fought anyone, but in hindsight I know who I would have picked there.
Hopkins is the standout in 96, rest of the pack is just solid, stacks up pretty evenly with 2012 at a glance. Crazy how little depth there has been in the division compared to that 1992 pack in another thread.
LOL! Actually contemplated it, but felt most wouldnt know Hop's competitors. Same with 1980 per HW division. Kinda bland.
Hopkins tears up a prime Martinez as well as the current. Sergio's hands below his waist is an invite for a scientific fighter like Hop.
Hop-Quillen might be a chess match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScRv9xzLeW8 Hop in 1996- retired 25(20ko)-0 Joe Lipsey who had a solid punch, decent chin. This is Hop when he was called "The Terror" Notice as a young fighter he took alot of chances. Jovin Mercardo was being touted- & Hop took this fight on (4) hours notice. Fuck four weeks; His intensity (then @ SMW) was fierce. 1:50 in Jovin tries to initiate a (clinch) to which THIS VERSION of Hopkins couldnt stand to be clinched, let alone do it himself. This version of Hop up till 1996 smokes the whole 2012 list. Quillen & GGG not experienced enuff in 2012 to handle the tenacity of "The TError" Hopkins. Enjoy a rare (clinchless) Hop who threw punches in bunches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga7C8p1FLGM
Both clips: a work of art. 1996 Bhop smokes 2012-2016. John David Jackson vs Peter Quillen would've been a solid match. 50/50 on who'd win.
Hopkins was very good looking at those clips. Really did not appreciate him at the time but Roy Jones did outbox him but he was exceptional.