Is Hopkins the best 42+ year old fighter in history?

There have been a lot of great fighters who fought into their 40s.

Sugar Ray Robinson fought until age 44.
Roberto Duran retired at age 50.
Willie Pep retired at 44.

But all those guys were washed-up by the age of 40. They hung on way too long.

Bernard Hopkins is now 42 and is coming off two wins against the light heavyweight champ (Tarver) and one of the best PFP fighters in the world (Winky).

Is Hopkins better right now than any other fighter has ever been at age 42?

The only two I can think of that would be in the discussion are George Foreman and Archie Moore.
Foreman lost to Holyfield at age 42 and won the heavyweight title by KO'ing Moorer at age 45. That was impressive, but I think Hopkins' wins are more impressive.

Moore won the light heavyweight title at age 42 by beating Yvon Durelle. This was impressive, but Durelle wasn't as good as Hopkins' opponents either.

Am I missing any other fighters who could be in the argument? I think Hopkins may be the best 42 year old (or older) fighter in history.

On that performance I'd have to say yes. He looked fresh and as good as he's ever been.

Without a doubt. Actually I was thinking yesterday that you could argue a case for Hopkins being Top 10 of all time now. Nobody else has ever done what he has done.

Foreman won a heavyweight title at 45 but he beat a mediocre champion and lost every round up to his freakishly lucky punch.

Hopkins has beaten the recognised best fighters at 160 and 175 and has done it by outboxing them over 12 rounds, something unheard of in the history of the sport.

If he got his dream and fought Calzaghe at Yankee Stadium next year and won, there would be a case (on paper at least) for him being the greatest fighter of all time.

Consider the following, longest reigning middleweight champion in boxing's history, most middleweight defenses.
Moved up two divisions to win the linear undisputed light heavyweight title.
Finally beats the Ring champion Joe Calzaghe, the most successful 168 lber in boxing history, to become a 3 weight world champ.
Finally to have achieved the following at age 42/43 Hopkins would have to be considered to have the greatest longevity in the history of boxing.

Pretty impressive stats.............

Definitely the best 42 yr old fighter in history. This 42 year old version is still top 5 middleweight of all time with all the others considered at their best age.

Good post sweetpea, cc from me for this one. Holyfield sprang to mind for me straight away but I checked his age etc and he hasn't done what B-Hop has at the same age. If he can do what he wants to, unify the HW division then he would be one to consider but that's a very big if. Hopkins still looks great and uses everything from his experience in his fights.

When i initially saw this post i had a number of fighters spring to mind Moore being a frontrunner, and had an urge to immediatly disagree.
But you no what, on review, it think he is.

Now I think about it, yes he probably is.

He is still in amazing shape at 42. He is still sharp, his hand AND foot speed are very good, as are his reflexes. Most importantly though he still has the stamina to go 12 rounds at a good pace. Pretty amazing really.

My opinion is yes and although I hate his style

He has done more impressive things than anyone at his age.

If I'm even in remotely the kind of shape he is at that age
I'll be impressed.

George Foreman has to be up there....whatever Bilbo says about his fight vs Moorer he still won and he was able to beat top level fighters and do so by KNOCKOUT!!!!

He was only beaten by THE BEST fighters of that era....Holyfield, Morrison,.....Briggs was GIFTED a decision over Big George.

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

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Originally Posted by Gyrokai

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

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Thats why I want to see B Hop v JC.

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Without a doubt. Actually I was thinking yesterday that you could argue a case for Hopkins being Top 10 of all time now. Nobody else has ever done what he has done.

Foreman won a heavyweight title at 45 but he beat a mediocre champion and lost every round up to his freakishly lucky punch.

Hopkins has beaten the recognised best fighters at 160 and 175 and has done it by outboxing them over 12 rounds, something unheard of in the history of the sport.

If he got his dream and fought Calzaghe at Yankee Stadium next year and won, there would be a case (on paper at least) for him being the greatest fighter of all time.

Consider the following, longest reigning middleweight champion in boxing's history, most middleweight defenses.
Moved up two divisions to win the linear undisputed light heavyweight title.
Finally beats the Ring champion Joe Calzaghe, the most successful 168 lber in boxing history, to become a 3 weight world champ.
Finally to have achieved the following at age 42/43 Hopkins would have to be considered to have the greatest longevity in the history of boxing.

Pretty impressive stats.............

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I think your going over the top the greatest of all time if he beats Calzaghe ?? his reign as champion he fought all mediocre opposition except blown up Welterweights Oscar and Tito only actual goodish Middleweight he beat was Howard Eastman even Winky Wright is natural LightMiddleweight and had never fought at Supermiddleweight or Lightheavyweight all of Hopkins best wins are boxers moving way above there natural weight.

CC Ice,I agree to an extent. I rate B Hop,he is a legend but some are going to far. Greatest of all time or even contender for GOAT?!??! I think not. Don't just look at the stats but look at the substance of the stats. People criticise Joe Calzaghe because they don't buy the record,even though he has beaten most of his opponents impressively,crushed his main rival and is unbeaten and unified champ. Obviously Hopkins has fought the better fighters but my point is don't just look at the numbers,look at the guys he has fought too. I don't think they qualify him for GOAT nor top 10-15.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

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Originally Posted by Gyrokai

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

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Thats why I want to see B Hop v JC.

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To be in the condition he is and to be winning fights as he is.....there is probably nobody to match what BHop is right now in his 40's. Hopkins is a freak of nature, but then on the other hand he isnt because he does actually take great care of himself even outside training. His situation is the result of ringsmarts and actually realising boxing is a full time job and not only something you prepare for in camp.

Im still hesitant on wanting to see a B Hop: Calzaghe fight though. Calzaghe is the wrong person to try and continue this streak against. All wrong.

I would prefer a fight with Jones Jr or else a true livebody at light heavyweight.

Yeah but Miles,I want to see JC get the credit he deserves. And I want to see B Hop fight a really live big strong guy like JC. Although I'd like a Jones Junior fight because I love RJJ,I don't think it improves his legacy in any way,shape,or form.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

CC Ice,I agree to an extent. I rate B Hop,he is a legend but some are going to far. Greatest of all time or even contender for GOAT?!??! I think not. Don't just look at the stats but look at the substance of the stats. People criticise Joe Calzaghe because they don't buy the record,even though he has beaten most of his opponents impressively,crushed his main rival and is unbeaten and unified champ. Obviously Hopkins has fought the better fighters but my point is don't just look at the numbers,look at the guys he has fought too. I don't think they qualify him for GOAT nor top 10-15.

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:coolclick: back Gamo i totally agree if you actually look at Hopkins best wins there all from boxers like Tito ect moving way above there natural weight im sorry but Hopkins is nowhere even close to Henry Armstrong Willie Pep or Muhammad Ali hell even Salvador Sanchez who died so young has beaten more atg in there weight class than Hopkins has ever done.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

Yeah but Miles,I want to see JC get the credit he deserves. And I want to see B Hop fight a really live big strong guy like JC. Although I'd like a Jones Junior fight because I love RJJ,I don't think it improves his legacy in any way,shape,or form.

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CC bro. I know exactly where you are coming from. Its a fight that makes a lot of sense, and is good for whoever the winner is. I suppose being a big fan of both fighters leaves me a bit twisted on it all. I dont think BHop can beat Calzaghe at this stage. Hopkins would be crafty and tricky but he couldnt do to Calzaghe what he did to the beefed up Winky.

I would rather he fought another lightheavyweight, and at least then I could go into it supporting BHop all the way and have no issues in my head.

Its an odd predicament, I know! :-\

CC back brother. I see your predicament but I think it would be a good fight,it would get alot of publicity on both sides of the pond and would be great for us fans.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

CC back brother. I see your predicament but I think it would be a good fight,it would get alot of publicity on both sides of the pond and would be great for us fans.

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It would be a good fight and it would generate a mad amount of interest. If the fight were to come off which is a long shot knowing the negotiation tactics of both sides then I could have no complaints. It would have been the choice of both parties.

A weird fight for me though.

If Calzaghe gets past "his next opponent" ;)

... I think Calzaghe Hopkins might actually be entertaining, I think Joe could beat Hopkins.

Hopkins isn't GOAT, but he's certainly knocking on the door to be among THE GOATimes.

......notice Winky Wright had not lost since 1999 HOWEVER this was his first fight at 175 and he is 35 years old.


IMO Winky should never have moved up


Hopkins-Calzaghe would be a GREAT match at 168 or 170....I think Bernard has become a better boxer as the years have gone on. Hopkins-RJJ II would still be a good fight to see

B-Hop cant go on forever unfortunately, I'm hoping he'll actually retire soon as i don't want to witness a fight in which a true boxing legend is in that one fight too many...

i thought he looked old..and should retire...i credited winky's lethargy to the weight and would like to see him back down...

hop on ther other hand is great simply because of his interim reign at MW and beating tarver...not because of his opponents...his main opponents were smaller guys adn oscar looked like he threw the fight off that silly body shot....

B-Hop has the oppertunity for 1 or 2 more paydays and I honestly think he should take them....at least the RJJ and James Toney ones....depending on when James can fight again

The RJJ fight could be interesting and entertaining because of the fact they dislike each other so much.
But i dont think id have the endurance to handle a months build up listening to james toney...i jus couldnt take it

Hopkins is the best 42 year old fighter in history.

He's not even remotely in the discussion of greatest fighter of all-time, and he's not going to enter the discussion just by beating Joe Calzaghe.

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

Hopkins is the best 42 year old fighter in history.

He's not even remotely in the discussion of greatest fighter of all-time, and he's not going to enter the discussion just by beating Joe Calzaghe.

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Say he has 3 fights left. Who would he have to beat to be an atg in your eyes? If he beat Calzaghe, Taylor at 168, and won a alphabet heavy belt would that give him atg status?

Him and Archie Moore. Foreman too. All those guys really beat the clock.

Bernard is great for his age no doubt. But you gotta go with Archie Moore for best fighter after 40. He didn't beat Durelle for the title, he was defending it for like the 8th time or so and was 45 years old. And in that fight he was taking on a 27 year old guy, not a 35 year old guy like Wright AND he fought HARD and won by KO, he didn't win a boring UD like B-hop just did. Moore took on Marciano and knocked him down after this too. And he went rounds with prime Ali when he was 50. Moore is the greatest fighter over 40 ever IMO.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

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Originally Posted by Gyrokai

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

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Thats why I want to see B Hop v JC.

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to be honest clazaghe isnt in his prime anymore, he should fight someone whos really in his prime, rooy jones, lol jk, but really calzaghe isnt in his prime

40+ I'll say---------

1) Hop-- Still lookin sharp in all phases.

2) Moore-- The Ol' Mongoose beat Durelle in a LHW title defense, a draw with Willie Pastrano, & put Marciano down.

3) Foreman-- Was being outboxed by Moorer but the end result is what counts. HW champ @ 45 yrs of age.

I wouldn't try to argue flip flopping these 3 guys in any position to be quite honest. Especially Hop & Moore.

I was never a big fan, but I can't help but be impressed with him. I wouldn't say he is still primed, but IMO he can box at a higher level than any 40+ year old that I have ever witnessed.

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Originally Posted by lb4lb

I was never a big fan, but I can't help but be impressed with him. I wouldn't say he is still primed, but IMO he can box at a higher level than any 40+ year old that I have ever witnessed.

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The word "prime" is a tough word because many people use different definitions. If we are talkin purely physical then a 42 yr old guy is not in his "prime". When u add in the mental aspects then the fighter could be in his "prime".

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Originally Posted by silent assassin

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Originally Posted by lb4lb

I was never a big fan, but I can't help but be impressed with him. I wouldn't say he is still primed, but IMO he can box at a higher level than any 40+ year old that I have ever witnessed.

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The word "prime" is a tough word because many people use different definitions. If we are talkin purely physical then a 42 yr old guy is not in his "prime". When u add in the mental aspects then the fighter could be in his "prime".

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Good point. He probably is mentally stonger than he ever was, but IMO I would have to say that he was the most dominating in the late 90's or early 2000's. Don't get me wrong he has not declined by much as he has found a way to slow down aging.