Quote Originally Posted by Spicoli View Post
Hopkins, early on 'hated' for his ego, brashness, the masks and the persona. Mr. anti establishment and victim. Throwing Titos flag around didn't help! Ironically went to earn, even if it was begrudgingly, respect of fans for longevity and taking on all comers. Recently the only thing left to hate may have been his style
I have Hops career exactly backwards from most. I loved him when most didn't know who he is and I grew to hate him during the portion that built his legend. What most see as taking on all comers I see as careful picking and choosing. He took on Wright at a weight he didn't belong, Oscar the same, Tito was below his best at middle, where I really turned though was after he told Dawson "beat Johnson and I'll fight you" then when Dawson did that he kept changing his story. Anyone could see Dawson was a bad matchup for him and he didn't care about that belt until the moment Pascal got it and he had the good matchup suddenly Hop jumped. In all Dawson waited more than 3 years and Hop still dicked him around. Old Hop to me was brilliant at finding flaws he could exploit. Young Hop, even with lesser names, was the take all comers guy.

And I can list more and more like never agreeing to a rematch with Roy until he was absolutely positive Roy had nothing left, hell, it's so easy to find fault I'll just stop.