Quote Originally Posted by galaxy76
Quote Originally Posted by silent assassin
I disagree. Even if he were to lose it will definitely not be anything close to resembling a beating IMO. He's 42 & has'nt fought in 13 months. If my memory serves me correct he had 21 title defenses in a row & held the belt for 11 years consecutively. Considering these facors & the fact that IMO Winky is a 35 yr old fighter with Hall of Fame credentials in his own right I don't see his legacy being tarnished in the least if he were to lose this fight. A short memory to remember what a guy has accomplished is 1 thing but that would be a total disgarace if it were to remotely become true.
I agree that Hopkins won't take a beating & never said he would but it would definitely affect his standings amongst the greatest fighters of this era! I agree Wright is also a future Hall Of Famer & a lose for Hopkins is not going to be overly critical but in 20 years time we guys are comparing fighters a Hopkins lose may put Wright as one of the best & not Hopkins. That may not necessarily be considered tarnished but it would be a blemish that would affect his overlall standings!
I guess we can agree to disagree on this matter.

I would consider any loss a "blemish". But IMO a loss to another great fighter (Winky) at this stage of the game (42 years old) would'nt "tarnish" B-Hop's overall standing/status. It did'nt hurt Ali's status to lose to Leon Spinks (hardly an all time great) in his later years. And it happened to many other greats late in their careers. Why would it be different for Bernard? The biggest difference IMO would be that most of the other greats lost to average guys & Hop would be losing to A great fighter.

IMO history would remember A loss to Winky for exactly for what it is. A great 42 yr old fighter losing to a great younger guy. B-Hop should'nt be punished for being able to maintain himself as a big time performer at a greater age than most people. He will have to show some age sooner or later. And if u go out on a loss then it's not so bad to go out against a guy as good as Winky.

But again for the record I pick B-Hop to win this fight in a dec.