The knock on Bernard Hopkins

[RozzySean]

Well you can say the exact same about Marvin Hagler.

I also don't buy the excuse with Kelly Pavlik. Pavlik is a naturally bigger man than Hopkins, he actually made Bernard look small in the ring.

It's the same as when Ricky lost to Floyd. It was nothing to do with him fighting at welterweight. Floyd is no bigger than Ricky.

They both got beat because they lost to better boxers.

If Hop could still make 160 he would have beat Pavlik there.

Tito and Oscar I definitely agree with but the weight issue isn't what won him the fight with Pavlik, that dude is huge and SHOULD be fighting at 168.

He won't be able to make 160 for much longer imo. If he can't hack it at 168 or 170 then it's because he a less versatile fighter than Bernard.

You need to have your eyes checked, Baggins. The weight carrying the ring has clearly distorted your vision. Hopkins looked much bigger than Pavlik. Since Pavlik wasn't moving up in weight and plans to go back and defend the MW title, all he did was train and not starve and dry himself out to make weight. Hopkins added at least 10 pounds of muscle working with Mackie before the Tarver fight. At this point, Hopkins is a legit LWH. Pavlik didn't add muscle mass and "move up" to 170 as much as he didn't cut all the way down to his fighting weight. I was amazed at how much BIGGER Hopkins looked than Pavlik.

Also, I don't think anybody doubts that Pavlik is a less diverse and complete fighter than Hopkins. You're pretty much pointing out the obvious.

Pavlik will need to add muscle mass to move up. If he moves up the right way, like Hopkins did, he will have success. If he moves up and just doesn't work as hard to control is weight, ie James Toney, he won't be successful as he lacks the skills of a Toney or McCallum. Those guys could fight fat about their natural weights because of there skills and styles. Pavlik won't have that luxury as his game is power.

Pavlik is only 26. He should be able to make 160 for at least 2 more years if he stays focused.

[RozzySean]

And just to clarify, I'm not saying Pavlik lost because Hopkins was bigger. Your point that Hopkins (and Mayweather) won because they are better is accurate. In the case of Mayweather, both men were the same size, but in the case of this fight, Hopkins was both bigger and the better boxer.