Fights where the result would have been different if the loser was in their prime

[ryanman]

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

A prime Bernard Hopkins had hurtful power, and had very good workrate. He was great in his prime as a boxer/puncher, watch his fight vs Glen Johnson. No way Joe Calzaghe beats that version of Bernard Hopkins IMO.

I see what you're saying Ice. The thing with Calzaghe I think is his physical peak didn't coincide with his 'mental' peak. In terms of mental attributes - strategy, adaptability, response to pressure etc I would say he peaked with Lacy and Kessler. But I would say his physical peak probably came in about 2001-2002 (prior to his more serious hand troubles). If he had kept his original power and combined it with the experience and ring smarts he gained later I can't see any version of B-Hop beating him. I accept its all just conjuncture though.