Quote Originally Posted by JazMerkin View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
Hold up.

Where was Pascal rated P4P before this fight? He certainly wasn't top 10. MOST people seem to believe Hopkins was "robbed" against him first time. Hopkin's was the betting FAVOURITE. So he jumps in the top 3 by beating someone he already beat?

Where did FRoch get rated P4P after beating Pascal?

Seems like sentimentality to a geriatric. Fact.
I agree with that rationale, but Pascal was actually the betting favourite for this one. I don't know why, anyone who saw the first fight would've almost certainly have fancied Hopkins again, but he wasn't the favourite.

That said, this win in no way puts him at 2 or 3. It's supposed to be a take on who is the best fighter on the planet regardless of weight. Age & lineal titles play little role, in fact even inactivity shouldn't, as it's originally not supposed to be the 'what have you done lately' popularity contest it's become. It seems to have become some kind of bizarre division of its own.
I think top 3 is fair. The criticisms you are levelling at Hopkins could just as easily be aimed at Martinez.

B Hops resume over last few years show huge upset wins over Taver, Pavlik and Pascal, plus wins over Winky Wright and Roy Jones, along with a draw to Pascal in which most thought he won, and a very close defeat to Calzaghe, again a fight many thought he won.

Contrast that with Martinez who won and lost to Paul Williams, beat Pavlik, drew with Kermit Cintron in a fight we all thought he should have won, and beat some decent little known light middle last time .out.

I would say even discarding the age factor Hopkins resume is better than Martinez. He beat Pavlik and.ruined him, beat two linear champs at 175 and in Calzaghe lost to a better fighter than Martinez has ever faced.

He's above Sergio for me on merit nothing to do with sentimentality over his age...