Is Hopkins the best 42+ year old fighter in history?

[SweetPea]

There have been a lot of great fighters who fought into their 40s.

Sugar Ray Robinson fought until age 44.
Roberto Duran retired at age 50.
Willie Pep retired at 44.

But all those guys were washed-up by the age of 40. They hung on way too long.

Bernard Hopkins is now 42 and is coming off two wins against the light heavyweight champ (Tarver) and one of the best PFP fighters in the world (Winky).

Is Hopkins better right now than any other fighter has ever been at age 42?

The only two I can think of that would be in the discussion are George Foreman and Archie Moore.
Foreman lost to Holyfield at age 42 and won the heavyweight title by KO'ing Moorer at age 45. That was impressive, but I think Hopkins' wins are more impressive.

Moore won the light heavyweight title at age 42 by beating Yvon Durelle. This was impressive, but Durelle wasn't as good as Hopkins' opponents either.

Am I missing any other fighters who could be in the argument? I think Hopkins may be the best 42 year old (or older) fighter in history.

[bzkfn]

On that performance I'd have to say yes. He looked fresh and as good as he's ever been.

[Kev]

Without a doubt. Actually I was thinking yesterday that you could argue a case for Hopkins being Top 10 of all time now. Nobody else has ever done what he has done.

Foreman won a heavyweight title at 45 but he beat a mediocre champion and lost every round up to his freakishly lucky punch.

Hopkins has beaten the recognised best fighters at 160 and 175 and has done it by outboxing them over 12 rounds, something unheard of in the history of the sport.

If he got his dream and fought Calzaghe at Yankee Stadium next year and won, there would be a case (on paper at least) for him being the greatest fighter of all time.

Consider the following, longest reigning middleweight champion in boxing's history, most middleweight defenses.
Moved up two divisions to win the linear undisputed light heavyweight title.
Finally beats the Ring champion Joe Calzaghe, the most successful 168 lber in boxing history, to become a 3 weight world champ.
Finally to have achieved the following at age 42/43 Hopkins would have to be considered to have the greatest longevity in the history of boxing.

Pretty impressive stats.............

[Bomp]

Definitely the best 42 yr old fighter in history. This 42 year old version is still top 5 middleweight of all time with all the others considered at their best age.

[bikersk]

Good post sweetpea, cc from me for this one. Holyfield sprang to mind for me straight away but I checked his age etc and he hasn't done what B-Hop has at the same age. If he can do what he wants to, unify the HW division then he would be one to consider but that's a very big if. Hopkins still looks great and uses everything from his experience in his fights.

[donnydarkoIRL]

When i initially saw this post i had a number of fighters spring to mind Moore being a frontrunner, and had an urge to immediatly disagree.
But you no what, on review, it think he is.

[Kel]

Now I think about it, yes he probably is.

He is still in amazing shape at 42. He is still sharp, his hand AND foot speed are very good, as are his reflexes. Most importantly though he still has the stamina to go 12 rounds at a good pace. Pretty amazing really.

[killersheep]

My opinion is yes and although I hate his style

He has done more impressive things than anyone at his age.

If I'm even in remotely the kind of shape he is at that age
I'll be impressed.

[El Kabong]

George Foreman has to be up there....whatever Bilbo says about his fight vs Moorer he still won and he was able to beat top level fighters and do so by KNOCKOUT!!!!

He was only beaten by THE BEST fighters of that era....Holyfield, Morrison,.....Briggs was GIFTED a decision over Big George.

[gyrokai]

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

[El Gamo]

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

Thats why I want to see B Hop v JC.

[ICB]

Without a doubt. Actually I was thinking yesterday that you could argue a case for Hopkins being Top 10 of all time now. Nobody else has ever done what he has done.

Foreman won a heavyweight title at 45 but he beat a mediocre champion and lost every round up to his freakishly lucky punch.

Hopkins has beaten the recognised best fighters at 160 and 175 and has done it by outboxing them over 12 rounds, something unheard of in the history of the sport.

If he got his dream and fought Calzaghe at Yankee Stadium next year and won, there would be a case (on paper at least) for him being the greatest fighter of all time.

Consider the following, longest reigning middleweight champion in boxing's history, most middleweight defenses.
Moved up two divisions to win the linear undisputed light heavyweight title.
Finally beats the Ring champion Joe Calzaghe, the most successful 168 lber in boxing history, to become a 3 weight world champ.
Finally to have achieved the following at age 42/43 Hopkins would have to be considered to have the greatest longevity in the history of boxing.

Pretty impressive stats.............

I think your going over the top the greatest of all time if he beats Calzaghe ?? his reign as champion he fought all mediocre opposition except blown up Welterweights Oscar and Tito only actual goodish Middleweight he beat was Howard Eastman even Winky Wright is natural LightMiddleweight and had never fought at Supermiddleweight or Lightheavyweight all of Hopkins best wins are boxers moving way above there natural weight.

[El Gamo]

CC Ice,I agree to an extent. I rate B Hop,he is a legend but some are going to far. Greatest of all time or even contender for GOAT?!??! I think not. Don't just look at the stats but look at the substance of the stats. People criticise Joe Calzaghe because they don't buy the record,even though he has beaten most of his opponents impressively,crushed his main rival and is unbeaten and unified champ. Obviously Hopkins has fought the better fighters but my point is don't just look at the numbers,look at the guys he has fought too. I don't think they qualify him for GOAT nor top 10-15.

[Gandalf]

He has the most accomplished resume of this era.

BUT lets not get ahead of ourselves...

Tarver and Winky haven't looked too good coming into the fight. I'm not a believer in Tarver. But I will say this, he never gets any REAL credit for what he did to Jones Jr. in the second round. But Tarver at this point in his life, has been aging just as much, ringwise, and lost his drive. He, just as Jones Jr, had to deal with the massive weight drain after pretending to be a heavyweight for awhile. And lets get this clear, Tarver lost the fight a long time ago, he was so afraid of Hopkins, you wonder how the hell did this guy ever get into the upper elite listings. Thats why I say, I've never been a believer in Tarver.

And Winky HAS looked shaky in the legs as Steward has been saying all along. And the size disadvantage Winky had to deal with coming into the fight. The added weight did slow his game and lessen his clean punches.

Lets see how +42 year old Hopkins deals with an elite fighter in his PRIME.
He's very close... but if he does that, then he's DEFINITELY up their among the true legendary heros of the sport.

Thats why I want to see B Hop v JC.

To be in the condition he is and to be winning fights as he is.....there is probably nobody to match what BHop is right now in his 40's. Hopkins is a freak of nature, but then on the other hand he isnt because he does actually take great care of himself even outside training. His situation is the result of ringsmarts and actually realising boxing is a full time job and not only something you prepare for in camp.

Im still hesitant on wanting to see a B Hop: Calzaghe fight though. Calzaghe is the wrong person to try and continue this streak against. All wrong.

I would prefer a fight with Jones Jr or else a true livebody at light heavyweight.

[El Gamo]

Yeah but Miles,I want to see JC get the credit he deserves. And I want to see B Hop fight a really live big strong guy like JC. Although I'd like a Jones Junior fight because I love RJJ,I don't think it improves his legacy in any way,shape,or form.