Where does Bernard Hopkins rank among all-time middleweights ?

[Sonny's jab]

He made 6 defences of the undisputed world middleweight championship, and was in fact probably the best middleweight in the world for 6 or 7 years prior to that. All in all he was arguably the number 1 man for 10 years or more.
This suggests he was a truly great middlewight.

I think he's a great technician. I haven't seen many of his fights, to be honest. The way he dismantled Trinidad was impressive, Trinidad was actually favoured to beat him, and Hopkins was already considered too old back then (36).

I feel the quality of many of the middleweights he fought left a lot to be desired, and I really believe the quality of the competition at 160 division suffered with the introduction or popularity of the 168 division, and the continuing popularity of the 154 division.

Back in the golden age, anyone with a "natural fighting weight" of 151-168 would normally be fighting towards a crack at ONE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, and the contenders would almost constantly be fighting each other. The competition was fierce.

Hopkins fought through a time when some of his natural rivals would be a division or two removed, and some of the contenders he was left with weren't impressive.
Still, he beat his fair share of solid middleweights. Just saying the division isn't what it once was.

Considering the depth of greats among historical middlweights, any fighter who makes the top 20 is a true legend.
And some would argue - with sound reasoning - that Hopkins is in the top 5 !

Personally I think he's definitely worthy of a place in the top 15, and possibly inside the top 10. I need to watch more of his fights, and look at the films and credentials of others, to come up with a definitive placing.

[McGrain]

Last time I did a list I had him in the top 10, yes.

[janitor]

If he somehow beats Joe Calzaghe then he rates higher than Monzon or Hagler.

[McGrain]

I always end up including stuff that occurs at other weights when appraising fighters too.

So i'd agree this is a reasonable statement.

[Russell]

If he somehow beats Joe Calzaghe then he rates higher than Monzon or Hagler.

He found a way for YEARS at middleweight until making that weight, age, and the big wigs desire for a new "name" in Taylor ended that.

I think he's as new as a fighter his age can be now that he's moved up.

Stay tuned. :D

[Dave's Top Ten]

I always end up including stuff that occurs at other weights when appraising fighters too.

So i'd agree this is a reasonable statement.
Dude, what a light heavy achieves against a supermiddle should have no bearing on his rating as a middelweight. Spinks rating as a light heavy should not be judged on what he did at heavy etc etc. Different talents are used at different weights and different shortcomings can be compensated for.

[brooklyn1550]

If he somehow beats Joe Calzaghe then he rates higher than Monzon or Hagler.

I agree, but in a P4P sense. Not in the middleweight rankings.

Right now, I have him in the top 5 at middleweight (behind Greb, Monzon, Hagler, and Robinson)

[Sweet Pea]

If he somehow beats Joe Calzaghe then he rates higher than Monzon or Hagler.And to clarify, you base your rankings on what someone of a natural weight class has done throughout their career, not just at that particular weight, correct?

[mcvey]

He made 6 defences of the undisputed world middleweight championship, and was in fact probably the best middleweight in the world for 6 or 7 years prior to that. All in all he was arguably the number 1 man for 10 years or more.
This suggests he was a truly great middlewight.

I think he's a great technician. I haven't seen many of his fights, to be honest. The way he dismantled Trinidad was impressive, Trinidad was actually favoured to beat him, and Hopkins was already considered too old back then (36).

I feel the quality of many of the middleweights he fought left a lot to be desired, and I really believe the quality of the competition at 160 division suffered with the introduction or popularity of the 168 division, and the continuing popularity of the 154 division.

Back in the golden age, anyone with a "natural fighting weight" of 151-168 would normally be fighting towards a crack at ONE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, and the contenders would almost constantly be fighting each other. The competition was fierce.

Hopkins fought through a time when some of his natural rivals would be a division or two removed, and some of the contenders he was left with weren't impressive.
Still, he beat his fair share of solid middleweights. Just saying the division isn't what it once was.

Considering the depth of greats among historical middlweights, any fighter who makes the top 20 is a true legend.
And some would argue - with sound reasoning - that Hopkins is in the top 5 !

Personally I think he's definitely worthy of a place in the top 15, and possibly inside the top 10. I need to watch more of his fights, and look at the films and credentials of others, to come up with a definitive placing.
Id put him in the top 15 ,his competition wasnt that great,small men moving up,he has kept his form for an impressive length of time ,must live like a monk,but I dont see anything a Giardello couldnt do,in his mo.A big fish in a little pond.

[Russell]

Dude, what a light heavy achieves against a supermiddle should have no bearing on his rating as a middelweight. Spinks rating as a light heavy should not be judged on what he did at heavy etc etc. Different talents are used at different weights and different shortcomings can be compensated for.

Because that seven pound weight difference is massive.

Joe could of fought at LH years ago, and maintained it.

[janitor]

And to clarify, you base your rankings on what someone of a natural weight class has done throughout their career, not just at that particular weight, correct?

Yes.

It is the only fair measure realy.

[Russell]

Id put him in the top 15 ,his competition wasnt that great,small men moving up,he has kept his form for an impressive length of time ,must live like a monk,but I dont see anything a Giardello couldnt do,in his mo.A big fish in a little pond.

He didn't struggle against those "small men" either. He slaughtered them.

No one else ever stopped Trinidad, Glen Johnson, or Oscar De La Hoya.

Guess who did in all three cases?

[McGrain]

Dude, what a light heavy achieves against a supermiddle should have no bearing on his rating as a middelweight.

I disagree.

More can be learned about a fighter in every fight a fighter has. So I can learn more about that fighter's skillset and that fighter's head to head ability.

[mcvey]

Because that seven pound weight difference is massive.

Joe could of fought at LH years ago, and maintained it.
I didnt say he struggled ,but when I rate someone I look at who they beat .Hopkins scores big for longevity,but his competiton ,for the most part wasnt that special,imo.

[Dave's Top Ten]

Because that seven pound weight difference is massive.

Joe could of fought at LH years ago, and maintained it.

When you are finely tuned athlete where the most minute detail has to be taken into consideration, then you are indeed correct, the difference is massive.

[mcvey]

Because that seven pound weight difference is massive.

Joe could of fought at LH years ago, and maintained it.
Hopkins could have fought at LH years ago too ,in fact he started as one.

[Dave's Top Ten]

I disagree.

More can be learned about a fighter in every fight a fighter has. So I can learn more about that fighter's skillset and that fighter's head to head ability.

Agreed, on a pound for pounds basis.

[Sweet Pea]

I didnt say he struggled ,but when I rate someone I look at who they beat .Hopkins scores big for longevity,but his competiton ,for the most part wasnt that special,imo.I agree with this. In terms of skills, longevity, and dominance he ranks up there with the best, but his resume falls short. Still though, in my book his other qualities make him top 4-8 as a MW.

[Russell]

Hopkins could have fought at LH years ago too ,in fact he started as one.

And he's done it against world class opposition towards the end of his career, with little problems.

Joe...?

[mcvey]

And he's done it against world class opposition towards the end of his career, with little problems.

Joe...?
Young Joe eh? 36 .