I heard on the radio today that Bernard Hopkins might be coming out of retirement and is eyeing a move to the Heavyweight division to fight Oleg Maskaev for his version of the championship. I would love to hear some opinions on this from some of the regulars on here like Brad M, Brent F, Smitty, Frank D, Toughguy, Cool Breeze, Santana, Black Panther, etc, as well as anyone else on here. What do you think about Hopkins' potential move to Heavyweight? Can he win the title?
2006-11-20 10:09:09 · 8 answers · asked by Pancho 4 in Sports ➔ Boxing
Pancho ~
In my opinion, I never thought of Hopkins as anything more than a good fighter trying to define his legacy by fighting blown up Jr. Middleweights (Trinidad and De La Hoya) and showed horrible sportsmanship when beaten twice by a younger, faster and stronger natural Middleweight (Taylor)
There's two things that Hopkins would need to beat Maskaev and he doesn't have or ever possesed at any point in his career Speed and Power. Hopkins doesn't have the speed necessary to get in and out and avoid being hit with a devestating shot. Hopkins doesn't have the power to keep the much bigger and stronger Maskaev off of him.
Maskaev hits like a mule at any stage of the fight, his power is forever present and he is always dangerous. There's two things that Maskaev does extremely well but doesn't get credit for. He uses his jab very well with good accuracy and he cuts the ring off, better than most of the bigger heavyweights out there. Maskaev also has a decent chin and would be able to take anything a much smaller and weaker Hopkins would have to offer.
Maskaev has never been completely healthy for any of his past 10 fights, but his back is feeling much better and his training has been going very well in the Poconos for his upcoming fight and he claims he's healthy again.
If this fight were ever to happen look for Maskaev to stop Hopkins in less the seven rounds. Hopkins would never be in the fight after the 3rd round. The state of the Heavyweight division is indeed the worst it's ever been, but it's not that bad where a blown up Middleweight who could never punch and has little or no speed could take the title from a heavyweight who can punch and wouldn't tolerate any rough stuff.
Thanks for the question Pancho.
2006-11-20 11:50:39 · answer #1 · answered by Santana D 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Pancho, as weak as the division is, as skilled as Hopkins is, it's possible. Could he pack enough weight on to take a heavyweight's punch? Could his frame hold 200 lbs? Could he carry the weight around comfortably and still be able to box and move? He certainly couldn't go toe to toe with Oleg. If the fight happens it looks like he's going to need Macky Shilstone's skills (once again) in how to effectively put on weight as he did before the Tarver fight. It would be an interesting bout to see.
2006-11-20 10:45:18 · answer #2 · answered by Brent 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry i didn't answer sooner Ive been too caught up in all this Mayweather Vs Pacquiao BS.
Now as for Hopkins Vs Maskaev i think this is really dangerous for B-Hop, when Roy Jones Jr went up to beat Ruiz i think he picked out one of the worst heavyweight champs ever to do it against and he proved to be correct, now this Maskaev isn't the best either but he has a lot more in his locker than Ruiz, Maskaev is definitely beatable by Hopkins but i just think why take the risk he is already a legend, if B-Hop gets caught with one of them shots like the one he hit Rahman with he might not get up ever again, i think we all know who is the better boxer by far but its like playing Russian Roulette for B-Hop if it goes 12 Hopkins wins by decision if he gets caught he gets KO'd badly, not worth the risk in my opinion he should stay retired hes already probably one of the top ten Middleweights of all time.
2006-11-21 23:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
With all admire to Hopkins, he grew to become into super, yet Pavlik grew to become into in basic terms too great for him. you could not compre Trinidad he did not have on the element of the ammount of capacity Pavlik has. i does not count variety Hopkins out via any ability, he could desire to arise with some interest plan and offset Pavlik and earn a determination. yet extra then in all probability Hopkins could foul and carry to avert getting knocked out and Pavlik could win a determination. yet back, against Hopkins you on no account understand.
2016-12-29 06:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by devoss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The state of the heavyweight division today, anything is possible.
2006-11-21 15:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hopkins would get killed....Maskaev is much much bigger. If makaev connects with a punch we would have another ali.
2006-11-20 18:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
dude u have to be kidding ! B-hop couldnt possibly beat the hairy son of a gun. hes way to big and powerful
2006-11-20 17:24:20 · answer #7 · answered by snakebite_1979 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, he can not win.
Brent, I am glad that you mentioned Shilstone because he is my home boy (New Orleans). It will be a boring fight. Don't waste your money on PAY-PER-VIEW.
2006-11-20 14:40:31 · answer #8 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋