Bernard is one of those guys who has a very different fan base. He has those fans that watch because they want to see if the 48 year old man keep winning. You get people who cant stand the guy and then your get boxing purists who enjoy watching the display of physical science taking place in front of you. Like Archie Moore before him Bernard understand the physics behind the fight, he has a 100 little tricks that go unnoticeable to your average fan, one tactic Hopkins uses to great effect is to set a pattern, consciously make a mistake continually until the fighter or corner see it, anything from moving the wrong way, throwing a punch and dropping his blocking hand exposes his chin, lunging in wild but the whole time these are mistakes he makes on purpose awaiting the challenger to try and capitalize trip the trap and Bernard unloads. After a handful of time of failing and getting caught the young opponent gets frustrated, confused and Hopkins sets the tone.
Your right that Hopkins has little power but enough pop to make you respect him, limited speed and limited movement but he does not any of these because he sets traps, establishes a battle plan and executes it. Hopkins is possibly the smartest boxer (in regards to boxing) to ever lace up gloves and can rightfully be called a master of boxing.
Hopkins is a master boxer/counter puncher. His nickname should be The Professor, Hopkins is a student of the science and mechanics of boxing, he knows angles and is able to time slower aggressive boxers. What Hopkins does best is sets traps, there are little subtle things he does that leads his opponent exactly where he wants him. Most boxers wait for their opponent to make a mistake and counter punch and capitalize. Bernard Hopkins makes his opponents make the mistake and hes ready to capitalize.
On top of that the guy studies his opponents, hours upon hours of him and Richardson watching fight footage and developing a game plan A and B. Hopkins is also a young 48 he has never taken any real damage, he hasn't touched a drink or a smoke or any substance since he has been a very young man, he stays in shape year round, does not put on weight between fights.
**** that guy who said he doesn't like Hopkins because he is a convict, what a judgmental asshole that guy is. And the other comments about steroids or Test, Hopkins has never failed a drug test I am aware of and is a physical guru.
Hopkins still cannot beat fast fighters who move well, his style was bad for them when he was prime and is still a problem now, take a look at all his loses, Roy Jones Jr, Jermain Taylor, and Joe Calzaghe and Dawson. Guys who did not engage, piled up points and took the win.
Hopkins chooses fighters who style fits his own. Guys who come strait at you, are methodical and slow footed. Bernards rein at middleweight alone puts him in the argument for the top 10 pound for pound of all time and certainly the top 3 middle weights of all time.
He has done some very dubious things in the ring, and I think he gets a pass because of his age. Surley he must be on Testosterone Replacement Therapy or something to maintain this high level of performance?
I think he's a cheating coward head butting and a crying b*tch. What kind of damn light heavyweight calls out a welterweight? Instead of trying to face the top light heavies in adonis and kovalev.
BHops is a veteran.
Like Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore; he does those subtle things that make a difference.
I DON'T LIKE HIM AS A PERSON HE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A CONVICT Now that I got that out the way this is what Bernard is in the ring. He is a boxing genius a couple of guys above me hit it dead on the head his foot work is old school his stance is old school not giving you his whole body to hit. his sense of distance is great, he punches hard enough to get respect from everyone he has fought, his conditioning is second to none, he does not drink or do drugs ,he does not stay out late he gets his rest. The number one quality Bernard has is his boxing IQ HE IS SECOND TO NONE.I hate to say this but is is one of the best that has ever lived .
I know Bernard almost always wins and that is both commendable if not amazing. I also believe that he is a biological phenomenon in that a 48 yo man can still compete at that level.
My problem? I do not have a clear understanding of what he does well in the ring. The guys Bernard fights are not ATGs but they are contenders that are certainly good enough to provide a challenge for a 48 yo ring veteran. But I don't see superior hand speed, or exceptional power (against guys his own weight). On the other hand, you can almost hear him thinking in the ring. But I think his strength is that he makes a fight ugly - not bloody or brutal - just ugly, and is smart enough to pull it out.
I just think it is remarkable that with his current skillset he is still winning fights. Bernard may be one of the smartest guys to lace up a pair of gloves.
