Hopkins Master Class As He Continues To Defy Father Time

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    Hopkins defied his age to once again defeat a man much younger than himself. The veteran fighter defeated Karo Murat aged 30 in a convincing points victory. Hopkins gave a more energetic performance than fans have become used to in recent years and showed just how remarkable a boxer he is. It is remarkable that a 48 year old man is still boxing let alone a world champion!

    Hopkins is a complete one off and his new nickname of ‘The Alien’ is appropriate as being able to do what he does at his age is super-human. He out-worked a man who is an astonishing 18 years younger than him. His conditioning was superb and at times he actually went toe to toe with Murat and initiated the moves. It was a display of a man who has been there and done it all before and who is fully confident in his ability.

    It was an entertaining fight which cannot always be said of Hopkins. Hopkins is usually very elusive using the shoulder roll and good head movement to avoid getting hit. He did this at times but surprisingly decided to stand and trade at times. Hopkins used all his ring skills to great effect and was a convincing winner with scores of 119-108, 119-108 and 117-110 all in his favour.

    For me it was yet another master class from a man who has to be considered as a legend of the sport. Hopkins has achieved so much in his career including being a world champion at middleweight from 1994 to 2005.

    Hopkins now holds a highly impressive record of 54 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws and 2 no contests and has been in with an amazing list of opponents. Hopkins has faced the likes of Roy Jones Jr, Glen Johnson, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Jermain Taylor, Antonio Tarver, Joe Calzaghe, Kelly Pavlik, Jean Pascal, Chad Dawson and Tavoris Cloud. This is a truly remarkable list of opponents and highlights just how classy a boxer Hopkins is.

    Following the fight Hopkins was questioned on rumors that he would like to face Floyd Mayweather at 160 lbs. Hopkins confirmed that he could still make that weight and that he would be willing to face Floyd.

    Personally I don’t see this fight taking place. Hopkins would have to go down from light heavyweight where he currently operates to middleweight. Also Mayweather who normally fights at welterweight (147 lbs) would have to go up to middleweight. I just don’t think that Floyd could make that weight correctly.

    To be honest I don’t want to see this fight happen either. Both fighters are legends of the sport in their own weight classes and a match-up between the two would result in too much compromising from both fighters. I don’t believe that either fighter would be at their best in that fight and it is just unappealing to me.

    I would much rather see Hopkins face someone like Adonis Stevenson or Sergey Kovalev at light heavyweight or if he does want to fight at a lighter weight in search of bigger names than possible fight at super middleweight. It has previously been mentioned by Hopkins that he would be open to facing Britain’s Carl Froch and for me that would be a much better fight. They are more similar in weight and height and it would be fascinating to see how their clash of styles would pan out.

    Whatever is next for Bernard Hopkins one thing is for sure, he is a remarkable man who will go down as a legend of the sport and a man who keeps on defying father time!