When was Bernard Hopkins prime?

[therealpugilist]

Mid to late 90s...got the big fights a bit late like calzaghe
During that time he was a complete fighter, aggressive great defense counters, power to knockout guys...this Hopkins beats Taylor, calzaghe, and beats most of the best middleweights ever

[sugarsmosley]

Prime hopkins?

58 years old. he's still improving.

[CANELOLUJAH]

he never reached prime, he was just about to peak but joe calaghe stomped that out of him, now he just been on a slow (very slow) decline.

[Augustane]

He's similar to Mayweather in the sense that his age only gives him more experience. Usually a fighter's performance is dictated by their physical skill and their experience, but we get to see in Mayweather and Hopkin's cases, their experience is not only compensating their decline in physical skill - but is making them only better with time and age.

[CANELOLUJAH]

He's similar to Mayweather in the sense that his age only gives him more experience. Usually a fighter's performance is dictated by their physical skill and their experience, but we get to see in Mayweather and Hopkin's cases, their experience is not only compensating their decline in physical skill - but is making them only better with time and age.

you say that, I say they are just products of thriving in a weak division. Also when you get to pick whoever you want in this "weak division" then OF COURSEEEEE you gonna look good.

[forget]

He was past his prime when he lost to Jermain Taylor. He has had a few second winds since but he started slipping after Trinidad.

[KJB]

so from 36 to 45?

I would say 1995-2000. That was when he was still an exceptionally athletic killer. Since his physical gifts have declined he has show off his craftsmanship, but you gotta give it to him when he was the complete package.

[KJB]

Mid to late 90s...got the big fights a bit late like calzaghe
During that time he was a complete fighter, aggressive great defense counters, power to knockout guys...this Hopkins beats Taylor, calzaghe, and beats most of the best middleweights ever

Agreed. Good post. Bernard is a true ATG. I worry that his amazing accomplishments as an old guy will leave people forgetting just what a monster he was when he still had his youth. One of the best MWs to ever lace up gloves.

[KJB]

He was past his prime when he lost to Jermain Taylor. He has had a few second winds since but he started slipping after Trinidad.

So at 40 years old he was in his prime? I don't agree. That said, I don't think he really lost to Taylor.

[Mr. Philadel]

Mid to late 90's.....he was past his prime against Tito....one of the reasons Tito was such a heavy favorite