When you think about prolific boxers, what names come to mind? Some people will obviously say, Muhammad Ali. Some will refer to Joe Frazier. Some will even mention Mike Tyson.
But what about Bernard Hopkins (55-8-2)? The former IBF middleweight champion has made his presence known in other promotions, including WBC and WBO. He’s well-known for being a long-term boxer, using a defensive style to defeat opponents.
But does he stack up to the boxing legends of old? How does his legacy define the middleweight (and even the lightweight) division?
Positives of Bernard Hopkins’s career
As mentioned earlier, Bernard Hopkins had a lasting career that spans decades. Starting in 1988 and finally retiring in 2016, the Philadelphia native has fought in four decades. That’s unheard of among the average boxer, who only hopes to last three decades without health or personal complications.
The funny thing is he was regularly getting matches up until the mid-2010s. Such consistency and skills are impossible to achieve, yet Hopkins made it seamless.
But his best period came in the 2000s when he took down boxers such as Oscar de la Hoya and Antonio Tarver. Hopkins was also successful in the light heavyweight division, making him multi-faceted. Add in a middleweight championship belt and in comes a bona fide boxer.
What makes the legacy of Bernard Hopkins unique?
For one, boxing has always focused on its heavyweight fighters. Whether it’s Ali, Frazier, or Sonny Liston, there’s a bias at work in the sport. People gravitate towards “bigger” things in American society (and even globally) and boxing is no different.
Unfortunately for Hopkins, he doesn’t get recognized for being an exceptional fighter due to this. At most, he’s a middleweight who fought as a light heavyweight, which carries some weight in the public eye.
Hopkins was also a product of his time, dominating the 1990s-2000s era in the middleweight class. “The Executioner” was the big dog during his time, holding down the division and headlining bouts at Madison Square Garden.
Of course, his fighting style also plays a role. His defensive and countering abilities made him a tough match-up, combining his speed with defense. Using the opponent’s offense against them is an admirable trait that makes Bernard Hopkins more likable.
The consensus on the legacy of Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins might not be a household name in the same vein as Muhammad Ali or George Foreman. After all, the public remembers heavyweight boxers more than other fighters. However, he has his niche which makes him a great standalone boxer.
Sometimes, that’s not a bad thing. Being underrated is something that fits specific people. For Hopkins, he’s an overall great guy who had a long, illustrious career. After all, boxers like Ali and Foreman could only wish to go a few more years like “The Executioner” has.
More must-reads: