Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

POUND-FOR-POUND DEBATE: Hopkins makes case

Undisputed champ has defended title 17 consecutive times

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Undisputed middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins will defend his title Saturday against Robert Allen at the MGM Grand. Photo by ASSOCIATED PRESS

In 1997, when Oscar De La Hoya fought Pernell Whitaker at the Thomas & Mack Center, promoters dubbed the bout "Pound for Pound," with the notion that the winner would be recognized as the sport's top fighter.

But it was Roy Jones Jr. who then held that mythical title, as he had since 1994. And Jones kept it until May 15, when he was stunningly knocked out in the second round by Antonio Tarver.

That prompted Tarver to proclaim himself the best. It is a boast that Floyd Mayweather Jr. made after he destroyed DeMarcus Corley in his super lightweight debut a week later.

But undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins has a thing or two to say about that as well. Hopkins, who will defend his title Saturday against Robert Allen at the MGM Grand, believes he deserves that recognition.

No less an expert than his one-time antagonist, Jones, agrees with him. But Hopkins, 39, isn't the type who wants to do things by acclamation.

"Hold your vote until June 5," Hopkins said.

Most publications and/or organizations that compile boxing rankings have either Hopkins or Mayweather on top. The Ring magazine, which has been covering the sport since 1922, tabs Hopkins as No. 1. USA Today has Mayweather atop its list. In a poll of boxing experts on MaxBoxing.com, Hopkins narrowly edged Mayweather.

Hopkins' venerable trainer, Bouie Fisher, said he's not getting too upset over Mayweather's claims to the throne despite the fact that Hopkins was already the IBF middleweight champion when Mayweather turned pro in 1996 after earning a bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics. Hopkins, who has made a record 17 consecutive title defenses, was three wins into that streak when Mayweather debuted on Oct. 11, 1996, with a knockout of Roberto Apodaca.

But Fisher, 77, clearly sides with Hopkins in the pound-for-pound debate.

"The young kid, Mayweather, he ought to talk about himself because he's done a lot," Fisher said. "He's a great young talent. He has everything you want to see in a young fighter. He's fast. He's strong. He can move. He is smart.

"But Bernard ... he's just incredible. He has so many ways to beat you."

And that's what Hopkins said being the best is about. The "pound-for-pound" phrase first came into use in the 1940s when Sugar Ray Robinson was the welterweight champion. Robinson, widely regarded as the greatest boxer in history, was so good that people used to wonder how he would compare against someone such as heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Because that was an impossible match to make, the pound-for-pound rating was born.

Hopkins (43-2-1, 31 knockouts) has improved dramatically as he has gotten older. He's one of the best conditioned athletes in the sport and has dedicated his life to understanding the game.

"Sugar Ray Robinson is the standard when you talk about any fighter," Hopkins said. "All the arguments can begin and end with him. But if you look at what he was able to do and how long he was able to do it, it gives you an idea of how great he was.

"It's humbling to have anyone even mention your name together with his. A lot of these young kids, they may not even know who he was. They probably heard the name, but they don't know what he was all about.

"He's a guy who transcended the sport. He was the best. And I hope that someday, people can say that about Bernard Hopkins, that in his time, he was the best. But I have to prove that by what I do. Watch me on (Saturday) and then tell me who should be No. 1."