Bob Fosters LHW Reign Vs Bernard Hopkins MW Reign. Overrated?

[IronDanHamza]

As you know I don't value resume on its own as highly as you and others do but if I did i'd defintiely agree with this, there is defintiely similarities between Foster's reign and Hopkins' and yet Foster does get rated higher than Hopkins. I think there are three plausible, and not mutually exclusive, reasons for it:

1: 'Historians' simply think Foster was a better fighter p4p than Hopkins
2: 'Historians' think Foster was a greater light heavyweight than Hopkins was a great middleweight because the middleweight division is deeper historically than the light-heavyweight division
3: 'Historians' prefer the fighters from the past over newer ones, especially when there is personal nostalgia attached to it.


As for the side topic about the relative depth in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions i'd say that the middleweight division is quite significantly deeper. The light-heavyweight division has had some really poor eras and Foster's is a great example of that, in fact in my opinion there has only been one great light heavyweight era which was the end of the 70s to the early 80s.

In terms of ability I think Foster is overrated also. Isn't he a fairly classic case of people being dazzled by raw power?

Foster's era was definitely weak. He fought all contenders but his resume is very weak IMO compared to other ATG LHW's.

His best win is **** Tiger who whilst an ATG IMO and a good LHW, definitely not a great LHW. Possibly one of the smallest LHW Champions ever and the size disparity was just so vast. Add that Tiger was definitely passed it when they fought.

Foster's a fighter who I watched when he was fighting. I was always impressed with his power but not much else. He was a good boxer and skilled but his power is what seperated him. Ridiculous power for a LHW. I think that's why people tend to rate him so highly.

[Scott9945]

My mistake.. It appears boxrec don't display what the fighters weighed in at anymore.. Looked at his early career, saw 201 vs Doug Jones, but that's the figure for box pre and box aft, whatever they are?.. Won't make that mistake again, thanks for waking me up!

A little tip about boxrec...

If you register (for free) and log on that site, the weights will re-appear. They apparently made that change several months ago.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

A little tip about boxrec...

If you register (for free) and log on that site, the weights will re-appear. They apparently made that change several months ago.

your right,,, they are trying to get a huge amount of registered users for advertising purposes,, the more users the more they can charge,, Thats why if you notice, if you use boxrec alot in one day, say like 15 pages, they will block you for the day and tell you that servers busy, please register to use,,

And they also took away the weights from guestview, as to entice people to register

[billeau2]

Foster always struck me as one of those lanky power guys....like Hearns, guys who had that wiry snappy explosive punching power. If you ever fought against a guy like that....they are murder!

I mention this because there is a certain style and speed associated with guys like Foster. It sometimes seem like fighting a guy with two whips instead of arms. The thing is, with reach, as Foster had, it would be very tough for even a technician, a guy like Hopkins at any weight, to deal with Foster.

I make it a policy to try to avoid referring to weight classes in these scenerios, vis a vis "at middle weight yada yada but at light heavy..." But I will say this; Hopkins probably beat a few more hard hitters than Ray is ceding to him....I mean Tarver is not chopped liver and Trinidad, at any weight. But Foster? definitely a more dangerous guy. Hopkins was able to work on Tito because Tito is limited. Tarver is just not really on the level of an elite puncher..... When Hopkins had to deal with Jones speed he didn't do a bad job, but it was obvious that Jones was not to be stopped (the first time).

Foster was not the most mobile guy but he had enough weapons and snap that I think Hopkins would have all he could handle and then some. I like Hopkins....I think he knew that with Tarver, for example, if he went inside Tarver didn't know what to do...I also think Hopkins beat Taylor both times...BUT Taylor;s strength was a problem for Bernard.

Foster was stronger, better, smarter, meaner, and a lot stronger puncher than Taylor.

[IronDanHamza]

You would think the OP didn't state this isn't a comparison between Hopkins and Foster

[billeau2]

You would think the OP didn't state this isn't a comparison between Hopkins and Foster

guilty as charged....It is an interesting diversion....Got carried away.

[IronDanHamza]

guilty as charged....It is an interesting diversion....Got carried away.

Haha, trust me I'm as guilty as they come.

The amount of times I've commented on an article without actually reading anything but the title is almost criminal.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Haha, trust me I'm as guilty as they come.

The amount of times I've commented on an article without actually reading anything but the title is almost criminal.

Lol,, dont worry, you are not alone, i think we are all guilty of this

[billeau2]

Lol,, dont worry, you are not alone, i think we are all guilty of this

I still maintain that as good as Leone Spinks was I could take him in a biting contest.

[$Bullsfam$]

Slightly overrated maybe as far as his spot in top 10s but I have Hopkins top 5 MW because he dominated everybody he could at MW. I dont take much stock in his loss to Jones because he was green and that loss probably made him into the ATG he is today.

I actually think Hopkins could of beaten Tony, McCaullen, and the other solid MWs of the 90s if he peaked around then. Idk I just think Hopkins could have won a close decision to Toney.


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