Bernard Hopkins - The Ageless Warrior at age 40+

A brief chonrology of Bernard Hopkins' boxing career and achievements during his 40s, with some additional thoughts on the extraordinary career of The Ageless Warrior, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins.
www.boxing247.com/
This episode of Rummy's Corner was written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani (aka - Rummy).
Bernard Hopkins at age 40+ (Boxing Documentary)
#Boxing #BernardHopkins

[@leojamesfitness6031]

I'll never forget the Ring Magazine article on the devastating psychological impact of facing 40+ Hopkins, how he'd robbed Trinidad, Pavlik, Wright and Tarver of their confidence. How fighters would encounter such skill, they questioned everything about what they thought they knew

[@saibalbiswas3706]

Is there a link to this article?

[@BadselS]

He was 36 against Trin

[@strategery101]

He fought Tito well before he was 40

[@kevindavid7149]

He was 36 when he fought trinidad

[@juanig4198]

Did you found it?​@@saibalbiswas3706

[@ZanzibarBreeze]

Hopkins just a couple of months shy of 50 years old going 12 rounds with prime Kovalev was a victory in itself

[@holyX]

Exactly! People don't seem to realize how much of a monster prime Kovalev was

[@mrdfk9410]

My thoughts exactly, that fight gave me so much anxiety lol

[@TheIkaraCult]

That was a terrifying fight, Kov back then was a legit killer.

[@Guy_Incognito_DMZ]

@@TheIkaraCult yeah I felt very uneasy as Kovalev was a scary scary fighter back then.

[@michaelwise9353]

Hopkins fought to be safe after that knock down in the first round. He was weary after he felt kovs power. He was beaten as Jim Lapley said pillar to post in the 12 round. If there was a 13th round he was done, look at the end of the 12th round, he was shooked as he bounced around and played it off. I have to admit not many fighters make it to the end of the fight against Kov.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Hopkins accomplished more after 40 than most guys accomplish in their whole careers. It's like he had 2 hall of fame careers, his middleweight career and his post-middleweight career. He truly was incredible.

[@strategery101]

Similar to Pac. He had two all time great careers as well

[@jehdee22]

@@strategery101 Pacquiao didnt have anything close to what Hopkins had....that's a horrible comparison

[@LIONTAMER3D]

right?

[@Thats-What-We-Dewwwww]

@@strategery101 lol, nah.

[@musak.4068]

@@strategery101 Nah having TWO careers is similar to Greats like Floyd, Ali, Foreman.

[@YoREalDaddy]

Bhop showcased some of the best boxing fundamentals ever. His spacing, clinching, roughousing, body work, feints and foot work was next level. He would often confuse fighters with his laterals and pivoting into combos, and clinch, and than work on the inside and repeat it over and over. Most young fighters had no clue on how to escape the mugging. Hopkins had a understanding of fighting that is ancient.

[@RummysCorner]

Very well said.

[@jeepamir508]

Tarver, Wright, Tito, Pavlik No one them was the same after facing "the old man" Hopkins. None of them even knew at the time which Stone they had to face in Bernard. He was the real Executioner of careers. That's how great Bernard was Rummy, great work, as always

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Here's the thing. All those guys, and you can throw Cloud in there as well, were flat footed plodders (even Wright at that point in his career). Hopkins, even at that age, could eat those guys up. The guys that gave him problems were guys with good footwork and athleticism - Taylor, Calzaghe, Dawson. The one athletic guy he beat during that time fame was Pascal. That actually was the most impressive win in that stretch for me was cuz he beat a guy that really should have been a stylistic nightmare for him.

[@ReservoirPunk]

@@anthonyanderson9303 Winky and Tito where certainly not "flat footed plodders" and Tarver, while not having the best footwork, was very technical.

[@Thelostprojects]

I used to train with Bhop up in the Bronx back in the 1970`s he was amazingly skilled and so down to earth, a true champion

[@willbutler2850]

That dismantling of Pavlik is one of the great all time performances, absolutely epic on every scale.

[@bajan71683]

Agreed, but Pavlik did have to go up two weight classes

[@musak.4068]

@@bajan71683 He was already established and fighting a grandpa

[@danhoppy5517]

One word; LEGEND! Most athletes are on the downward slope after 30, never mind approaching 50...

[@paulgardner5079]

The greatness of B-Hop can NOT be exaggerated. He is truly one of a kind. For starters, he is one of, if not the only long time world champ to start his boxing career with a loss. Losing yoru first pro fight and coming back to win a belt is a feat in and of itself. Secondly, he is truly a master strategist and practicioner of the "sweet science". Just look at his perfectly executed game plan in fights such as Trinidad, Pavlik, Tarver and wright. and lets not forget his body punch KO of Golden boy De La Hoya.. Hopkins, unlike so many top teir boxers, chose not to rely on youth and natural athleticism(like his nemesis Roy Jones Jr did) but instead on strategy and tactics. Watching a B-Hop fight was truly like watching "chess with blood"

[@chonqmonk]

I concur 🍻

[@mirai5850]

Hopkins isn’t the only fighter to start his career with an L and go on to win a world title. Sisrskat sor Rungvisai lost to 3 division world champion Akira Yaegashi on his debut (thiers some other matches before that allegedly too and apparently it wasn’t his debut, but that’s up for speculation). And then when on to beat up Chocolatito Twice, and then gave Estrada a run for his money. Theirs more guys but Rungvisai is a great modern example

[@allcinionexplainsitall5869]

@@mirai5850 is rungisvav an all time great like B-Hop?

[@mirai5850]

@@allcinionexplainsitall5869 at super flyweight yes

[@musak.4068]

@@mirai5850 The answer is NO, he's not an all time great.

[@suiken3149]

Hopkins is such a feel-good story. From a convict escaping to boxing for a new life to a legendary boxing figure.

[@brendancronin3796]

Hopkins is a true great ...his body of work speaks for itself. He embodied 'what's not born is made ' cos he got better with age whereas Roy Jones couldn't compete when his reflexes went ..he didn't have the fundamentals that Hopkins did . I enjoyed his career so much ...it was a pleasure to watch

[@robertpegg7251]

Great yes ..But let us not forget that along along with Jones Junior ,Jeff Lacy Brewer and many other over hyped USA fighters he met Real World Class when he was comprehensively outfought and ouboxed by the real World champion ,the matchless ,different class Joe Calzhagi - never beaten ,retired undefeated ..Shortest Boxing Video ever- Joe Calzhagis defeats ...

[@benjaminconaghan6978]

how hopkins isnt rated more highly than he is is a mystery to me. the man is, as you said rummy, one of the greatest to ever lace up the gloves but doesnt seem to get the level of respect he deserves.

[@RummysCorner]

It's strange how he gets overlooked by so many. He was clearly overshadowed by Floyd, Pac, and also Roy to a large extent. But when you look at his entire body of work, it's extraordinary (and it is so more than just his great longevity, which itself was out of this world).

[@anthonyanderson9303]

@@RummysCorner I think part of it is his style is not very appealing to audiences. He wasn't a 1 punch KO guy, nor would he dazzle you with speed and flashy punches. He was considered dirty. On top of that, his attitude turned off alot of people as he was known to be surly at times and his opinions on certain topics rubbed alot of people in the mainstream the wrong way. But the man truly was an all time great. I think he's a top 5 middleweight all time and a top 25 fighter all time period.

[@strategery101]

It has to do with him not being great to watch. He was n ot that exciting and didnt have a great "eye test".

[@kevindavid7149]

He didnt have a great eye test. That is why

[@ugosmith7529]

@@anthonyanderson9303 i think you hit it the nail on the head. He is, to most people, objectively a "boring" fighter to watch. A technical marvel but not very entertaining to watch. That being said, I have nothing but respect for hopkins and what he did during his long career

[@mrb5606]

Those of us with a good memory will remember the hysteria around the pavlik fight. There were so called boxing experts who were genuinely calling for the fight to be cancelled as they feared for Hopkins health such was the beating they were expecting Hopkins to subjected to!

[@fasasitaiwo5782]

He's one of the all time best Boxers to me. Thanks Rummy Taiwo watching from Nigeria 🇳🇬👍🏿.

[@RummysCorner]

Hopkins was definitely one of the best to ever do it. Thank you very much for your longtime support. Appreciate it. Cheers!

[@fasasitaiwo5782]

@@RummysCorner you're welcome bro. You remain reason I'm always on uTube. I watched all your Video over and over again.❤️💯

[@fabianhermsen1225]

Underrated man. One of the best ever and legitemately should be ranked higher much more than he usually is. Has it all. great wins, longevity, multiple weight champ, unique achievements etc

[@officielEP]

B-Hop is one of a kind. Rummy immortalised his illustrious career with this video right here!

[@p4pking.]

That took me back down memory lane. It’s such a shame we don’t have many fighters today wanting to take a big risks fighting the best opponents like Hopkins did , he gave us so many great fights 🥊💯.

[@stuartdamon3610]

Bernard Hopkins knows just about all there is to now about boxing. This enabled him to consistently defeat boxers with more physical gifts. Because of Hopkins boxing acumen, it also allowed him to extend his career as it wasn’t just his physical gifts, but his ring savvy that won the day. “Time Bandit” is just as apropos a ring name for him as “The Executioner”. And Archie Moore is an apt comparison. Bernard Hopkins is an example of how important boxing knowledge is, and he is no doubt an all time great. And an inspiration to old people! 😂 Thank your for the great video Rummy. 🤪🥊~========

[@RummysCorner]

Excellent take, and I quite like the "Time Bandit" moniker and also find it fitting. Thank you very much for sharing. Cheers!

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

Thanx for putting together a BHop video. The man is got to be among the craftiest boxers to ever live.

[@ME-kk9cl]

Such longevity is indeed only rivaled by Archie Moore and to do it in this day and age makes it all the more impressive. Goes to show what you can achieve if you have a healthy boxing and life style. Man never ate junk food or drink alcohol and matches it with great boxing IQ. Always love to hear him talk as well. As for Rummy's Corner, everytime I see an upload I have to tell my girlfriend I am going to not listen nor talk for 30 min that same evening and probably will try to explain her how awsome the athlete and the maker was despite she not asking for it at all. Thank you! ❤️

[@willienganga]

Greatness personified. Our preoccupation with 0s today blinds people to all this badassery.

[@user-ec7jl4fg1p]

nothing better than a new rummy video!

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much!

[@KM-kn4tz]

This is the best way to start my morning watching a real warrior never give up

[@nickharmer3049]

Bernard certainly was an anomaly. Incredible man, with an amazing career. No wonder his moniker was The Alien.! Great stuff Rummy. Always appreciate your work. Bless up bro 👊

[@StuartTheunissen]

The job he did on Trinidad was a work of art.

[@SKYDARIPPA2wild4tv]

That is what u call giving a legend his flowers thank you for such a great breakdown the best boxing channel on the planet !!!

[@samuelkurotimi4052]

this record may never be broken.. thanks again rummy for such a wonderful video

[@eze333]

Hopkins will forever be in the conversation when we talk about who is the all time P4P greatest fighter ever. What he did throughout his career considering his age was nothing short of magical.

[@petertr2000]

When you look back, Calzaghe got absolutely zero credit for winning his match because Hopkins was "well past it". Little did we know that wasn't true at all.

[@robertpegg7251]

Dont forget that along along with Jones Junior ,Jeff Lacy ,Brewer and many other over hyped USA fighters he met Real genuine World Class when he was comprehensively outfought and ouboxed by the real World champion ,the matchless ,different class British (Welsh) Joe Calzhagi - never beaten ,retired undefeated ..Shortest Boxing Video ever- Joe Calzhagis defeats ...

[@jean-francoisduval1907]

He's probably one of the most underrated fighter in the HOF.

[@israelmorales3708]

Thank you for creating this.. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[@dennisfboston4543]

Rummy and his super duper relatively new videos are always awesome. Period.

[@jerryhernandez1895]

Hopkins is one of the greatest boxers of all time. So underrated. He’s top 5.

[@yingghit97]

my favourite fighter of all time!!! The Alien mr B-Hop one of the top 20 greatest champions in the history of the sport

[@kennylopezjeetkunedo5555]

A lot of props given to the ageless warrior Bernard The Executioner Hopkins. About time people are giving him his flowers because when he was active having history making performances, people weren't recognizing his greatness. And Rummy touched on all of his big fights and the fights that could of went his way like the Taylor fights and Calzaghe fight. His overall body work is one of the best of the last 20 years. I got Hopkins and Pacquaio as the 2 best boxers of the last 20 years. Hopkins and the Pacman also lasted longer than any of their peers at an elite level.

[@Sheng-Li248]

I never click on a video so fast. Love B-Hop... that's my guy. He's super underrated.

[@channelofmo9276]

Fantastic Video Rummy! Love that flashback to the history of boxing! More videos like this in the future please!

[@Ant-mo1gl]

This episode is pure gold!

[@RyanORLY]

Thanks so much for this rummy! Bhops my favourite boxer great to see more content on him. Really good video

[@KB4th]

What a great run through of the Executioner's aging fights Rummy. Bernard was by any standard a legend that, as you mentioned is comparable to Archie Moore but also Joe Lewis, Jersey Joe Walcott just to name a couple. Was watching the De La Hoya fight in a cozy pub when he landed the rip to the body. Thanks for the vid mate.....

[@thisso5644]

BHOP!!! One the most underrated of all time

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

Amazing video. Thank you Geoffrey!

[@robertsaidel6707]

great vid as always rummy ....Bernard was truly an amazing athlete 👍

[@duncaninglis5407]

Brilliant video Rummy, Bernard is a good man too he just loves the sport and he’s always been at his best, he has obviously brilliant genetics in his blood and he carries it well as a Chsmpion🥊

[@21PI12]

Great piece of work Rummy. Totally blown away by this video

[@christophermendez4044]

Rumy boxing videos are always so entertaining and educational. Genuinely enjoy his videos.

[@dantean]

Bernard's fights always remind me of why the sport is called "the sweet science" and not just "punching," the way some people seem to like it. Nothing against Mexican boxing, but the fights all start to look the same to me after awhile.

[@Papiiswagg]

Thanks Rummy!

[@billybob9961]

One of the very best of all time on my list too.

[@jacobnewton840]

Awesome video, as always.

[@Andy-vh1kl]

Another great video well done rummy

[@jaydaj5759]

THE VERY BEST BOXING CHANNEL

[@paulgraetz370]

I don't think I have ever seen a fitter boxer. But also one who had incredible boxing skills. Great video Rummy!

[@victorl416]

This was a pleasant surprise Rummy! B Hop is without question one of the GOATS!

[@hman7236]

Most difficult awkward style straight up warrior . Saw his complete career legendary

[@user-tl4fi6oy8d]

Hopkins is a legend among legends. What other fighter won titles at multiple divisions over three different decades? He never worried about the favour of the crowd, but instead chose to do it his way.

[@davidgregory2434]

I sure wish you uploaded more, these are my favorite boxing videos to watch on KZbin by far. Keep up the good work and I’ll continue to support and share 🤜🏾🤛🏻

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much. I'm trying my best to start releasing more.

[@rickjames2.0]

I remember all the talk of him retiring at 40 because he promised his mom I never felt like he would he was just hitting his peak. I'm glad I was right!

[@hannibalbeats24]

Great video rummy. Another classic about a stellar career of a great champion

[@wyldshot666]

Great video as always Geoffrey.

[@natefrancis4455]

The Best Boxer to ever come out of my hometown of Philly!

[@nupuonline]

Damn, Rummy, you did it again

[@jsb1585]

One of the greatest to ever do it. The perfect example of how mastering basic boxing fundamentals can preserve your career long after your athletic prime has passed.

[@kid--presentable]

Great video Rummy

[@sjbrooksy45]

Truly one of the greats. So glad I was around to watch his fights.

[@dexocube]

Great breakdown of his later career, thanks Rummy. To be able to fight at the level he was fighting at into his fifties? We'll not see his like again.

[@barrybarnes96]

That sneaky short right hand he always threw from the shoulder. The ever present head threat. He was very crafty. Manny Steward said he lived like a monk and ran every day which likely explains his longevity..

[@kennywilkinson913]

I've been looking forward to this one all day since I got the notification and personally think Hopkins totally schooled calzaghe.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Cheers Rummy. Great vid mate. Im 49 and the reactions are going man. lol. Rapidly haha.

[@lunatik316]

Rummy your the greatest in your own right! Thanks for giving these great champions & warriors their flowers! Brings a tear to my eye!

[@SirSwaggerDon]

great vid!!

[@mz.joette9105]

Another amazing video😉

[@Sockfilms]

One of my favorite fighters! Thanks Rummy!

[@johnjohnson11222]

Even though I did not always like the way he fought after 40 (to put it mildly), I do believe that he deserves massive respect and honestly I don't think that anybody will ever be able to duplicate that.

[@ItsAVolcano]

People hating on Calzaghe constantly emphasize how he fought an "old" Hopkins, completely ignoring that Bernard was in the middle of a second wind in his career.

[@RS-ob1vr]

Best boxer of the middleweight,s ever. The encyclopedia of boxing himself .Defined his age over and over again . One of the best ever X executioner X 4ever!!

[@kwato]

One of the greatest

[@Franciscasieri]

One of 10 best careers in Boxing history A master.

[@swampthing94]

BHop has to be mentioned as one of the goats. What a career, what a fighting man

[@Svenburchard]

Hopkins was insane. Surely a comeback is imminent :D I love Hop

[@EverettBurger]

1. Defense first mentality 2. Don't put garbage in your body. 3. Don't let yourself get out of shape in between fights. Hopkins unofficial rules of success.

[@RummysCorner]

Well put.

[@alexinanalogue2645]

Great video.

[@jaythepirateroberts6012]

love ur show ty for the hard work.

[@RummysCorner]

Glad to hear, and you are very welcome.

[@billybob9961]

Bernard Hopkins has to be in the top 20 all-time greatest fighters if not the top 10. and honestly if it wasn’t for the great rich history of boxing and you just went with the modern era he’d have to be in the top 5 Of all time great

[@slidecounter5813]

1 of my favorite fighter's ever 🥊

[@MDDeardorff]

BH is truly one of the greatest boxers ever intelligent durability mental toughness

[@mauriceromain7849]

GREAT CONTENT RUMMY

[@timlene2675]

Great video

[@FightCollective]

Big fan of The Executioner aka The Alien aka B hop... maybe because I was still fighting in my late 40's (48 my last fight). Love him inside and outside the ring.

[@lordvadertheleftie9703]

The Executioner is 2 years younger than me. My body is so knackered i can barely walk, he'd still beat most of the division if he wanted. The Felix Trinidad fight was so so good

[@blazeblackk]

He will always be one of my absolute favorites

[@BoxyMan28]

I am still shocked at how good Bernard was well past 40. Crazy how when the big names get mentioned they do not talk about him much. It is almost as if he stayed in his prime well into his late 40s. Prime example was the rematch against Roy Jones. Roy was phenomenal in his prime but like most guys declined after 35. Bernard stayed prime, almost as if he got better as he got older or after each loss got better and only really declined after 48. Not that he needed to, but I still wonder why he never fought for a 168 title, Hopkins vs Froch or Ward would have been great.

[@ck12006]

probably my favorite boxer of all time

[@od1umct]

I loved watching hopkins fight...

[@NNBoxing]

Absolutely brilliant video this.

[@RummysCorner]

Many thanks!

[@michaelhubbard4023]

Hopkins was hungry. Plain and simple. Spending time in the pen, experiencing the worst that life had to offer made him hungry beyond measure. He had a great trainer in Bouie Fisher, well coached in boxing fundamentals, defense, offense and other intangibles made him last longer than the average fighter. Bhop is an all-time great and a class act.

[@richardmorris7063]

BHop is like Big George, not too many boxers have this level of success after 40.

[@AlanMane]

Great vid Rummy. Was I dreaming or did you upload a video about the top 50 knockouts earlier today?

[@levincannezir2641]

Man I would have loved a matchup between Bernard Hopkins vs James Toney and Bernard Hopkins vs Gerald McClellan!

[@VictorDiaz-xt6wm]

Hopkins vs McClellan the G man won Hopkins for me in the third round by ko ,the gman was great puncher and is very sad the tragedy of him

[@danielw2460]

Hey im still pretty new to boxing and was wondering if you could maybe go over the weightclasses who the top dogs are, who are great amateurs that are raising the ranks and who is on their way out. Been loving your videos keep em coming brother