LIGHT HEAVY LIES THE CROWN
British light heavyweight Callum Smith, who looked excellent in handing Joshua Buatsi his first career defeat on the undercard. This was Smith’s second fight back since succumbing to a crushing seventh-round TKO loss to Beterbiev in January 2024. While McGirt was quick to point out that Smith suffered a rib injury in sparring, which hampered his preparation for that fight, he did acknowledge the potency of the former champion’s offense. “Beterbiev knows how to break your will, man; he’s good at that. He gets in your ass and he stays in your ass,” stated McGirt. “The question is: What’s he gonna do when he’s up against someone that can punch just a little bit harder than him? “You know he’s gonna be there, which is OK. But again, what is he gonna do against a guy who’s a little bit stronger and punches a little bit harder? What kind of adjustments is he gonna be able to make? That’s the question.” Hopkins was different stylistically from Beterbiev and Bivol but more comparable to the latter when he campaigned at light heavyweight in his late 30s and 40s. Like Bivol, he frequently went the long route in pursuit of victory and relied exclusively on his ring IQ. He was more the diffuser than the destroyer. “Bivol, to me, has like Bruce Lee cat reflexes, [is] fast on his feet, knows how to move, and he’s very hard to hit despite being right in front of you,” said Hopkins with respect. “He’s more of a fencer than a mover, and if you miss, you’re gonna pay.” When Hopkins was in the light heavyweight mix for almost a decade, he was surrounded by elite-level talent. Switching his ring moniker from “The Executioner” to “The Alien,” he posted otherworldly victories over Tarver, Kelly Pavlik and Jean Pascal, usurping George Foreman as the oldest world
champion in boxing history. While he lost fights at 175 pounds, notably against Joe Calzaghe, Chad Dawson and Sergey Kovalev, Hopkins made his mark and was one of the best light heavyweights in the world at the time. Would Beterbiev and Bivol have been a threat if they’d been around back then? “Yes, absolutely,” said Hopkins immediately, his voice rising. “Because of their determination and toughness. Whether they would have won at the end or not, they would have been there for a fight. That is off the cuff and I don’t even have to hesitate. They’ve got heart and determination to win fights. You can’t make that up, and you damn sure can’t teach them that. “Now, let me tell you about the skill level. Skill would have been an advantage for me and for Tarver. I didn’t have a big amateur career. Tarver did, and that’s how he knew how to fight Roy Jones. But the reason why [Beterbiev and Bivol] would have given anyone in my second weight class problems is because of their determination and the skills that they have. “When I look at both of those guys from ringside, they would have given anybody, from Roy Jones to me, the A-side of that division at the time, the B-side, they would have given anybody hell.” Bivol currently has a record of 24-1 (12 KOs) and is 13-1 in title fights. With similar stats, Beterbiev is 21-1 (20 KOs) and is now 10-1 in championship bouts. Both men have held undisputed honors and hold high positions on any pound-for-pound list worth reading. Those are incredible achievements in the 21st century, but how do Bivol and Beterbiev stack up against the light heavyweight legends of the distant past? Ezzard Charles was never champion at the weight but went 16-2 against Hall of Famers Jimmy Bivins, Charley Burley, Lloyd Marshall, Joey Maxim and Archie Moore. Moore knocked out more opponents than any other world titleholder and held the light
heavyweight championship for a decade. Bob Foster was undisputed for six years and was so dominant that he had to challenge heavyweights to be tested. Michael Spinks reigned supreme during the 1980s golden era to stake his claim on greatness. Can Bivol and Beterbiev be compared to these fighters? “Now you’re talking about something totally different. No, now you’re talking crazy, man. Whatever doctor you’re seeing, change it,” responded Hopkins. “You were doing swell for the last hour, but now you’re showing your age. I won’t even bully you by telling you it was 15 rounds back then. Even my era wouldn’t have done as well. It was just different, man. “Ezzard Charles is the best of all time. Those light heavyweights are great, man. That’s why I’m so glad that I went up to light heavyweight. I’m the only guy that I know of who skipped 168 and went straight to light heavyweight. I dared to be great, and fighters have that opportunity in this new era called Riyadh Season.” The highest summit a champion can reach is proving themselves the best of their generation. Fights against other champions from other eras are confined to the fantasy section, and such debates will always split opinion. If you take on the best and you’re the last man standing – like Hopkins was at 160 – then the title of all-time great is within your grasp. McGirt is old-school and believes that too many fighters are labeled great before their time. I can certainly understand where he’s coming from. Hopkins, every bit as old-school as McGirt, is leaving the door open for this generation, probably remembering all the critics who refused to compare him to the likes of Carlos Monzon and Hagler when he was at his zenith. Hopkins got there in the end. Time will tell how history remembers Bivol and Beterbiev. The rubber match and subsequent chapters in their respective careers will give us all the answers.
Bivol celebrates his new collection of light heavyweight belts.
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