The legendary former 2-weight world champion, Bernard Hopkins caught up exclusively with Seconds Out over the weekend.
His Golden Boy charge David Lemieux challenged Billy Joe Saunders for the WBO world middleweight title in Canada this past weekend.
Firstly he touched on his fellow countryman and WBC world heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KO) and when pressed on where he places Wilder in the heavyweight rankings, the Philly slickster responded:
“Top three, top four respected heavyweights.”
“I believe Joshua is a whole different animal compared to that, based on his abilities, all-around, his athleticism.”
“But Wilder cannot be denied and underestimated. He is an athlete also, he is confident also. By being the champion and beating fighters that brought something to the table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQPGLWwCfvU
“Not just stiffs, not just guys who just got their licences and became professionals.”
“But when you separate the two, to me the bigger threat in the heavyweight division is Joshua.”
When pressed on Wilder’s style of fighting, ‘The Executioner’ retorted ” He is just one of those guys that (is) very awkward. He has a different way of delivering his punches that haven’t been seen in a while.”
“I say in a while because I’ve seen the same thing in Aaron Pryor. Not that they have the same style but they are both unorthodox.”
When pressed on if Lomachenko was atop of Hopkins’ pound-for-pound rankings, later on in the interview. Hopkins responded, “And he should!”
I was a fighter who picked Lomachenko to win, but not like that! See when you win on that type of stoppage with a guy that is as well respected as Rigondeaux.
This was supposed to be Lomachenko’s real test, I mean split down the middle. I don’t know about this one, he delivered!” Hopkins added.
To me, he set himself past the good, the champions and your in another status called superstar. To me, this became a signature approval that came from him, by his performance he should now be and justifiably so, the pound-for-pound fighter, Hopkins concluded.
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