Jordan Gill (Current European featherweight champion)
So many amazing moments. Personally, seeing him beat a 40-0 Felix Trinidad as an underdog was incredible. One of boxing’s masterclass performances against another legend of the sport. Notable mention to the Kelly Pavlik performance, too. For Hopkins, though, I’d imagine him saying becoming the oldest world champion in history would be up there. Amazing achievement.
Wayne Alexander (Former European super-welterweight champion)
It has to be his stoppage over the undefeated Felix Trinidad back in 2001. Even though he was the smaller man, Felix was already a future Hall of Famer for his achievements as a welter and super-welterweight and was a massive puncher knocking almost every one out in both divisions. Some thought he was good enough to beat Hopkins, also.
Ryan Walsh (Former British featherweight champion)
The ‘Alien’ had a psychological edger over nearly all his opponents and I really enjoyed his physical showing of that psychology when he started doing press-ups against the younger Jean Pascal. I also enjoyed it when he made that infamous “no white boy will beat me” statement before boxing Joe Calzaghe.
Tyrone McKenna (Super-lightweight contender)
My favourite moment wasn’t in a fight but it was instead when he threw the Puerto Rico flag in the build-up to Trinidad fight and caused a mini riot of people trying to murder him. Hopkins knew the only way to win was to get under Trinidad’s skin and he did exactly that.
