Hopkins' career spanned almost 30 years, starting with a loss in his 1988 debut. He fought until the age of 51, when he retired after his final bout against Joe Smith Jr in December 2016. That fight marked the only time Hopkins was stopped in his professional career, as he got knocked out of the ring.
During his incredible run, Hopkins set the record as the oldest world champion in boxing history, winning the light heavyweight title at 49 years old.
When asked about the hardest hitters he faced, Hopkins didn't hesitate to name Antwun Echols as his top pick. He explained:
"Antwun Echols: He was clubbing, not swift. Thumping. Also, Felix Trinidad, but that's all. He was really one dimensional. He had great success fighting one-dimensional people. That's not a knock on him but when you run into a Bernard Hopkins, who's more than one dimensional, then you got a problem. Kovalev was a big puncher but I'm going to stick with Antwun Echols, he could crack."
Echols fought Hopkins twice for the IBF middleweight title. Their first encounter in December 1999 ended with Hopkins winning by unanimous decision. Twelve months later, they met again, and Hopkins secured a 10th round TKO victory.
Despite his power, Echols' career took a downturn in later years. He won just one of his final 21 fights, resembling the path of a journeyman. Sadly, Echols passed away in 2023 at the age of 52 after battling diabetes.
Hopkins' ability to withstand such powerful punchers throughout his career speaks volumes about his durability and skill. His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of elite boxing, where even the hardest hitters can be overcome by a fighter with multidimensional skills.