Bernard Hopkins may or may not win this Saturday night when he faces a legitimate challenger in young but talented Jermain Taylor. I give Bernard credit for taking on such a tough challenge in the twilight of his career. Here’s my thing, though - even if Bernard clocks Taylor with the first punch he lands I still feel that there were several middleweights in my time (1965 to the present ) who may have been able to handle Bernard.

Through no fault of his own, Bernard came along at a time when serious challengers were few and far between. Yes, he beat every challenger put before him and I agree that he did not duck anyone. My question is, who did he really beat? Trinidad, who we later found out - thanks to Winky Wright - was lacking in the skills department? De La Hoya, who was at his best at 147 and was, truth be known, just in with a bigger, stronger man?

I respect Bernard but he was never seriously challenged. Trinidad and De La Hoya were blown-up welterweights. A lot of his challengers, like Robert Allen, Antwun Echols, Joe Lipsey, Keith Holmes and William Joppy were good fighters but not in the caliber of some world title challengers and former titleholders from days gone by.

I grew up watching and reading about some outstanding middleweight champions and contenders. Joey Giardello was a smart boxer with deceptive power who was about as tough as they come. Dick Tiger was a tenacious boxer /puncher who was extremely strong and well conditioned. Emile Griffith could do it all. He could box and he could slug. He was one of the most complete boxers I’ve ever seen.

Carlos Monzon was the BEST middleweight of my era. He was so strong. He used his height, strength and reach to great advantage as he just wore down challenger after challenger. Also, he was almost impossible to hurt. Rodrigo Valdes was such an underrated fighter. He beat “Bad” Bennie Briscoe three times, once by a clean knockout. How many fighters can say that? Rodrigo also had two epic battles in losing efforts to the great Monzon.

Marvin Hagler…what can you say ? He took toughness to another plateau. Like Griffith, he could both box and slug. He was very adept at switching from orthodox to southpaw, a maneuver that kept his opponent off balance.

Although Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns made brief stops at middleweight, I could see both beating Bernard. Ray’s hand speed would have given Hopkins fits. Bernard was never known as a big hitter, and the only way to keep Hearns honest was to hurt him. His jab and his power would have been too much for Bernard.

James Toney in shape at 160 would have “out-cuted” Bernard. Southpaw Michael Nunn’s height, reach and boxing ability could have caused several problems for Hopkins. What about Mike McCallum? I think McCallum would have been too strong for Bernard, but that would have been an interesting matchup.

There were some fine boxers and challengers I feel Bernard could have handled but I feel I have made a case for a few I think may have been a tad better.

Well I’m sure I ruffled a few feathers of Hopkins fans, but I mean no disrespect to Bernard. He deserves whatever praise he receives. My point is that Bernard was just a victim of his time.

The bottom line is that Bernard was the best of HIS time. Regardless of the outcome of his fight with Taylor, Hopkins is already bound for the Hall of Fame.

Jim Amato