Tweet
Bhop's style typically mirrors a slick boxer/counter-puncher with an extremely high boxing IQ, coupled with a strong mentality but with a somewhat non-exceptional physical gifts.
The latter will be discussed together with Hopkin's waterloos.
Bhop is a quintessential counter-puncher. He utilizes a lot of movement bordering on "running", he gives his opponents defensive angles which are somewhat hard to crack, and he utilizes tactics which are at best questionable and he isnt adamant to use it whenever, wherever. He doesn't have an exceptional jab but makes up for it by being a well-versed counterpuncher. He stays behind a low workrate of 30-40 puncher per round so as not to expose himself needlessly.
It's also due to his style why he has achieved success for so long where other fighters falter at his age. He doesnt get hit very often, he fights in a "boring" style which stifles his opponents whilst ensuring that HE DOES ENOUGH TO WIN.
Hopkins is also very smart in recognizing his own limitations thus timely selections of opponents which are best suited to his style; namely smaller opponents or slower if not just as fast as BHOP.
With that said BHOP is indeed a true great in that he demonstrates that you don't have to be the most athletic boxer, nor the fastest, nor the most powerful in order to succeed in such a brutal sport.
Now on to Bhop's waterloos.
1. BHOP cannot handle guys who are BIGGER than him and FASTER than him. He can handle one but he cannot handle BOTH.
a. Roy Jones in his prime is just too much for Bhop and I think everybody here agrees that prime for prime Jones outclasses Bhop any way you look at it.
b. Taylor beat him twice by starting fast early and building enough early rounds to ensure a close UD victory. At that time Taylor at MW was bigger and faster than Bhop. Full credit to Bhop for taking the fight even though guys like Taylor are his matchup problems.
c. Calzaghe literally SLAPPED Hopkins around using in-out movement of feet, southpaw angles and combinations.
Out of the three notable guys that Hopkins fought, Calzaghe stood out as the most glaring example of Hopkins weaknesses.
Calzaghe down in the 1st and lost the 2nd seized control of the fight utilizing a style very similar to Pac. in-out movement, combinations and southpaw angles overwhelmed Hopkins which forced him to fake injuries to buy time since Calzaghe was SLAPPING the heck out of him nonstop.
'
It is also the reason why Hopkins will never fight Dawson since the latter is an even bigger version of Calzaghe with arguably more power and a very good jab.
Guys like Pascal plays right into the hands of Hopkins style and in the rematch expect more of the same with Pascal maybe getting a few shots in while Hopkins takes control early midway rounds.
Dawson will beat the **** out of Bhop. Too much style disadvantage.
The latter will be discussed together with Hopkin's waterloos.
Bhop is a quintessential counter-puncher. He utilizes a lot of movement bordering on "running", he gives his opponents defensive angles which are somewhat hard to crack, and he utilizes tactics which are at best questionable and he isnt adamant to use it whenever, wherever. He doesn't have an exceptional jab but makes up for it by being a well-versed counterpuncher. He stays behind a low workrate of 30-40 puncher per round so as not to expose himself needlessly.
It's also due to his style why he has achieved success for so long where other fighters falter at his age. He doesnt get hit very often, he fights in a "boring" style which stifles his opponents whilst ensuring that HE DOES ENOUGH TO WIN.
Hopkins is also very smart in recognizing his own limitations thus timely selections of opponents which are best suited to his style; namely smaller opponents or slower if not just as fast as BHOP.
With that said BHOP is indeed a true great in that he demonstrates that you don't have to be the most athletic boxer, nor the fastest, nor the most powerful in order to succeed in such a brutal sport.
Now on to Bhop's waterloos.
1. BHOP cannot handle guys who are BIGGER than him and FASTER than him. He can handle one but he cannot handle BOTH.
a. Roy Jones in his prime is just too much for Bhop and I think everybody here agrees that prime for prime Jones outclasses Bhop any way you look at it.
b. Taylor beat him twice by starting fast early and building enough early rounds to ensure a close UD victory. At that time Taylor at MW was bigger and faster than Bhop. Full credit to Bhop for taking the fight even though guys like Taylor are his matchup problems.
c. Calzaghe literally SLAPPED Hopkins around using in-out movement of feet, southpaw angles and combinations.
Out of the three notable guys that Hopkins fought, Calzaghe stood out as the most glaring example of Hopkins weaknesses.
Calzaghe down in the 1st and lost the 2nd seized control of the fight utilizing a style very similar to Pac. in-out movement, combinations and southpaw angles overwhelmed Hopkins which forced him to fake injuries to buy time since Calzaghe was SLAPPING the heck out of him nonstop.
'
It is also the reason why Hopkins will never fight Dawson since the latter is an even bigger version of Calzaghe with arguably more power and a very good jab.
Guys like Pascal plays right into the hands of Hopkins style and in the rematch expect more of the same with Pascal maybe getting a few shots in while Hopkins takes control early midway rounds.
Dawson will beat the **** out of Bhop. Too much style disadvantage.
Comment