HOPKINS vs WRIGHT is a snoozefest, not a slugfest

Hopkins vs. Wright is a snoozefest, not a slugfest July 11, 2007 By Duncan Bech Special to PA SportsTicker http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AgxZ38QRUWRlCY9DAdiv8ieUxLYF?slug=txboxnotes&prov=st&type=lgns Two modern greats will climb into the ring at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on July 21 - but do not be afraid to blink. Bernard Hopkins and Ronald "Winky" Wright justifiably claim boxing is as much about dazzling defensive skills as delivering knockout punches. ADVERTISEMENT Unfortunately, the American rivals prize defense above all else, with Wright building a career on his elusiveness and Hopkins happy to shape patient victories on the back foot. For boxing afficionados eager to see a display of technical genius, it should be a fascinating contest between two brilliant masters of their craft. But those concerned by the encroachment of mixed martial arts into boxing's fanbase will see it as another nail in the coffin of a sport whose appeal is gradually diminishing. Superfights between Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo - where reputations counted more than belts - highlight the tremendous pulling power boxing still possesses when it gets it right. Placing Wright and Hopkins in the same ring, however, will supply more ammunition for critics who claim the frequency of dull fights reduces boxing's lure and forces fans into the arms of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Only purists will be genuinely entertained by the contest, which is being billed in some quarters as a "megafight." The reputations of Hopkins and Wright warrant such acclaim, but the old adage that styles make fights will never ring truer than in Las Vegas. Hopkins, now 42, defended his middleweight title 20 times and has victories over the likes of de la Hoya and Felix Trinidad on his record. The 35-year-old Wright was the undisputed former light-middleweight champion and numbers Trinidad and Shane Mosley among his victims. Their credentials may be impeccable, but Wright has always relied on his defensive skills to the extent where television networks and promoters have avoided him in the past. A flurry of points decisions have marked the twilight years of Hopkins' career, and his powers have waned with age. Hopkins has been made marginal favorite by bookmakers as the fight is at light-heavyweight, which should count against Wright. But while predicting who will win is a tough call, it is guaranteed boxing will not have attracted any new fans following a 12-round snoozefest. I completely disagree. Im not saying its gonna be a war. It'll probably be sloppy for the first few rounds. But i think its gonna be an entertaining fight. Especially considering Hopkins claims to want to outmuscle Wright (a very good stradegy) and Wright wants to throw 90+ punches a round (another excellent stradegy) Both stradegys support the other in some ways. ANd even if Hopkins doesnt live up to his word, Wright is a more offensive fighter now then ever before, and he threw 1000 punches against Quartey. IT should be a fun fight IMO