With Joe Calzaghe's retirement, Bernard Hopkins slides into the top slot. So...who's 44 year old man going to fight? Will he retire? I really don't know if he can do the latter. I've heard it so many times I stopped believing - and why should I? He looked splendid the last time I saw him. But there really aren't any big fights out there for him, not around that weight class nor fighters that inspire. Except two.
If Chad Dawson gets past Antonio Tarver he and Bernard could square off. Hopkins, the master of southpaws, has also shown weakness dealing with speed and, in his old age, activity as well. Dawson possesses both and is just hitting his prime.
The old man would love nothing more than to go out on a high note and establish himself among the very best ever but Dawson outskilled Antonio Tarver and matched wills with Glen Johnson. If he does something spectacular - like stopping Tarver the second time - maybe his drawing power increases a little and Bernard takes the bait.
But there's another fight on the horizon that I think is just as likely. And that's a third bout between Hopkins and Jermain Taylor. I can't help but think Taylor, while retaining much of his athletic ability, is not quite the same physically but has improved immensely in skills. And looks very comfortable at 168. This may be his window. If Jermain Taylor wins impressively against Carl Froch he could set himself up for an intriguing showdown against a long-time nemesis. If your Bernard do you wait for that? Fight Dawson? Or hang 'em up as well?
his excuse for not fighting dawson is that dawson is the future of boxing and he doesn't want to ruin him - yeah f*ckin right. i hate it when fighters try and pull the wool over the fans eyes. when it comes to fighting the next big thing who doesn't have any skills (pavlik) b-hop goes for it but when it comes to taking on someone who knows a little bit about boxing then we hardly hear a thing. bottomline if dawson fights b-hop he wins.
i actually thought that b-hop with his skill set and knowledge of southpaws would be able to secure the W over dawson, but since his comments i think dawsons activity and footwork would be too much for him. dawson imo could follow the zaghe blueprint and secure a more comfortable decision.
hopkins vs taylor might happen but i doubt it, i dont know why but i just can't see it happening. i think the fight would follow the same routine as before, i think hopkins would find making 170 harder as well.
hopkins vs any cruiserweight is something else i can't see happening either, i dont know why but hes only been linked with cunningham because he knows that he has the ability to beat him. adamek is a much better fighter and has a solid skill set so again b-hop is avoiding that avenue.
Hopkins being so dismissive of Dawson means little. But somehow I think that if Jermain looks good against Froch, it's more likely he gets the chance before Chad.
With Joe Calzaghe's retirement, Bernard Hopkins slides into the top slot. So...who's 44 year old man going to fight? Will he retire? I really don't know if he can do the latter. I've heard it so many times I stopped believing - and why should I? He looked splendid the last time I saw him. But there really aren't any big fights out there for him, not around that weight class nor fighters that inspire. Except two.
If Chad Dawson gets past Antonio Tarver he and Bernard could square off. Hopkins, the master of southpaws, has also shown weakness dealing with speed and, in his old age, activity as well. Dawson possesses both and is just hitting his prime.
The old man would love nothing more than to go out on a high note and establish himself among the very best ever but Dawson outskilled Antonio Tarver and matched wills with Glen Johnson. If he does something spectacular - like stopping Tarver the second time - maybe his drawing power increases a little and Bernard takes the bait.
But there's another fight on the horizon that I think is just as likely. And that's a third bout between Hopkins and Jermain Taylor. I can't help but think Taylor, while retaining much of his athletic ability, is not quite the same physically but has improved immensely in skills. And looks very comfortable at 168. This may be his window. If Jermain Taylor wins impressively against Carl Froch he could set himself up for an intriguing showdown against a long-time nemesis. If your Bernard do you wait for that? Fight Dawson? Or hang 'em up as well?
I like how will Hopkins handle Dawson but i heard he ducked..
Dawson, if anybody. I'd tend to agree it's probably a good time to hang up the gloves, though. The demolition of Pavlik is as good way to go out as any, in the absence of a rematch win over JC.
I think it's interesting Hopkins would say that about Dawson. He's being very dismissive while hyping up Taylor. Again, Chad has a showcase bout on HBO against an opponent who's far tougher than a Jeff Lacy. If he looks good, along with HBO, they can exert some pressure here.
B-Hop ducked Dawson... He know he can't beat that Bad Man.... I think he won't retire until he age 50... Boxing is his life and i like B-hop but hes a boring fighter...
He mentioned Jermain Taylor as a possible opponent for him (actually the only possible opponent besides Calzaghe who is now retired) when he worked as an analyst on Friday Night Fights.
Hopkins also said that he does not want to fight and ruin Dawson because Chad is supposed to be boxing's future star.
Pavlik? :lol1:
He mentioned Jermain Taylor as a possible opponent for him (actually the only possible opponent besides Calzaghe who is now retired) when he worked as an analyst on Friday Night Fights.
Hopkins also said that he does not want to fight and ruin Dawson because Chad is supposed to be boxing's future star.
thats a big diss lol
He mentioned Jermain Taylor as a possible opponent for him (actually the only possible opponent besides Calzaghe who is now retired) when he worked as an analyst on Friday Night Fights.
Hopkins also said that he does not want to fight and ruin Dawson because Chad is supposed to be boxing's future star.
I'd love to see Hopkins Jermain 3..... 170?
Yup. I think Taylor handles it a little better than Wright and Pavlik. But his punch resistance remains a question mark against these heavier hitters.