I've been gone for a while...

The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience. If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45. That's the wild card. How much will Hopkins have left if he waits until 2010 to take a fight with someone like Dawson? He could grow old overnight and Dawson could beat him that way possibly. But I really do think that if the same Hopkins from the Pavlik fight showed up against Dawson, he would win. And even though Hopkins does not have one punch KO power, Dawson's chin is dentable. I know Dawson has a more versatile fighting style than Pavlik. But he gets hit almost as much as Pavlik does when he tries to coast through rounds.

The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience. If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45. I understand the age thing and the fact that Hopkins is past his prime. But I hope that's not all your basing your opinion on because even a past prime Hopkins is still a dangerous opponet for anybody at 175 right now. His handspeed is deceptively fast. He matched Calzaghe with speed anytime he wanted to throw. His movement is still top notch, his angles are very confusing and his rough house tactics and ring experience all play a major part in his success as well. His thyroid condition is his main drawback.

I thought Dawson would of won much more convincingly against Johnson had he engaged less. He was winning rounds 3 and 10 until he got stupid and traded with Johnson. In the rematch you will see Dawson move in and out more, and it's not like Dawson can't box on the inside, he just needs to engage less, move in and out. As for Hopkins, his physicals skills have deteriorated since 2005, in his prime Hopkins was less sloppier, more sharper, had a better workrate. He used to box beautiful now it's just ugly. If a Dawson/Hopkins does happen, I expect Dawson to win quite easily. I mean look at his fight against Howard Eastman I know you are a big Dawson fan and that you and I have discussed this one in the past. I don't feel like repeating myself, but you know I don't think Dawson will be beating Hopkins anytime soon. He's afraid to fight in the clinch, and aside from slick countering and leading with his right hand ; that's Hopkins' specialty. He won't need much of a workrate to be able to defeat Dawson by decision. The only question I have is whether or not he'll want to put on a clinic like he did with Pavlik (he's still capable of fighting at a high pace) or whether or not he'll be comfortable to win with the minimum effort possible.

Dude. You can't be serious. I can understand favoring Dawson if you're one of his fans, but nobody in the history of the sport has beaten Hopkins easily. Not even a prime Roy Jones. The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience. If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45.

Yo Bring and D, who you got winning this saturday between Campbell and Bradley ? I like Bradley by comfortable decision.

but I'm BACK! I just moved, so we didn't have internet hooked up for a while, so I've missed pretty much everything that has happened this month. I know what has happened in the actual fights, but with fights that have been discussed, finalized, etc. I'm in the dark. Anyone want to fill me in? Pacquiao has surpassed God. Cotto is shot/damaged goods. There is a fight in september involving some fighter name Mayweather and JM Marquez. David Haye is still Gay. Darchinyan can't still accept that he got KTFO by Donaire but admitted he lost to Agbeko. Pac haters still hating. The Kltiscko still bore the shit out of us. Victor Ortiz did not quit, the ref stopped the fight.

I thought Dawson would of won much more convincingly against Johnson had he engaged less. He was winning rounds 3 and 10 until he got stupid and traded with Johnson. In the rematch you will see Dawson move in and out more, and it's not like Dawson can't box on the inside, he just needs to engage less, move in and out. As for Hopkins, his physicals skills have deteriorated since 2005, in his prime Hopkins was less sloppier, more sharper, had a better workrate. He used to box beautiful, now it's just ugly. If a Dawson/Hopkins does happen, I expect Dawson to win quite easily. I mean look at his fight against Howard Eastman Dude. You can't be serious. I can understand favoring Dawson if you're one of his fans, but nobody in the history of the sport has beaten Hopkins easily. Not even a prime Roy Jones.

Remember the petrified look on Dawson's face at times in the first Johnson match, when things got heated? Yeah....just imagine what his expression is going to be when Hopkins lands the right down the middle, ties him up in the clinch, and proceeds to rough him up until the referee seperates them..... Poor Chad might break down into tears and I'm not even joking about that at all ; he hates the rough stuff. I thought Dawson would of won much more convincingly against Johnson had he engaged less. He was winning rounds 3 and 10 until he got stupid and traded with Johnson. In the rematch you will see Dawson move in and out more, and it's not like Dawson can't box on the inside, he just needs to engage less, move in and out. As for Hopkins, his physicals skills have deteriorated since 2005, in his prime Hopkins was less sloppier, more sharper, had a better workrate. He used to box beautiful now it's just ugly. If a Dawson/Hopkins does happen, I expect Dawson to win quite easily. I mean look at his fight against Howard Eastman

Vitali vs Arreola is a done deal. There is a six man supermiddleweight tournament between Froch, Kessler, Ward, Taylor, Abraham and your boy Dirrell. Dirrell is fighting Froch, Sorry if you already know. Pavlik vs Williams should be a done deal soon. Tim Bradley is fighting Nate Campbell this weekend. Cotto - Pacquiao is a done deal. Haye is fighting Valuev. Again sorry if you know all this news. This is literally the best stuff happening thanks for the recap.

Yo Bring and D, who you got winning this saturday between Campbell and Bradley ? Bradley is going to whip Campbell into shape. I still think Campbell got a fair, but fluke decision over Juan Diaz to bring him to prominence. I'd pick Diaz in a rematch if Campbell could still make 135. I would have picked Guzman over Campbell as well... too slick for Campbell. Then, Campbell went life and death with an average Funeka. Bradley, on the other hand, looks about as good as anyone in the sport right now. Bradley by wipeout.

Yo Bring and D, who you got winning this saturday between Campbell and Bradley ?

It was. He could've easily pulled out and just won it on points because of the early lead, but he dug deep and fought through it. I don't know how anybody shits on him for doing so. Fighters are damned if they do and damned if they don't sometimes because most fans act like possessive girlfriends. agreed. There are some fans you can never please.

I know... it's fine dude. :) I can't believe you picked a fellow Hopkins fan over your bestie on here Marti... for shame Big Mike. I'm surprised they even let Matt in. They normally don't take well to newcomers to the sport ; no matter how intelligent and knowledgeable they seem to be. I'll get you guys both in if it kills me. You, Marti, and Matt are my 3 closest pals on here alongside Hurricane. And 2 of those 4 are already card carrying members.

Froch and Taylor are the worst in the tournament. I think Kessler is the best. Dirrell and Ward are probably on the second tier. I'm not really sure where to place Abraham, I would think in between 04 Olympians and Froch-Taylor, but... idk, he could really be a wildcard with his sick power. Yeah man it's easy to forget Abraham is in the tournament sometimes...I can't even begin to imagine what drama he's gonna bring. Taylor's let me down...but I'm not gonna give up on him. I'm gonna continue to support him right to the end. But if I had to pick who I think have the best chances of winning, I'd go with Kessler and Dirrell

I'm still working on it, son. I got Matt up in there ; and I'm going to get you and Marti up in there as well. It just takes time. It's not right if I just nominate dudes left and right ; I've only made one nomination thus far, and that was Matt. Until then, keep carving out your rep as an intelligent fan in here who knows his shit like you always do. The right people will notice eventually. I know... it's fine dude. :) I can't believe you picked a fellow Hopkins fan over your bestie on here Marti... for shame Big Mike.

That cut Cotto got was similar to the cut Wright got against Hopkins. I like the way Cotto adjusted, Watching the fight i got the feeling Cotto was out to prove he still had balls, Most fighters would of pulled out with a cut like that. It was. He could've easily pulled out and just won it on points because of the early lead, but he dug deep and fought through it. I don't know how anybody shits on him for doing so. Fighters are damned if they do and damned if they don't sometimes because most fans act like possessive girlfriends.

It makes me sad that I can't get into Classic... :( I'm still working on it, son. I got Matt up in there ; and I'm going to get you and Marti up in there as well. It just takes time. It's not right if I just nominate dudes left and right ; I've only made one nomination thus far, and that was Matt. Until then, keep carving out your rep as an intelligent fan in here who knows his shit like you always do. The right people will notice eventually.

Well that is just straight blasphemous. Froch and Taylor are the worst in the tournament. I think Kessler is the best. Dirrell and Ward are probably on the second tier. I'm not really sure where to place Abraham, I would think in between 04 Olympians and Froch-Taylor, but... idk, he could really be a wildcard with his sick power. Yeah i agree with that. If Taylor had better stamina, i would rate him above all but Kessler because of his experience,etc.

He talks about his boxing skills like there up there with Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather though. Well that is just straight blasphemous. Yeah this place is just...its a proper addiction. I see you've got Dirrell over Froch too. I've got faith in Andre Froch and Taylor are the worst in the tournament. I think Kessler is the best. Dirrell and Ward are probably on the second tier. I'm not really sure where to place Abraham, I would think in between 04 Olympians and Froch-Taylor, but... idk, he could really be a wildcard with his sick power.

The nasty cut also had a lot to do with Cotto not looking like "Cotto" against Clottey. Mieguel's never been afraid of a little blood, but that thing was sick and a sick cut like that always effects a fighter's mentality. He just fought a more tactical fight because of it. And I don't blame him. Only a tard would say he should've went all out with a bitch of a gash like that one. That cut Cotto got was similar to the cut Wright got against Hopkins. I like the way Cotto adjusted, Watching the fight i got the feeling Cotto was out to prove he still had balls, Most fighters would of pulled out with a cut like that.