Will "The Ghost" Become The First Man To KO...

[steptwome]

20.07.08 - by James Slater:

Kelly Pavlik-Bernard Hopkins - Will "The Ghost" Become The First Man To KO "The Executioner?"

You've got to hand it to Bernard Hopkins. At age 43, the Philly tough guy is showing no signs of avoiding the hard opponents. Okay, you may not like B-Hop's style of boxing, but to take on the unbeaten, pound-for-pound duo of Joe Calzaghe and Kelly Pavlik in successive bouts sure takes some guts. The kind only old-school fighters possess..

Hopkins, 48-5-1(32), has been criticised by many for his spoiling tactics, but surely no-one would dare sniff, even slightly, at the choice of top level competition "The Executioner" has chosen to tangle with just lately. Not only did B-Hop decide to face the unbeaten Jermain Taylor twice in 2005 - losing a contentious split decision in fight one - and then light-heavyweight and pound-for-pound standouts Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright, respectively, after that (beating both), but the veteran then got it on with Joe Calzaghe this year. Despite how aggressively you thought Hopkins boxed against the Welshman, it has to be conceded that the former prison inmate accounted himself well against yet another all-time great.

Now, this October 18th in Atlantic City, Hopkins faces the also unbeaten and extremely dangerous Kelly Pavlik in a catch-weight fight taking place at 170-pounds. What other active fighter can match this quality of opposition in consecutive fights? Make no mistake, win or lose, B-Hop is always willing to take risks and fight the best. But the question is, is the veteran great biting off more than he can chew by agreeing to fight the undefeated, 26-year-old reigning middleweight king?

The talented Jim Amato has already written a fine piece about this scheduled fight, but I could not resist putting forth my opinion of this one also. As hard a puncher as Pavlik is genuinely is, I will be astonished if he succeeds where no other fighter has and stops Hopkins. Not only does the Philly great have a supremely solid set of whiskers, he also has the uncanny ability of shutting down his opponent's best weapons. Sure, this can lead to ugly fights at times, but the same fans who choose to get on Hopkins' case are the very same people who admire the antics of heavyweight boss Wladimir Klitschko. Who is the more boring fighter? I say "Dr. Steel Hammer" gets the distinction by far.

Yet the likeable big man from The Ukraine is just that, likeable. Hopkins, however, despite taking the kind of risks Klitschko would never throw a jab at, is an unpopular fighter. But never mind how many plaudits Hopkins deserves for taking on future great after future great - what are his chances against the murderous-punching Pavlik?

Once again in a fight involving Hopkins, it would be unwise to look for an all-action type of bout, but at the same time 'Nard figures to both test and frustrate "The Ghost" for all twelve rounds. The bout may not be a classic, but you can also rule out a one-sided affair. Indeed, though he will likely lose a decision, B-Hop will also ask Pavlik the kind of awkward questions not too many other fighters currently inhabiting the 160-175 pound ranks are capable of.

A tough fight for both men, Kelly Pavlik will gain praise from the keener observers of the sweet science aspect of the sport they choose to pay to view. Pavlik will win on points in a win that fails to earn him the full admiration it should.

[slicksouthpaw16]

I just see Pavlik out working Hopkins, not stopping him or anything. Hopkins has only been down once, has a battle tested chin and his experience will keep him from being stopped. He will grab, hold complain of fouls ect just anything to not go down. I just can't picture Hopkins being stopped by anyone in history.

[OTSS]

I don't think so....I do see him getting a bad ass cut tho. Yes, from a headbutt.

[-----------]

Hopkins has only been down once,

Times that amount by 3.

[trips420]

I think because of Hopkins age and kellys power and work rate he has a good chance to ko Hopkins.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Times that amount by 3.

Hes only been down in one fight when he was inexperienced and stepping up in competition. He has not been down since he has had his ora down and coming in with smarter game plans.

[the_godslayer]

Age catches up with every fighter, personally i think that Pavlik stands a much better chance of getting the KO victory over BHop than any of his opponents for that reason alone, let alone the power he carries.
At 43 years old and battle worn there is always the danger that he will unravel and take a clean one that will put him over. Never say Never!!

[T-97]

Age catches up with every fighter, personally i think that Pavlik stands a much better chance of getting the KO victory over BHop than any of his opponents for that reason alone, let alone the power he carries.
At 43 years old and battle worn there is always the danger that he will unravel and take a clean one that will put him over. Never say Never!!

Even at 44 (I think he will be 44 by fight time) Hopkins is crafty enough to avoid being KOd imo. I think kelly has a chance, but at the same time i feel that if Hopkins is hurt at anypoint he willl revent to rough housing and avoid being stopped.

Although, it isn't impossible given Hopkins age.

[Chunk..]

This is a bad fight for Kelly Pavlik. I think he just got baited into his first "L".

Yeah I know...before you all say it "Bernard's over the hill, blah blah"

So trust the following.....

Kelly Pavlik is tailor made for Bernard Hopkins.

1. Despite Hopkins age, his style creates that he doesn't need the workrate for twelve rounds, but that has backfired in his face lately fighting faster fighters. That's not Pavlik, as a matter of fact Pavlik is SERIOUSLY slow.

2. Bernard will dispense with fighting on the outside. Pavlik's money punches are when he can extend his arms. Bernard will spend twelve ugly rounds fighting in a phone booth with Pavlik, and that wont work in Pavlik's favor. I mean lets face it, who's better at punching a quarter inch away from your opponent, Hopkins or Pavlik? And Pavlik cant fight and walk backwards, he doesn't know how. So he will have to keep walking into the same problem time and time again.

3. Experience: Again, the same reason I said it about Calzaghe. Its easy to say your gonna beat a seasoned fighter...its another thing to stand in the ring and figure him out when your own TRAINER has no clue what hes doing or why. Pavlik is going to be outclassed, outseasoned, and likely schooled, all on the inside. His best weapons nullified in two rounds.

4. Pavlik hasn't had to fight as dirty as Bernard Hopkins is willing to. "Philly" has ALOT of tricks (such as turning your shoulders and stepping outside your opponents foot when in the middle with him clearing his arms) that Pavlik wont see till hes swatted with it.

5. And finally, though he will have youth, Pavlik WILL not have the strength advantage. Pavlik went up a weight class for the rematch with Taylor, and hes going up one more to fight Hopkins. That will not work in his favor, as a matter of fact its ******ED to make those kinds of weight class jumps without tuneups. I get the feeling Pavlik's camp is trying to cash out fast.

Either way, if Nard stays outside he will lose cause he will stay inactive. BUT, if he opts to fight in a phone booth, he may knock youngun out. Keep in mind, Taylor dumped Pavlik on his ass, and Nard fought twice with Taylor and didn't even get dizzy or hurt.

[T-97]

This is a bad fight for Kelly Pavlik. I think he just got baited into his first "L".

Yeah I know...before you all say it "Bernard's over the hill, blah blah"

So trust the following.....

Kelly Pavlik is tailor made for Bernard Hopkins.

1. Despite Hopkins age, his style creates that he doesn't need the workrate for twelve rounds, but that has backfired in his face lately fighting faster fighters. That's not Pavlik, as a matter of fact Pavlik is SERIOUSLY slow.

2. Bernard will dispense with fighting on the outside. Pavlik's money punches are when he can extend his arms. Bernard will spend twelve ugly rounds fighting in a phone booth with Pavlik, and that wont work in Pavlik's favor. I mean lets face it, who's better at punching a quarter inch away from your opponent, Hopkins or Pavlik? And Pavlik cant fight and walk backwards, he doesn't know how. So he will have to keep walking into the same problem time and time again.

3. Experience: Again, the same reason I said it about Calzaghe. Its easy to say your gonna beat a seasoned fighter...its another thing to stand in the ring and figure him out when your own TRAINER has no clue what hes doing or why. Pavlik is going to be outclassed, outseasoned, and likely schooled, all on the inside. His best weapons nullified in two rounds.

4. Pavlik hasn't had to fight as dirty as Bernard Hopkins is willing to. "Philly" has ALOT of tricks (such as turning your shoulders and stepping outside your opponents foot when in the middle with him clearing his arms) that Pavlik wont see till hes swatted with it.

5. And finally, though he will have youth, Pavlik WILL not have the strength advantage. Pavlik went up a weight class for the rematch with Taylor, and hes going up one more to fight Hopkins. That will not work in his favor, as a matter of fact its ******ED to make those kinds of weight class jumps without tuneups. I get the feeling Pavlik's camp is trying to cash out fast.

Either way, if Nard stays outside he will lose cause he will stay inactive. BUT, if he opts to fight in a phone booth, he may knock youngun out. Keep in mind, Taylor dumped Pavlik on his ass, and Nard fought twice with Taylor and didn't even get dizzy or hurt.

Why you think I be betting on my man Bernard?