My prediction : Barnard Hopkins vs Kelly Pavlik

[Drunk Punch]

Pavlik doesn't have the knowledge to beat Bernard Hopkins, even as old as Hopkins is. Pavlik hits hard, but Hopkins has been hit by much harder.

Pavlik is much slower..and yeah although his punches are hard as hell...Hopkins could limit those also, neither Pavlik nor his trainer have any idea how to deal with his expertise.

Hopkins would likely show up in better shape.

And to negate this nonsense....Bernard Hopkins hasn't taken a knee or seen the canvas in ten years. Some fighters are just built like that.

Hmmm. All good points and you argue a good case for Hopkins not losing, but how about winning? What can Hopkins do to win? He just hasn't got the work rate or the stamina to out work Pavlik. The Calzaghe fight proved that not losing isn't enough. Over to you.

[Haglerwins]

Pavlik is fundamentally trained and wears it well, he's not real sloppy or some guy getting by on sizzle. BHop will not be active enough to win at his age (without a shot i.e. cheating) and Kelly will be going downstairs plenty in this one. Whatever Hop sees that he thinks he can exploit against the Ghost goes out the window the moment his body sends him the next memo that he can't accomplish the task the way he would like to physically on fight night... like with Taylor and Joe. It's a shame, he'll most likely give off the same impression he did in those fights: "If they fought just a year or two earlier he would've..."

[mojack]

Hmmm. All good points and you argue a good case for Hopkins not losing, but how about winning? What can Hopkins do to win? He just hasn't got the work rate or the stamina to out work Pavlik. The Calzaghe fight proved that not losing isn't enough. Over to you.

Pavlik's got a risk of being knocked out. Hopkins is also is the master of upsetting gameplans.

[abadger]

Pavlik doesn't have the knowledge to beat Bernard Hopkins, even as old as Hopkins is. Pavlik hits hard, but Hopkins has been hit by much harder.

Pavlik is much slower..and yeah although his punches are hard as hell...Hopkins could limit those also, neither Pavlik nor his trainer have any idea how to deal with his expertise.

Hopkins would likely show up in better shape.

And to negate this nonsense....Bernard Hopkins hasn't taken a knee or seen the canvas in ten years. Some fighters are just built like that.

All true. But how does Hopkins actually beat Pavlik? The man throws so little it is crazy. Could he take away enough from Kelly to actually decision him? I'm not so sure about that. KO him? Dunno....

Basically I tend to think that if Taylor can do it, so can Pavlik, but I wouldn't be surprised to be wrong.

[ElGranLuchador]

bernard hopkins wont ko anyone ever again
just look at when he knocked down calzaghe he didnt even try to go for the kill
hes a coward that relies on gift decisions

[kayjay]

Pavlik will look terrible but could win a decision anyway based on stamina and effort. If he throws enough partially-landed punches he will win because Hopkins will be doing nothing but ducking and holding for the last five rounds.

Only if Hopkins can really reduce the pace to a crawl over the first seven rounds will he be able to win.

[Murray]

Taylor beat Hopkins twice using only the talent of trying really hard and being active. Pavlik has a better chin, endurance and power than Taylor. Bernard can only win by implementing his usual plan....a holding/running & headbutt-fest. I cant believe this fight was made, is it a PPV? Hopkins is like the anti-fighter he comes to not fight, I wont be buying this one.

[HappyBoxingFan]

I know this may seem like a pretty controversial post for all you Pavlik fans, however I'm willing for anyone to bump this thread after the fight if I'm wrong and I will hold my hands up.

Bernard Hopkins for Kelly Pavlik is a terrible risk and terrible fight. He's moving up a lot of weight to 170 (4lbs more than Taylor), I wonder how Pavlik will carry himself / power / speed etc to that weight against a crafty veteran.

Kelly Pavlik has everything to beat Bernard, however, this is Bernard Hopkins we're talking about who's ring manipulation and being able to nullify fighters is incredible.

There's no way he'll KO Hopkins, the man's chin is pure granite. It will go 12 rounds if anything. So far Pavlik has been able to get by with his power and heavy pressure that have allowed him a win, but against opponents no where near the pedigree of Hopkins.

I predict Hopkins will nullify Pavlik’s power at close range, shortening the gap between both fighters and disable Pavlik's much needed distance for hurting him. Hopkins is the best in close, giving short punches to the head and body.

Hopkins will grab Pavlik, not allowing him to get his big shots in.

There's no fighter on Pavlik’s record that can compare to Hopkins fighting ability, experience, dirty tactics and defense.

So I'm going to predict a Bernard Hopkins win by decision / possible KO (but not warming to a KO). A purely logical unbiased prediction where I've put my head before my heart. Kelly Pavlik is one of my favourite fighters, but I think he's bitten off more than he can chew at this stage in his career. I hope I'm wrong.

Kind of agree... except, I think there's almost no chance of a B-Hop KO. However... Taylor is very quick and Pavlik was able to track him down. I think Pavlik will end up wininng a close decision... and like ALL of B-Hop's fights, it'll be ugly.