Hopkins feels Pavlik fight may be step too far?

[AntonTheMeh]

hop knows the deal.he knows kelly ain't no joke.aside from being 6-2 he can punch like a hell.and the exchanges that they get into could very much end up in pav's favor.i think he knows he doesn't have enough legs to be as crafty as he used to be.

[Pullcounter]

Something is different about Bernard, almost as if he understands the huge task of beating heavy hitter Pavlik. Bernard has faired very, very well out of his last 5 fights (Calzaghe, Wright, Tarver, Taylor x 2). But in all the build up to those fights I never heard Hopkins utter anything but confidence.

Take a look at this interview for example. At one point Bernard suggests that people shouldn't worry about him, because he's never been beaten up before. He goes on to say this fight may be the only one where he gets beat up, or it may not (alluding that Pavlik's power may be something he just can't avoid).

I also find it interesting how sincere Bernard comes across in this interview. Sometimes he can seem like a really good guy, when he's not saying ridiculous things.



All in all, I hope that he comes out of this fight safe and with the wisdom to call it a day, whatever the outcome. Although he does things to annoy me sometimes, he is still a great fighter and has been a fantastic character in the modern world of boxing.

hopkins is talking it up so that when he beats him, he'll get more credit. also he's trying to make up for that white boy comment. I'm pretty sure he's got good respect for pavlik.

[Pugilistic™]

Hopkins has respect for Pavlik and knows what he's up against. He is nearing the end of his long career.

Hopkins could be playing another mind game though.

[poeticlsykuac]

Hopkins has respect for Pavlik and knows what he's up against. He is nearing the end of his long career.

Hopkins could be playing another mind game though.

I don't think so this isn't in front of national media. He seemed a bit more of a person, not a show boat. I think he truly knows what Pavlik means, and that could be a retirement. Pavlik is a stout young kid that is perhaps the strongest fighter he has fought yet and he is 43 years old. This kid KO'd a fighter he couldn't hurt. Tarver was a big strong fighter, but not the same type of fighter, Pavlik doesn't shimmer, he tracks, hunts, fires, kills. Nothing real flashy, just brute force.

[mellow_mood]

AWWW SWEET REVENGE!!!!! estoy deseoooooooooosooo de verte coger pezcosas!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR WHITEBOY!!!

[Scary]

He's actually a very down-to-earth guy in this interview. I really like this side of him, his fun. I didn't like him when he was against Calzaghe, I believed he tried to be something he was not.

Btw. I easily see him giving Pavlik the hardest night of his life. I really can't score this... Pavlik really has to do something incredible because, no one kicks Hopkins' ass easy.

[Pugilistic™]

I don't think so this isn't in front of national media. He seemed a bit more of a person, not a show boat. I think he truly knows what Pavlik means, and that could be a retirement. Pavlik is a stout young kid that is perhaps the strongest fighter he has fought yet and he is 43 years old. This kid KO'd a fighter he couldn't hurt. Tarver was a big strong fighter, but not the same type of fighter, Pavlik doesn't shimmer, he tracks, hunts, fires, kills. Nothing real flashy, just brute force.

Thats where you are wrong. Hopkins had Taylor hurt a few times in the later rounds of their first fight.

[hugh grant]

I also think BH realizes the gutter talk on JC backfired on him, so is being more respectful this time.
I also think BH thinks he can beat Pavlik. Because the so called great JC couldnt put a dent in the old man, and BH might have worried JC might have done him more damage.....but didnt. SO he now feels noone can hurt his defence. BH probably rates JC more than Pavlik.
But BH is putting Pavlik on a pedestal so he gets more credit.

[Miburo]

Interesting that he was talking of a Roy Jones rematch. I doubt it will happen but it would be a good finale, personally I'd pick Hopkins handily in that fight at this stage of their respective careers.

[ИATAS]

I just think Hopkins has respect for pavlik. He says that pavlik is a real champion because he earned it the hard way (unlike other people he felt got undeserved chances, like taylor, etc.). He also respects where he comes from, etc.

I DON'T think hopkins is scared of pavlik. In fact, I think he sees something he can exploit, which is why HE is the one that wanted this fight (pavlik only took it because there were no other options at the time). Whether or not hopkins will be able to exploit whatever he sees in pavlik do to his age is a different story though. But I do believe hopkins thinks he will win this fight.