When Hopkins wins on saturday, NO EXCUSES

[warp1432]

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, Hopkins will cheat...it's just how he is, but I think everyone has accounted for that. Personally, if Hopkins proves me wrong, it won't change my opinion much either way. I already know he has a remote chance at a win, it's just not enough that I'm seriously considering it. If he does pull it off, though, it'll be my first bad pick this year. I just don't feel overly worried about it, for some reason.

Also....everybody knows Hopkins is skilled, probably has more ring-smarts than any other 4 guys combined, and 43 or not, he works his ass off to stay in the best condition possible, and I definitely respect him for that. In this case, though, I just don't think it'll be enough. If Pavlik weren't a puncher, or weren't in as great a shape, or didn't have the work rate he does, or if he were just a tad smaller, any one of those things, I'd be picking Hopkins by UD rather than Pavlik by late stoppage or UD (I think the stoppage is more likely...I just got a feeling, and they're not often wrong). But the guy can't outrun father time, he can just keep moving so he gains slower, and at 43, Bernard just ain't got the gas to keep up with Pavlik. He showed that in the Calzaghe fight, and if anything, he'll be worse now. I know Bernard has never been stopped, but there's a first time for everything, and I think this is it.

That is all.

It really isn't cheating imo. I mean I just watched Archie Moore vs Joey Maxim. That fight was pretty much like Hopkins-Calzaghe all over again. No one rips on Moore because he "cheated"

**** Gene Fullmer was dirty as hell too. Hopkins roughs people up, but that isn't to bad.

[Kastrioti]

If Hopkins wins, no excuses, if Pavlik wins, don't make excuses about how Hopkins was old, bla bla bla, Hopkins is higher than Pavlik in p4p ratings in ring magazine.

[Scott9945]

Lose/lose for Kelly, I'm afraid. Except that fighting Hopkins is about the best training he can get right now, then probably Winky. Then he can have some fun with Abraham.

That makes sense, but thats what I thought about Jermain Taylor after fighting Hopkins and Winky. Instead he seemed to get worse despite staying unbeaten.

[warp1432]

Bumping this **** becuase Larry seemed to be trying to make excuses for the weight and so are some other peeps it seems.

[-Hyperion-]

this is how i like hopkins, when he is not a drity running piece of ****


i enjoyed that fight...

[warp1432]

Bump again....

[Miburo]

Nice call. I didn't overtly pick Hopkins in this one because I feared his stamina might fail him again late, but he came out like a man possessed tonight and surpassed even my highest expectations.

[Stickman]

Hey, cong**** to all you guys who kept your faith in Hopkins. I own I never expected him to be as conditioned as he was, and as much as I respected him before, multiply that by about 5.

[bootleggking]

I've always hated hopkins because of his style.... but tonight.... i'm so happy for the man... i'm happy that i was able to watch this historical fight live and everyone else should to... everyone needs to stop talking about pavlik and start talking about the legend that we saw in the ring: HOPKINS!!.. I never thought i would say that!

[MELLY-MEL...]

mad respect to bernard! he was unreal. kelly got a good lesson, and this will only help him, but bernard is just all wrong for him. at any weight! i am in total awe of that 43 yr old man. he was ****ing unreal! kelly will be back, and be fine. he needed this lesson, needed it early, and will hopefully now stay at 60 where he belongs.