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With Joe Calzaghe's retirement, Bernard Hopkins slides into the top slot. So...who's 44 year old man going to fight? Will he retire? I really don't know if he can do the latter. I've heard it so many times I stopped believing - and why should I? He looked splendid the last time I saw him. But there really aren't any big fights out there for him, not around that weight class nor fighters that inspire. Except two.
If Chad Dawson gets past Antonio Tarver he and Bernard could square off. Hopkins, the master of southpaws, has also shown weakness dealing with speed and, in his old age, activity as well. Dawson possesses both and is just hitting his prime.
The old man would love nothing more than to go out on a high note and establish himself among the very best ever but Dawson outskilled Antonio Tarver and matched wills with Glen Johnson. If he does something spectacular - like stopping Tarver the second time - maybe his drawing power increases a little and Bernard takes the bait.
But there's another fight on the horizon that I think is just as likely. And that's a third bout between Hopkins and Jermain Taylor. I can't help but think Taylor, while retaining much of his athletic ability, is not quite the same physically but has improved immensely in skills. And looks very comfortable at 168. This may be his window. If Jermain Taylor wins impressively against Carl Froch he could set himself up for an intriguing showdown against a long-time nemesis. If your Bernard do you wait for that? Fight Dawson? Or hang 'em up as well?
If Chad Dawson gets past Antonio Tarver he and Bernard could square off. Hopkins, the master of southpaws, has also shown weakness dealing with speed and, in his old age, activity as well. Dawson possesses both and is just hitting his prime.
The old man would love nothing more than to go out on a high note and establish himself among the very best ever but Dawson outskilled Antonio Tarver and matched wills with Glen Johnson. If he does something spectacular - like stopping Tarver the second time - maybe his drawing power increases a little and Bernard takes the bait.
But there's another fight on the horizon that I think is just as likely. And that's a third bout between Hopkins and Jermain Taylor. I can't help but think Taylor, while retaining much of his athletic ability, is not quite the same physically but has improved immensely in skills. And looks very comfortable at 168. This may be his window. If Jermain Taylor wins impressively against Carl Froch he could set himself up for an intriguing showdown against a long-time nemesis. If your Bernard do you wait for that? Fight Dawson? Or hang 'em up as well?
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