Hopkins open to fighting Dawson?

[warp1432]

Obviously, THE RING would recognize the winner of what would be an intriguing matchup between No. 1-rated Bernard Hopkins and No. 2 Chad Dawson as the new 175-pound champion.

And Hopkins is open to that prospect, provided Dawson beats Antonio Tarver in their rematch on March 14. THE RING magazine Editor Nigel Collins ran into Hopkins at Andy Carr's Gym in Upper Darby, Pa., on Friday.

“Bernard said he would have no problem fighting Dawson, but did not think there would be much money in the match,” Collins said. “He also said he thinks Dawson has a good chance of stopping Antonio Tarver in their rematch.”

Hopkins, who doesn’t have a fight scheduled, was referring to the fact that Dawson doesn’t have the following to generate the kind of payday Hopkins seeks at this point of his career.

A showdown with Dawson, the prospect of which would be very appealing to knowledgeable fans, might be too big a risk for Hopkins in light of a limited financial reward.

Remember, Hopkins, 44, had trouble in two close losses to quick-handed Jermain Taylor – and that was in 2005. Dawson is a much better version of Taylor, left-handed and, at 26, in the prime of his career.

That said, we wouldn’t put anything past the seemingly ageless Hopkins.

Hopefully Dawson becomes a hypejob for HBO and HBO supplies the money for the fight. Hopkins-Dawson please.

[savorduhflavor]

Oh man, what a fight that would be. I think it would look like the Taylor fights, very, very tight. Speed like that can give B-Hop some problems, but he's just so cagey that he's always in the fight.

[slicksouthpaw16]

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/sh...73#post4733773

[Chunk..]

Wow! Both men have fairly easy wins over Antonio Tarver. That alone would make for an interesting match.

Anyway, based on their common opponent and each fighter's performance against their respective last opponents, I would probably favor Hopkins by a split decision.

Taking no credit away from Dawson, who I like, he did what he was suppose to do against a much older Tarver, who looked terribly slow and weak, especially in the second half of their match. Despite Dawson's good performance and work rate, even he looked slower in the last third or fourth of the fight, though definitely better looking than Tarver. It also showed against Glen Johnson. Anyway, the later portions of the fight is something that has always worried me about Dawson. I would like to see Dawson do a better job of breaking through opponents' defenses, seeing that many of his combinations did land on the gloves of a very slow and weak Tarver.

Bernard Hopkins is another boxer who shows good defense, so it would be another challenge for Dawson to attempt to break, which wouldn't be easy. I could see the younger Dawson taking advantage of his age and possibly work rate to win most of the first half of the fight. Unfortunately, I can see Dawson slowly reducing that work rate in the second half, giving a very slick and defensive minded Hopkins a change to get back into the fight. I don't see Hopkins being as slow as Tarver was against Dawson, which may also be another cause for concern in the later rounds.

Once again, I could see Hopkins taking the later rounds, stealing a split decision victory from Dawson. Am about 60% sure.

[WaRCoTTo]

I got Dawson by UD!..

Dawson the younger quicker guy is pretty light on his feet and could keep his distance..if it becomes an inside fight B-Hop will use his experience and bully the kid around!..

This fight NEEDS to happen HBO!!

[TheCheetah]

I'd like to see this fight happen

[Dan...]

Dawson would take BHop now I think. Just too quick and too active.

[-Hyperion-]

dawson would win easy, if he didnt have that shaky chin .........get a good ref though and hopkins gets spanked.....

[Crazylegs77]

Hopkins by KO

[sylvestersweet]

Hopkins should have announced his retirement after the pavlik fight. I fear he's staying around too long and he might get hurt one day. And Dawson is an all around great fighter(minus the chin)