I've been gone for a while...

[Bhopreign]

The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience.

If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45.

Eastman fight was a display of beautiful footwork IMO.

[ßringer]

The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience.

If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45.

I understand the age thing and the fact that Hopkins is past his prime.

But I hope that's not all your basing your opinion on because even a past prime Hopkins is still a dangerous opponet for anybody at 175 right now.

His handspeed is deceptively fast. He matched Calzaghe with speed anytime he wanted to throw.

His movement is still top notch, his angles are very confusing and his rough house tactics and ring experience all play a major part in his success as well.

His thyroid condition is his main drawback.

[Iceta]

The thing is Hopkins is way past his prime. It's no secret that his physical skills have deteriorated since 2005, watch his fight against Howard Eastman. Later that same year he would lose to Taylor twice. He would end up having ugly fights with Calzaghe and Wright. Sure he beat Tarver and Pavlik, but that was because of Hopkins experience.

If Hopkins fights Dawson he's fighting a very skilled boxer. A much younger Hopkins I would easily favor against Dawson, but not at age 45.

That's the wild card. How much will Hopkins have left if he waits until 2010 to take a fight with someone like Dawson? He could grow old overnight and Dawson could beat him that way possibly. But I really do think that if the same Hopkins from the Pavlik fight showed up against Dawson, he would win. And even though Hopkins does not have one punch KO power, Dawson's chin is dentable. I know Dawson has a more versatile fighting style than Pavlik. But he gets hit almost as much as Pavlik does when he tries to coast through rounds.