Mayweather: "Forget Jones, Hopkins Should Fight Dawson"

[IMDAZED]

I wouldn't bet against him. Dawson is a sucker for a right hand. At the same time I feel Hopkins believes that Dawson will be a handful because of his work rate and if Hop can't hurt him especially early then he's in for a long night.

This fight could still happen. First Dawson has to get by Johnson, which is not a foregone conclusion.

[street bully]

It's a little easier to clean out a division when you're there forever. Floyd never had much of a chance unless he wanted to wait because Casa and Freitas had other options. It's easy not to duck somebody when you don't challenge yourself. He stayed at 160 long past his due. You can't even argue that. If Floyd fought Carl Daniels, Hakkar, Allan III, etc. he'd be destroyed on these forums. Hopkins followed up his biggest win with nothing. He had an opportunity to fight Roy and he priced himself out, once again can't even argue that.

He's taking challenges (calculated ones) in his 40's because he has NOTHING TO LOSE. Everything Hop has done was carefully thought out. Every scenario is one where he won't lose as much as he could win.

I don't really want to downplay what Hopkins has done, but Floyd has done things just as impressive if not more.

No he hasn't please state what he has done that you could compare to Hopkins he only fought one guy who people thought could beat him. Also to say he priced himself out against Roy is an absolute joke. At the time Hopkins was very well known was coming off a few big wins, and was undisputed, and asked for a reasonable 50-50, which Roy turned down. Both were relevant at the time, and seeign that Hopkins, who had every right to demand a much larger share today since he is still relevant a top P4Per and number one at LHW, while Roy has not competed on the elite level since 2006 and gave Roy 50-50 shows you who was doing the pricing out.

[IMDAZED]

No he hasn't please state what he has done that you could compare to Hopkins he only fought one guy who people thought could beat him. Also to say he priced himself out against Roy is an absolute joke. At the time Hopkins was very well known was coming off a few big wins, and was undisputed, and asked for a reasonable 50-50, which Roy turned down. Both were relevant at the time, and seeign that Hopkins, who had every right to demand a much larger share today since he is still relevant a top P4Per and number one at LHW, while Roy has not competed on the elite level since 2006 and gave Roy 50-50 shows you who was doing the pricing out.

While Hopkins was reaching new heights in his career in 2001-2002, Jones was rated pound for pound #1 and was the bigger draw. ****, he's still the bigger draw, which is why even at this stage of his dead career he can still force Calzaghe and Hopkins to give him half of the pie. 60-40 in 2002 was fair, 50-50 was generous.

[ßringer]

It's a little easier to clean out a division when you're there forever. Floyd never had much of a chance unless he wanted to wait because Casa and Freitas had other options. It's easy not to duck somebody when you don't challenge yourself. He stayed at 160 long past his due. You can't even argue that. If Floyd fought Carl Daniels, Hakkar, Allan III, etc. he'd be destroyed on these forums. Hopkins followed up his biggest win with nothing. He had an opportunity to fight Roy and he priced himself out, once again can't even argue that.

He's taking challenges (calculated ones) in his 40's because he has NOTHING TO LOSE. Everything Hop has done was carefully thought out. Every scenario is one where he won't lose as much as he could win.

I don't really want to downplay what Hopkins has done, but Floyd has done things just as impressive if not more.

You certainly make some good points about Hopkins, and I'm now down to debate Hopkins vs. Floyd as far as accomplishment or legacy goes ; because I consider them both to be modern legends and I respect the hell out of both of them.

But I will say this ; Hopkins was shooting for the 20 title defenses. He really didn't have much control over certain situations like Robert Allen becoming his mandatory 3 times, or Antwun Echols twice.

He just fought who was lined up, and in respect to him ; he beat their ass in dominant fashion, as expected.

I wouldn't bet against him. Dawson is a sucker for a right hand. At the same time I feel Hopkins believes that Dawson will be a handful because of his work rate and if Hop can't hurt him especially early then he's in for a long night.

Forgot about how prone Chad is to being hit with the right, great point. And Bernard's right hand is still as good as it ever was, IMO. Infact I'd say it's the only thing I haven't seen signs of slippage in in his past 5 fights.

I also agree on him perhaps being concerned with Dawson's youthful workrate.

If he beats Jones, I still feel he'll end up fighting Dawson or Adamek, one. Assuming they both win, I have a feeling he'll choose Chad.

But only time will tell.

Personally ; I hope he beats Roy, and they have a rubbermatch. Why? Because it keeps him active in the sport longer and I'm going to hate seeing him retire.

[street bully]

While Hopkins was reaching new heights in his career in 2001-2002, Jones was rated pound for pound #1 and was the bigger draw. ****, he's still the bigger draw, which is why even at this stage of his dead career he can still force Calzaghe and Hopkins to give him half of the pie. 60-40 in 2002 was fair, 50-50 was generous.

Jones would have prbably settled for 60-40, since there were reports of 55-45 settlement a few weeks ago. Anyways Roy is no cash cow PPV attraction, and never has been, but the fact that Hopkins would could have demanded more today gave him 50-50 shows that Hopkins did not price himself out then.

[-Antonio-]

No he hasn't please state what he has done that you could compare to Hopkins he only fought one guy who people thought could beat him. Also to say he priced himself out against Roy is an absolute joke. At the time Hopkins was very well known was coming off a few big wins, and was undisputed, and asked for a reasonable 50-50, which Roy turned down. Both were relevant at the time, and seeign that Hopkins, who had every right to demand a much larger share today since he is still relevant a top P4Per and number one at LHW, while Roy has not competed on the elite level since 2006 and gave Roy 50-50 shows you who was doing the pricing out.

They took different paths. Floyd moved up divisions more often, fought bigger opponents more often. Hopkins dominated an average division (right after McCallum, Nunn, Toney, Jones, Hearns, Kalambay, etc were long gone.) Moved up later in his career when the time was right.

Kelly Pavlik? Ricky Hatton.
Felix Trinidad? Diego Corrales
Antonio Tarver? Jose Luis Castillo
Winky Wright? Juan Manuel Marquez

Lose to Jermain Taylor? Nah Floyd beat him. Zab Judah.


How is 50-50 even close to fair?

-It was for Jones' title
-Jones was p4p 1
-Jones BEAT Hopkins in the first fight.
-Jones was more popular anyway

50-50 is bull****. Hopkins priced himself out.

[IMDAZED]

Jones would have prbably settled for 60-40, since there were reports of 55-45 settlement a few weeks ago. Anyways Roy is no cash cow PPV attraction, and never has been, but the fact that Hopkins would could have demanded more today gave him 50-50 shows that Hopkins did not price himself out then.

Hopkins agreed to the deal because he had no other offers as far as decent coin. But the fact that Jones - who hasn't been relevant in a long time - is still able to demand half from Hopkins in 2009 says it all. I don't think Hopkins felt like being generous at the last minute. But back to 2002, a 50 split for Hopkins would've been Jones doing him a favor.

[PAC-BOY]

Hopkins agreed to the deal because he had no other offers as far as decent coin. But the fact that Jones - who hasn't been relevant in a long time - is still able to demand half from Hopkins in 2009 says it all. I don't think Hopkins felt like being generous at the last minute. But back to 2002, a 50 split for Hopkins would've been Jones doing him a favor.

Hopkins would make more on a 50/50 w/ Roy now on PPV buys than he would make with Dawson or Johnson on PPV.

[SOPH~ REP.]

while there is some interest in a rematch between bernard hopkins and roy jones jr. - not everyone is interested. A few weeks ago, the two fighters reached a deal to fight in the first quarter of 2010. The rematch has taken 16-years to make. Jones won a decision over hopkins in 1993 to win the vacant ibf middleweight title. Some critics are not happy with the idea of paying $50 dollars to watch two fighters in their 40s battle it out. There are those who don't see the fight as a positive to push the sport forward. [details]

i do agree ,hopkins is lokking for final big money fight,it shouldn't be a 40/40 matchup 10 years in the making ,it should count for something,win or lose

[-Antonio-]

You certainly make some good points about Hopkins, and I'm now down to debate Hopkins vs. Floyd as far as accomplishment or legacy goes ; because I consider them both to be modern legends and I respect the hell out of both of them.

But I will say this ; Hopkins was shooting for the 20 title defenses. He really didn't have much control over certain situations like Robert Allen becoming his mandatory 3 times, or Antwun Echols twice.

He just fought who was lined up, and in respect to him ; he beat their ass in dominant fashion, as expected.



Forgot about how prone Chad is to being hit with the right, great point. And Bernard's right hand is still as good as it ever was, IMO. Infact I'd say it's the only thing I haven't seen signs of slippage in in his past 5 fights.

I also agree on him perhaps being concerned with Dawson's youthful workrate.

If he beats Jones, I still feel he'll end up fighting Dawson or Adamek, one. Assuming they both win, I have a feeling he'll choose Chad.

But only time will tell.

Personally ; I hope he beats Roy, and they have a rubbermatch. Why? Because it keeps him active in the sport longer and I'm going to hate seeing him retire.

I can understand 20 defenses. If you make enough, you're bound to face some soft touches. My point is you can't say he never ducked anybody because he stranded himself in one division for 90% of his career. Once he moves up in weight he's subject to ducking criticism. By not moving up in weight he avoids that.