Comments Thread For: Pascal vs Hopkins Contracts Finalized, Signatures Coming

[Dave Rado]

It's not cherry-picking, when you are a 40+ faded legend who is well past-his-prime.

Hopkins is a living legend, these young guns should just stand there and let Bernard hit them, just out of respect

The point is that if Hopkins becomes the lineal champion, he won't defend against the top contenders, and that will be very bad for the division.

[ShoulderRoll]

Fighting the Ring champion isn't cherry picking.

[IMDAZED]

Lemme guess...PPV?

[Dave Rado]

Fighting the Ring champion isn't cherry picking.

The point is wasn't willing to fight Dawson when Dawson was the Ring's and the concensus no. 1, despite having been called out by Dawson many times, over a period of several years; and is only willing to fight Pascal because he thinks Pascal's style is made for him.

Plus, when he was the no. 1 Light Heavyweight himself, he didn't fight a single top contender who was ranked at Light Heavyweight coming into the fight, so he'd be highly unlikely to fight a top contender if he won the lineal crown now.

[English puncher]

I really believe this is a great clash of styles, and will make for a good fight, as bad as hopkins looked against jones I think this will be a really good fight....win or lose I hope bernard does hang em up though after this!

[Bhopreign]

The point is that if Hopkins becomes the lineal champion, he won't defend against the top contenders, and that will be very bad for the division.

I think he will, he's been stealing money for a while now, as long as the price is right he will fight them.

[Bhopreign]

The point is wasn't willing to fight Dawson when Dawson was the Ring's and the concensus no. 1, despite having been called out by Dawson many times, over a period of several years; and is only willing to fight Pascal because he thinks Pascal's style is made for him.

Plus, when he was the no. 1 Light Heavyweight himself, he didn't fight a single top contender who was ranked at Light Heavyweight coming into the fight, so he'd be highly unlikely to fight a top contender if he won the lineal crown now.

How is Pascal made for him.

[ßringer]

So where are all the Hopkins haters now?

[Dave Rado]

How is Pascal made for him.

He doesn't really have the fundamentals, especially defensively, his workrate isn't enough to be a major problem for Bernard, he doesn't really have that much lateral movement, and Hopkins is wily enough to figure a way to counter-act his unorthodox style. Anyone who loses to Froch has to be fairly limited.

I don't think Pascal is better than Dawson, I think it's a case of styles making fights, plus Dawson wasn't at his best that night. It's analogous to the highly orthodox and skilled Forrest losing to the highly unorthodox Mayorga because of the style match-up, plus in the first fight, Forrest under-estimated him.

[LeadUppercut]

He doesn't really have the fundamentals, especially defensively, his workrate isn't enough to be a major problem for Bernard, he doesn't really have that much lateral movement, and Hopkins is wily enough to figure a way to counter-act his unorthodox style. Anyone who loses to Froch has to be fairly limited.

I don't think Pascal is better than Dawson, I think it's a case of styles making fights, plus Dawson wasn't at his best that night. It's analogous to the highly orthodox and skilled Forrest losing to the highly unorthodox Mayorga because of the style match-up, plus in the first fight, Forrest under-estimated him.

I am a big Bhop fan, have been for years, and I think that he will beat Pascal.....

..... but, I gotta mostly agree with Dave on this one.

Every sporting contest boils down to a style/strategy matchup, and boxing is no different. I was disappointed with Dawson, he is a better fighter than Pascal, and I think he would win a rematch.

Pascal is limited, and I believe that Hopkins probably already has a plan to beat him. Even though Hopkins showed no interest at all in fighting the slick southpaw Dawson, he is a master-craftsman, he will negate Pascal's speed, and take him to places he didn't know existed.

And yes, it will most likely be pretty ugly

Pascal is the man for taking this fight. He can't win..... either, Bernard gets old and is done, or Pascal gets beat up by an old man.

And I see Dave's point about stalling the division.....

..... it may not be in the best interests of boxing for Bernard to win, and I agree that he has been selective - albeit past his prime - but I will be rooting for him, and I just can't call a 45yo fighting the lineal champ cherry-picking.

Best of luck to Jean Pascal too, and big props to him.