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From Donald Duff in New York
Saturday, December 3rd 2005
Former world-rated boxer Guyana's Lennox Blackmore has picked Jermain 'Bad Intentions' Taylor to retain his title against Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins in their eagerly-awaited rematch tonight at Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas. Taylor (24-0-0, 17 Kos) earned a split decision over Hopkins (46-3-1 32 Kos) when the two met in their first fight on July 16 to snatch Hopkins' undisputed middleweight crown. Hopkins seems determined to win back the crown and go off happily to his stated January 17 retirement.
However, Blackmore thinks that second time around will be the same old story for Hopkins/Taylor. "I think that Bernard Hopkins heart is going away from the fight," Blackmore said.
He's not going to be there for the boy. The boy is too young, he's too strong, and he got a lot of talent. The guy is very good.
The 40-year-old Hopkins has complained bitterly that he is getting no respect from the brash 26-year-old Taylor and this fight has been aptly billed'No respect'.
"How can you have no respect for someone who was a champion for a decade?" an obviously perturbed Hopkins asks. But respect or no respect, Blackmore gives the edge to youth over experience.
"Jermain Taylor will win again. I picked him the first time and now I pick him again', said Blackmore. Asked if Hopkins who tried to steal the first fight by coming on strong in the later rounds can win with a different approach this time Blackmore said he doesn't think so.
"If Hopkins had fought a different fight the first time he would have been knocked out and this time if Hopkins starts to fight earlier he will be knocked out, he'll get stopped, was his prediction. "If Hopkins conserves his energy the fight can go the distance," said Blackmore who seems to he highly impressed with Taylor. "The guy knows how to fight. The guy not only comes for the money, the guy comes to fight. Right now he is coming to defend his title," said Blackmore of Taylor who ended Hopkins' streak of 21 successful title defences with his upset win in their first fight.
Blackmore feels the only way Hopkins can win is by knockout.
"He has to stop him and I don't see that happening. Bernard is finished right now," said Blackmore. "Boxing is a hell of a game. When your time comes you got to go. In boxing you cannot let people pick fights for you, you have to pick your own fights. Remember Sugar Ray Leonard? Picked a fight with Terry Norris, Norris put him out. You got to pick the right fights to come back with. Come back with slow fighters.
This guy is too fast for Bernard."
Saturday, December 3rd 2005
Former world-rated boxer Guyana's Lennox Blackmore has picked Jermain 'Bad Intentions' Taylor to retain his title against Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins in their eagerly-awaited rematch tonight at Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas. Taylor (24-0-0, 17 Kos) earned a split decision over Hopkins (46-3-1 32 Kos) when the two met in their first fight on July 16 to snatch Hopkins' undisputed middleweight crown. Hopkins seems determined to win back the crown and go off happily to his stated January 17 retirement.
However, Blackmore thinks that second time around will be the same old story for Hopkins/Taylor. "I think that Bernard Hopkins heart is going away from the fight," Blackmore said.
He's not going to be there for the boy. The boy is too young, he's too strong, and he got a lot of talent. The guy is very good.
The 40-year-old Hopkins has complained bitterly that he is getting no respect from the brash 26-year-old Taylor and this fight has been aptly billed'No respect'.
"How can you have no respect for someone who was a champion for a decade?" an obviously perturbed Hopkins asks. But respect or no respect, Blackmore gives the edge to youth over experience.
"Jermain Taylor will win again. I picked him the first time and now I pick him again', said Blackmore. Asked if Hopkins who tried to steal the first fight by coming on strong in the later rounds can win with a different approach this time Blackmore said he doesn't think so.
"If Hopkins had fought a different fight the first time he would have been knocked out and this time if Hopkins starts to fight earlier he will be knocked out, he'll get stopped, was his prediction. "If Hopkins conserves his energy the fight can go the distance," said Blackmore who seems to he highly impressed with Taylor. "The guy knows how to fight. The guy not only comes for the money, the guy comes to fight. Right now he is coming to defend his title," said Blackmore of Taylor who ended Hopkins' streak of 21 successful title defences with his upset win in their first fight.
Blackmore feels the only way Hopkins can win is by knockout.
"He has to stop him and I don't see that happening. Bernard is finished right now," said Blackmore. "Boxing is a hell of a game. When your time comes you got to go. In boxing you cannot let people pick fights for you, you have to pick your own fights. Remember Sugar Ray Leonard? Picked a fight with Terry Norris, Norris put him out. You got to pick the right fights to come back with. Come back with slow fighters.
This guy is too fast for Bernard."
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