Official Antonio Tarver vs. Bernard Hopkins Thread.

[MetalVomit]

I was going to sticky this ****, but 100 million isnt even enough. That's a little price-y just to sticky the thread.

[Guest]

I'm leaning towards Hopkins by UD... obviously if one of them will score the KO it's more likely to be Tarver, but I really don't think this will be a KO-orientated fight. Apparently HBO have already given it the working promo title of "Two Old Farts In A 12-Round Feinting Competition".

It might even be like Tarver-Jones I, with Tarver putting on spurts and then crying when his lazy streak costs him the decision.

[MetalVomit]

I'm leaning towards Hopkins by UD... obviously if one of them will score the KO it's more likely to be Tarver, but I really don't think this will be a KO-orientated fight. Apparently HBO have already given it the working promo title of "Two Old Farts In A 12-Round Feinting Competition".

It might even be like Tarver-Jones I, with Tarver putting on spurts and then crying when his lazy streak costs him the decision.

"this is complete disrespect, Hopkins is on the left of the screen, and i'm on the right." I truly hope Tarver loses.

[The Scientist]

I'm kinda suprised at how alone I am on this. I think Tarver will knock Hopkins on the canvas for the win. Tarver is used to hitting hard and fighting strong guys. Hopkins is just a natural middleweight and has barely to no experience in the lightweight. He is just not used to that division and will have too hard of a time adapting.

Actually, Hopkins did pretty well in the Light-Heavy division, debuting in 1988 and throughout his six fights in that division; He even knocked out Glendale Johnson. He boiled down to middleweight because he felt it suited him best, but I feel going back to Light-Heavy won't be his bane. Tarver still has to lose 25 lbs and that requires some dehydration, which will take a significant toll on his 37 year old bones. Hopkins on the other hand just has to gain 15 lbs, which will give him leverage on his punches. While Bernard's speed will take a small dive, it's not going to matter because his technique and defensive prowess will compensate for that. 'B-Hop' will not expose too many holes in his gaurd, like Jones Jr. tends to do becuase he's smarter than that.

[Chups]

I'm almost positive Tarver is 37, not 27. SO to me age isn't a big issue. Tarver has talent but not as much experience as BHOP. BHOP win by UD.

Which makes him "young". Tarver by Decision.

[The Fix]

i got tarver by ud, he is a bigger, stronger, more talented version of jermain taylor. this was the wrong fight for b-hop.

[ROSEWOOD]

I put Tarver on the left hand side, so he doesnt send me bad karma and malicious pm's like he did to Jim Lampley

Considering that Tarver had to drop weight after filming Rocky 6, and Hopkins got to bulk up, I'm going to go with

Hopkins W12 Tarver

B Hop runs all fight and finally get hit with a monster of a shot....down goes hopkins...1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and the fight is over....Winner by KO in 1 of the 12 rounds..A. Tarver...

[MetalVomit]

B Hop runs all fight and finally get hit with a monster of a shot....down goes hopkins...1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and the fight is over....Winner by KO in 1 of the 12 rounds..A. Tarver...

I think this whole weight deal is going to have a similar effect on Tarver as it did on RJJ. I heard Tarver had to move up to about 200 pounds to film Rocky 6, now he's gotta come down to 175. That cannot be a good thing. What matters, I think, is how Hopkins body handles the extra 15 pounds, if it makes him stronger and fresher, he's going to beat the **** out of Tarver.

[phallus]

i hope hopkins shuts tarver's bubble gum lips...tarver having to come down in weight is going to affect him - he's 37, he's also lazy, he fights in spots. hopkins knew what he needed to do in his last fight against taylor - step it up, i hope he does it here, a little bit of extra activity, hops movin those hands could win him a decision here

[-EX-]

Bernard needs to be active. He won't win rounds looking nice or smiling. I hope his mindset is really focused for this fight. I don't think Tarver has the power to hurt Bernard.