What on earth made Hopkins think that he won the fight?

This is pretty much it, once he had some time to reflect I think he accepted the result and gave Dawson his props..

 

He's still got some of the best footwork in boxing today even at 47 and his defence is excellent even now.

 

Agreed. How did you score it?

He's still got his legs, and he's pretty adamant that they're the first thing to go on a fighter. I was suprised actually, Dawson wasn't that much faster than Hopkins was. The muscle seems to be ebbing away slightly, but at 47 that's expected.

 

I've seen this with Mayweather ever so slightly, particularly when he is skipping.

 

His offense is what really seems to have declined, he relies way too much on the lead right now then he used to in years gone by. As for his footspeed/movement/ring generalship/defence/craft, it's superb for a fighter at this stage...he may have slowed down in those areas but they're still elite level skills he maintains, the way he was nullifying Dawson's attempted combos was amazing but as I mentioned before he doesn't quite have his elite level offensive skills anymore.

I had it 117-111, though with the amount of close rounds 116-112 would have been a fair card also, 118-110 if you were being harsh on Hopkins.

 

I noticed it on the last 24/7 for the first time. Other times he looks in great shape, it's odd. He should cut out the burgers and crap. In your mid 30's you start losing the ability to get away with cutting corners.

I had it 116 - 112. His left hook worked when he through it, but he's so reliant on his right atsch He's been like that for years now and it shows against someone with solid two handed offence and tight technique. Dawson impressed me, I love what he can do with his right hand.

Even the Hopkins who fought Taylor seems like an offensive beast compared to this one. He doesn't seize offensive play and he'll pay for it when he fights guys who have good activity.

 

Aye, agreed.

Still in great shape for his age, but for a guy like Mayweather, it could all just crumble in one bout.

 

The only rounds I could give hop was 2,5, and 12...and that's being generous.