2014: Adonis Stevenson - Bernard Hopkins, Who You Got?

Stevenson takes this, in my opinion. One of only two LHW's I'd pick over Hopkins right now, along with Kovalev.

I voted "stoppage," but immediately thought that a decision victory is probably more likely for him.

 

I agree.
The only real serious doubt I have (and always with each fight) is Hopkins's age and if this will be the fight when he shows it.

I think that Hopkins is still able to raise his offence and have a higher punch output than he did with Shumenov, but he intentionally saved energy in the early rounds to focus on making Shumenov cautious to drop his output rate.

Stevenson fights alot like Tarver except Tarver has a better jab and no as much power in his left hand.
Stevenson isn't much faster than Tarver and their hand speed is pretty comparable.
When Hopkins fought Tarver, he made Traver miss with straight lefts and Hopkins actually won the battle of the jab. He was able to catch Tarver off balance with accurate counters and straight right.

I see Stevenson-Hopkins going pretty much the same way. The only real question is, how much older will Hopkins be and how will his performace be effected.

 

So far it's close to a 50/50 fight in poll responses.

 

stevenson wins, either early-mid roud ko or SD....

hopkins lost to dawson who is a south paw, stevenson is also a south paw, with alot more power...

also i seen stevenson training for the fonfara fight, he seems to be focusing on speed to make himself faster, andfrom what i saw he is much faster than i have ever seen him...i think he is preparing for bhop already, and wants to be really fast, he already has the power, so my guess is he is working on speed now so when he trains for bhop fight he will focus on footwork and inside game

 

I saw that and wondered who that was.

Actually, I though about stppage also, but remembered how long ago it has been since BHOP stopped DLH.
It's those flash knockdowns (Calzghe, Shumenov) that throw you off.

But you never know. Ever since Murat fight BHOP has been trying hard for a knockout.
The short right he landed against Shemenov had KO written all over it.

 

Who has Stevenson beaten? the LHW, SMW and MW era is not strong in my opinion at the moment and at LHW Stevensons best win is Dawson coming off a loss. Dawson had mainly beaten fighters alot older than him and lost when he fought a younger LHW in Pascal.
I would pick Hopkins who comes from a stronger era and is still performing

 

Interesting poll results so far.

51% for Hopkins by decision

36% for Stevenson by TKO/KO

For Hopkins, it's business as usual.

For Stevenson, it's basically a 35% chance of landing a lucky shot

 

hopkins knocks stevenson out cold

 

Goddamn... I'm regretting it already and I'm sure I'm gonna regret it more down the line. Voted for the Stevenson stoppage though I've always maintained it's a fight which BHop could win.

Stevenson is strong and fast and an excellent counterpuncher, and I think that might be enough.... against anyone but BHop I'd have no doubt, but whilst Stevenson does what he does very well, stylistically it's something that Hopkins can beat.

Well dammit - vote's cast now, Stevenson stoppage. Swore I'd never pick against Hopkins againatsch

 

:good

I just noticed BHOP by KO was +1 :yep

 

hehehe...you'd vote is safe with us..:hey:good

 

This is a tough pick. While Bellew showed Stevenson can struggle a bit with movement and be countered, Stevenson is much faster and more explosive than anyone Hopkins has fought in quite some time. Stevenson is also a better boxer than the likes of Pascal and Cloud with better movement.

My head says Hopkins won't be able to deal with the speed of Stevenson for the full 12 rounds and lose a decision. But my heart says Hopkins has not declined as much as I think and still has enough left to pull off an upset.

I'm not confident of picking a winner to many variables for me to make a solid pick.

 

I have included a 50/50, undecided option. :good

 

That fight was literally eight years ago.

 

Yes, and was Hopkins's first LHW fight since his Pro debut in '88.
He was supposed to retire after that fight but stuck around to make history as the oldest to win a championship 2 years later against Kelly Pavlik.