Taylor, Pavlik and Hopkins

While Taylor is younger, strong and athletic, he is just not crafty enough to frustrate pavlik. Hopkins never let pavlik get any type of fight rhythm going, and that's why kelly kept saying he felt "off" that night. Well, it was Hopkins who turned the night off for him.

 

Because JT fights flat footed and that meant Pavlik had no trouble locating him. JT is always going to be in front of you. On the other hand, Hopkins is a defensive master who used amazing lateral movement to always stay out of Pavlik's ideal range.

Hand speed gives Hopkins problems. That made Hopkins weary against Taylor because Taylor posessed the hand speed to get off combaintions at any moment. With Pavlik, he didn't have that type of speed where Hopkins couldn't see them coming. So he was able to counter Pavlik's style much more effectively.

 

I think that Taylor really wanted to prove himself that first fight. He found out that not too many fighters can stand toe to toe with Pavlik and trade punches. After that first KO on Pavlik, I think Taylor just shot his conditioning. He wanted to go in for the kill, but Pavlik just wasn't letting it happen; while slowly gaining the edge with jabs and later is right straight.

Hopkins did not try to just stand and trade, he just wanted to win. He was able to use his footwork and move to the sides to throw off Pavlik easily. He was willing to just win, and never really went for a KO in the fight, cause he didn't have to.

Pavlik maybe had 2 rounds in that fight, and that generous to him.

Anyway, Hopkins brought a different gameplan. I think that Pavlik maybe beat Taylor by 2 rounds in the 2nd fight, and because Taylor was fighting smarter then. Taylor's problem was he stood right in front of Pavlik, which Hopkins almost never did during that fight.

 

Styles makes fights...And as you've noticed, the "Triangle Theory" doesnt work in any sports...let along boxing.

The same can be said for Mosley, Cotto, Margorito. Cotto beat Mosley who KO Margorito who gave Cotto hell...Crazy ****, just the way it is!:yep

 

Different weights was also a factor I feel.

 

I cant believe that wasnt said until 4 posts in.
When i saw the thread i thought it would be saturated with the 'styles make fights' line.

 

Even at 160, Hopkins still schools Pavlik.

 

Some cant seem to grasp the concept.

 

You got to love boxing....:yep.

the "Theater of the Unexpected"...:deal

 

And atleast 95% of MW's of ALL TIMES.

 

It's my opinion that it takes a very specific skill set to beat KP:

A very good jab;

smart head movement;

Really smart lateral movement;

Really fast hands and feet;

Great stamina;

And enough power to seriously hurt him.

If you are lacking any of those things, you're in for a long night, or, quite possibly, a short night. Taylor lacked the head and lateral movement. He also lacked the power, and the stamina. He hurt Pavlik in the 2nd round of their first fight, but that was more Kelly's stupidity than JT's power. Once Kelly survived that 2nd round debacle, he showed Taylor very little respect. In the second fight JT ran out of gas, and consequently that big right to the body in the 11th turned the fight.

We must also remember that BHop had the good fortune to fight a sick and injured version of Pavlik. That has been verified by independent parties such as Thomas Hauser who was in the locker room before and after the fight. Kelly at 100% would have made a fight of it. He probably would have won 3 or 4 rounds, and kept a few other rounds close.

Bernard lacks none of the attibutes I mentioned, and he put on the best performance we've seen from him in years. Way back in '07 I predicted that KP would lose his zero to a slick boxer at light heavyweight. I sure as hell did not expect it to happen against BHop in 2008, but that's boxing for ya.

 

I blame it ALL on you Boo.:bart

Hopkins read the blue print you laid down, and look what it cost us. Maybe from now on you'll learn to keep a leash on your expertise when it comes to MY FAVORITE FIGHTER!!!!

 

That blueprint include the elbow injury and bronchitis?