Bernard's win over Pavlik overrated?

I think Hopkins got his tactics spot on and fought a clever fight against Pavlik and deserves a lot of credit for beating a younger guy who was unbeaten going into the fight and heavy favourite to win.

Pavlik might have won at 160 but Hopkins would have been weight drained. I think Hopkins plan and execution of his plan were bigger factors in him winning than the weight.

 

Hell no. Most people had Hopkins being KOed. Sure there were some who thought he would outclass Pavlik but there weren't many. The biggest question for most going into this fight was whether Pavlik would KO Hopkins or not.

That's why he was a 3/1 underdog. He pretty much won every single round. It was incredibly impressive. He took another fighter's soul that night. :good

 

No.

IMO it's rated just fine,it was a masterful performance of a 43 year old over a young gun and also Pavlik wa sthe favorite.

Great performance.

 

I disagree, Great win...
Beats pavlik at any weight even at his best.
(Let's not forget how "past it" (Age wise) Hopkins is aswell.... makes up for the weight)

 

I think it is,too.I believe that Hopkins exposed Pavlik's limitations,which are numerous.Kelly can't seem to deal with angles and Bernard came in and went out quickly,landing combinations before Kelly could even respond.Bernard's attack was way too diverse for Kelly and Pavlik couldn't adapt.Kelly is a good,tough fighter,nothing more,nothing less.That's it.

 

I dont think it's overrated. Pavlik is known for being the big man on campus at 160. He was able to move up and fight Hopkins. Hopkins executed a perfect gameplan and fought a great fight.

 

Great victory, on that showing, I would have fancied B-Hop at any weight over Pavlik, too smart and even too fast for him surprisingly.

 

It's a great win but lets not forget Pavlik had to move up 10 lbs for the fight which is a massive jump

 

I definitely think the size was a much bigger factor than people talk about. Hopkins had already moved up with the help of a nutritionist to gain power and keep mobility. Pav went up 10 lbs for one fight. Where he knew he couldn't put on any muscle because he was coming back down.

And Pav didn't even look sharp at 166 for the Taylor rematch.

 

it depends how the rest of Pavlik's career turns out, Pavlik could easily be a 1 trick wonder if he doesnt get anymore big wins for the rest of his career.

 

Since Hopkins was spending his whole career at 160lb then you
may say its fair enough they are both away from their comfortable zones.

 

I agree with this. Pavlik certainly didn't look himself that night, but whether it was physiological or just Hopkins' brilliance isn't really knowable at this stage. If Pavlik proves that he isn't just the one-dimensional plodder people make him out to be - and I have confidence that he will - we might just end up looking back on this loss as a blip in the career of a great MW. If Pavlik struggles with tricky fighters in the future, we'll probably view this as the fight that exposed his vulnerabilities.