Im reading on this site, that yet again, people are writing off Bernard Hopkins. When will people learn?!?! All this talk about fighters getting old overnight is a myth, the body doesnt just stop being able to do what it did, its a slow but sure decline. Some athletes appear than theyve gotten old overnight, but in reality they have lost their desire. Ive never seen a fighter with more desire and dedication to their craft than the executioner. Now Pascal, yes he's got good speed, and yes he's a decent puncher, but he's raw, makes mistakes and has questionable defence. He relies on his athletic abilities to get him through, which most of the time they will, but not against someone as crafty as Hopkins. Hopkins will make this an ugly fight, a thinking fight, mess Pascal around, and break his focus, theres no one better at this. By doing this, he will allow himself to take breathers, and stop Pascal from trying to make this a high intensity back and forth fight, in which at 46, youd have to question(even) Bhops ability to keep a pace at. If Hopkins can do this, and I believe he can and will, he wins the fight. The press conference already told me that Hopkins is in full control of the situation, and the staredown was almost like the naughty kid apologising to the teacher. Give Hopkins his dues after the bell goes at the end of the lesson, he is a truely remarkable warrior.
Pascal is tailor made for hopkins. It's funny how one win can change people's opinion on a fighter. Just look at quintana v williams 1 for example. When Hopkins beats pascal watch how quick he jumps up the mythical p4p list again. lol
I dont see how people can think Bhop can pull this fight off. You admit that PasCAL is athletic and has speed. This is what troubles bhop more than anything. Bhop can deal with sluggers and flat footed brawlers but he has trouble with speedy athletic guys, see JT and JC and also see why bhop avoided Dawson. Pascal should have very little difficulty getting a decision here against Father time.
hopkins is an atg, i don't give a **** if he fights dirty and a lot of guys don't like watching him, but he has big success for a very long time and his skill set is great, the same goes for all fighters who are boring to watch because they dominate and do the right things to win, goes for the K brothers, floyd, ward(he has to be succesful for a couple of years), pac, kessler, and this asian guy with 70 wins and yeah he will school pascal
Pac is not boring to watch:think, but Hopkins is a atg for sure, I only doubt he will be able to pull it off based on his last 2 fights. Especially the jones fight, he had a few good rounds but looked very bad against zombie jones in there, pascall fights in his hometown and is fast and hungry, I think he wins a wide Ud. I would love for hopkins to pull it off though.
Some people are prone to a romantic interpretation of Bernard Hopkins' capabilities at this stage in his career, because of a tailor made win against Pavlik over two years ago. Based on his last 2 fights, Hopkins just doesn't have the stamina to beat Pascal. He'll simply be outworked, and depending on how accurate Pascal is, probably stopped and retired. That said, I would be pleased if Hopkins did manage to win. Although boxing might suffer, because Pascal is a marketable young star with his whole career ahead. Would a loss to Hopkins derail that? :think
no of course, he is the opposite of boring, but i wanted to disclose my point about fighters who have succes for long time, i give a **** if they don't fight like in rocky balboa movies, especially these guys are very important for boxing, because they have all big mental strength to stay on top and to do everything for the win. hopkins fights at the level of his opponent, and in this case we will see a way better hopkins then in his last 2 fights. and i will say it, i'am a big fan of pac and may, and want to see the fight, but give a **** who of them wins it, because they are both for me real boxing and atg
Hopkins is also human, and has visibly slowed down in his last couple of fights (and these were against subpar opponents). I doubt Hopkin's could KO Pascal, so winning in Canada on points is also a tough assignment. People are bringing up Pavlik but factor in as well: A) Pavlik is a natural middleweight B) Pascal is more athletic, speedier, and stronger than Pavlik, so Hopkin's will not be able to bully him like he has against smaller fighters (i.e. Wright, Ornelas, Pavlik) C) Pavlik v Hopkins was two years ago D) Hopkin's last fight against a credible true LHW was four years ago against Tarver. I don't think Pascal's career will ever match Hopkin's career (at MW), but you can't stay young forever. I'm reading alot of comparisons to Archie Moore; yes he continued to box very well beating good opponents - but he still lost to the elite (i.e. Marciano, Patterson, Ali). Just throwing it out there. Just so I can be a little different, Pascal by late round TKO.
Americans are still shocked that Pascal beat their "future #1 p4p" boy Dawson! HAHA! I mean you guys seriously think that old Bhop can outwork Pascal? LOL!
Watch out for some award winning acting. BHops is looking for his next oscar in this one! Pascal TKO or UD Popkins. Times up for the old man.
If Carl Froch can 'outwork' Pacal, Hopkins will have a game plan in place to work him out aswell:thumbsup
Froch plan was high work rate for that fight. something bhop can't and never really has done. He may win but it wont be due to his outworking of pascal..