Cloud pushes for Hopkins fight

Boy best be careful what he asks for....

 

Hopkins would school this kid IMO. He is a talented fighter, he just aint fundamentally sound enough.

 

Interesting fight. I'd love it to happen and it would be great if both these fights were on the same night. It'd sell really well and be great for boxing but I think Hopkins might price himself out of it.

As for the fight itself, I dunno it's a close one. I can see why many will feel that Cloud will get ripped to pieces and Hopkins will school him but I'm not sure. Even though I thought he beat Pascal, I wasn't really too impressed with Hopkins last weekend. Yes he was technically good but he's always technically good. Pascal was terrible and still managed to put Bernard down twice and sneak a draw. By the time this fight could get made, Hopkins would be even older and yes age is a factor and I feel Tavoris Cloud would probably get the better of him.

I'd like Pascal/Dawson and B-Hop/Cloud on one night in early 2011 though please! :good

 

Cloud, despite punching hard and in volume, stands in front of his opponents too much. He loved Johnson staying at mid to close range, but Hopkins will just step around him all night.

 

But Hopkins going down so easy against Pascal won't have put him off.

I wouldn't mind seeing him and I'd fancy Hopkins to "school" him tbh but you never know...Plus Hopkins would still be the oldest world champ in history which would be awesome and deserved.

 

This fight makes sense on so many different levels I never really considered it before this but I really hope it happens.

It gives:
a) a chance for Hopkins to become the oldest belt holder
b) it's a great night of boxing in one of the most historic weight divisions with the top 4 boxers against each other
c) everyone will get a fair chance. If Pascal beats Dawson again, people will rate him. If Dawson avenges his loss to Pascal he'll be given more credit again. If Hopkins beats Cloud he'll go down as an even more genuine all time great. If Cloud beats Hopkins he'll be a star in boxing start to get major recognition.
d) it makes money for all involved. If promoted right I think this could be sold as a massive event with Goldenboy and HBO behind it.

 

Cloud has his flaws but he's no joke. I really like his attitude, he's undeterred and goes to work. Having said that he's made to order for Hopkins. To pressure Bernard and be successful you have to be able to fight him the way Joe did. The only way Cloud would win is if Hopkins fell apart on the night because he is starting to develop "sweet spots" which is only natural. I could see this going the way of Hopkins vs. Johnson.

 

It should happen. I was in awe when I looked at the LHW champions Hopkins COULD have faced.

Took the hardest fight on, what a warrior. I genuinely do think he could unify if he had the time.

 

Cloud I think is more of a volume fighter than a power puncher despite his record. He can really pump the punches out in a serious way for a light heavy. Problem is he rarely sets up an attack, he rarely shows much subtlety, its fairly crude stuff and that won't get it done. If he was able to set that pace against Hopkins he'd have a decent chance but thats very unlikely indeed, nobody has ever fought Hopkins and maintained their usual work-rate let alone a high one.

 

Hopkins is at an interesting stage. Against Pascal i saw a Bernard who was trying to go back to the fighter he was in the 90's and early 2000's. When Hopkins was a aggressive fighter and tried to knock your head off or give you a real beating. I think at some point he changed and decided he needed to preserve himself and made the transition into slowing the pace. I think he was to far set in that mode, that's why he couldn't get the stoppage and it took him a couple of rounds to get into that role again and fight that fight where he's setting the pace and going to the body a lot, therefore taking more risks. Incredible that he's still able to get that "executioner" out.

 

Hopkins wasn't interested in Dawson because of money. I've always felt Hopkins has had Dawson's number - he's not focused or committed enough to maintain a gameplan from beginning till end.

 

He got a cut of the gate and Showtime money. He made more against Pascal than he would against Dawson who has ****-all fanbase.