I have an ongoing pact with myself to never bet or pick against Hopkins, I don't think Ward has what it takes to make me break the oath. Oh ya, I really hate B Hop too.
Ward is so much superior over Pascal in terms of skill and versatility, it's not even funny. It's night and day. So you can't look at the Pascal fights to judge how this fight will go. Hopkins is Hopkins. A great fighter but he is 46. He'll be fighting a guy who is young, hungry and very skilled. I can see Ward making Hopkins feel like 46 by constantly staying in Hopkin's chest and just making Hopkins fight and expand energy on the inside. Then i can see Ward moving back out and circling and rushing in and making it an in-fight again. Just doing things to make Hopkins expand energy. Ward is a smart fighter. He will come in with a game plan to make Hopkins work. Once Hopkin's tank is empty, you might see him doing the things he did against Calzaghe like fake low blows, etc. Also, Hopkins is a master at mind games. He got into Pascal's head and Pascal just did not fight a smart fight. Some of it has to do with his limitations but part of it is mental IMO. I don't see Ward being affected. Ward knows who he is, what he wants and how to get it. When he sees opportunities, he will pounce. Pascal had opportunities and couldn't pounce.
I like B-Hop, but I think Ward works him over the coals. The kid's got sound fundamentals and won't fall for headgames. I think hes going to be the top of the heap for a long time to come with a very Hopkins-like career
I'm sorry but I got Ward.. too young and skilled.... he doesn't make the mistakes we see Pascal, Dawson, and cloud do... at least no yet anyways...
I'd have to favour Ward. I wouldn't put any money on it though. It took him a few rounds to work out a limited AA. Hopkins is 1000 times craftier than AA... Still, the JT and JC fights indicate what it takes to beat Hopkins. I think Ward has got what it takes to do the same thing.