In the run up to me going to see Hopkins vs Orneleas in what could be his last Philadelphia fight I decided to watch one of his early career classics. I never saw the fight before but I had always read about it. Hopkins after seeming to win the first 4 and not getting credit for a KD was dropped in the 5th and looked shaken up. However there was short time in the round and he could not do anymore damage. Round six saw Hopkins turn it up and he had Mercado very hurt and put him down but did not get the call for a KD. Then in the seventh Mercado put him down and Hopkins was holding alot but there was only 15 seconds when he got up and Mercado tried again to get him out of there. Eight, nine and ten were full of good exchanges and a big unintentional butt that put a nice gash over Mercado's eye. But at this point the fight was very close maybe dead even. Hopkins took the championship rounds very easy as he roughed up Mercado with his right hand. Hopkins out worked him late and I thought he won in a close but clear descion. Turned out a justifyed draw. But what a fight.
Yeah definetely one great fight. I also thought Hopkins won it, by 2 points giving him ther last 4 rounds. The post fight interview with Don King nad Butch Lewis after both fights are hilarious.
I've seen that fight several times, and it's one of the fights i always point to when dumb-ass posters call Hopkins a boring safety-first fighter, neglecting that he didn't hit the big-time until he was 36 and already past his physical peak. Hopkins, in his athletic prime was a beast, or as Larry Merchant would say a one-man firing squad. Anyway i thought BHop pulled it out despite 2 official kd's ruled against him and none ruled in his favor though he should have been awarded 1 or 2. And that fight was fought at an altitude of several thousand feet while Hopkins hadn't even trained at altitude!! Which might explain why in the rematch he preformed spectacularly and completely blew Mercado up in 7.
Great fight, makes me wonder why so many call me boring. He's in is 40's. Wtf do u expect. He was a beast back then. I thought he knocked Mercado down at least once if not tiwce in that fight but the ref didnt call it. I think this is one of the fights that made him. Maybe one of his best ever , even tho he only got a draw
What a fight Calzaghe v. Hopkins would have been circa 1997! Punchstat numbers would have been crazy.
For those who have never been at altitude...let me tell y ou...if you do not get accustomed to it, it can be HELL to do ANYTHING physical, I cannot even imagine boxing.