How bitter will HBO's Hopkins-Pavlik rebroadcast be?

Why would you be happy to see a fight that should have taken place over several years ago?


Why wouldn't you be happier to see hopkins fight a legitmate prospect such as Chad Dawson?

 

The Pavlik vs. Hopkins fight was a joke with no impact of Pavlik's future, re:

I've been a lurker on this site and enjoy reading all the comments. I respect divergent opinions. Nevetheless, I admit I'm confused about today's state of boxing vs. years ago. Case in point is the recent Pavlik vs. Hopkins fight.

First, I believe Pavlik was outboxed by Hopkins. But, what did Pavlik lose ? A perfect record, which few fighters achieve. He did not fight for his middleweight belt or a title fight. He did put lots of money in his bank account, and at 4 to 1 odds, if I was a betting man, I may have betted against myself.

Second, these catchweight fights are similar to wrestling matches. Here, Pavlik moves up two weight classes from middleweight to Lt Heavy weight for a non-title fight ? He never fought at that weight before, I think ? What happened to tune up fights and fighting up through the ranks in a certain weight class ?

Third, if Hopkins was fighting for the middleweight belt, I think the Pavik performance factor may have been different.

Fourth, De La Hoya was stopped by Hopkins, yet the naysayers have little problem paying to see him fight PacMan or other ridiculous bouts that again are non-title fights. And, no one says De La Hoya was exposed or a bum when he had to stop fighting due to a body shot by Hopkins.

Finally, these professional fighters are at such a higher level that it is not beyond reason to make these fights sparring matches or a day at the gym for them. They can hedge on output, hold back on knockouts, and do just about anything to let you think it was a true fight. It is snake oil and smoke and mirrors with suckers paying to see these stupid fights.

So, this fight sustains Hopkins as an aging fighter who can fight Jones or Calzaghe (sic) again for more money. It sustains these guys for a few more years. If they were such greats why not fight for the middleweight belt or a championship bout ?

I can see no gain for Pavik for taking this fight other than a big pay day and being assured of future fights by the match makers.

I also think that Pavik will be back and clean up the middle weight division. He is young, hits hard, and needs a few adjustments.

These are solely my own personal opinions.

Cheers,

KMcD:hi:

 

Hopkins doesn't owe HBO ****. They didn't make Hopkins fool Hopkins made Hopkins. If thats's the case I guess RJJ, Oscar and Tito owe HBO as well.:-(

 

pretty bitter i must say

 

Most of those PPVs did solid numbers though.

Of course, GBP has a lot of clout over at HBO so that helps, but I'm sure the executives at HBO can overlook the lack of action in the fights as long as the money flows in.

 

Very true. Hopkins has NEVER been the HBO house fighter. Tito was the showcased fighter when he met Hopkins, and Jermaine Taylor was the HBO up and comer when he won two decision over BHop. Lederman gave every possible round he could to Joe C in their fight. I distinctly remember Merchant ripping into Hopkins for fighting Morrade Hakkar, who was a mandatory, yet he NEVER went after Jones Jr. that way for some of the weak mandos he faced.

Hopkins cost HBO a lot of money by upsetting Trinidad and he made sure everyone knew it. I don't think they have ever forgiven him.

 

HBO wasnt very bias in the fight all, in fact I think they gave Hopkins alot of credit. Except for maybe the beginning when Merchart may some remark about wake him up when something happens. Even on the 12th round Lampley was pretty much giving Hopkins his props by saying he's doing what he wants with Pavlik.

They might not like Hopkins but there was no denying to any broadcasters there who was being schooled!

 

You know, i just checked the schedule and the duration of the replay is 1:15. Usually, it's only 1 hour. That most likely means they will show Hopkins after fight scene along with perhaps his chat with Pavlik. I think HBO recognizes how special this fight was and are going to give the viewers what they want. So i think the original poster got it completely wrong.

 

The broadcast (as i remember) really wasn't that biased against hopkins...

Were they probably rooting for Pavlik? Sure. Most of america was. Pavlik is more exciting and a win would propel him that much closer to stardom.

Were the making excsues for Pavlik? I didn't feel that way at all. They gave Hopkins all the credit in the world I felt like.

 

So Hopkins isn't "old"?

Try watching the entire broadcast again with on open mind.

They took the time to do an introduction and showed Hopkins' staredown after the fight including post fight interviews. The last time they did that for a PPV replay was DLH/Mayweather. And i don't recall them doing it for any other fight. They showed Hopkins lots of respect because they realized how special this performance was. Usually, they only show the fight itself and the reading of the scorecards which lasts less than 1 hour.