Hopkins vs Pascal

Pascal is smart. Along with his trainer they're taking nothing for granted - unlike many of Hopkins' recent opponents. They know Hops is still smart and crafty and they're going to take that away from him.

Plus they'll be very clear with the officials that Hopkins has to follow the rules. Expect head-butts and excessive holding to be penalised.

I think Hopkins will do a good job of countering Pascal early in the fight, but Jean's athleticism and fast hands will allow him to get past Bernard's defence.

You can't count Hopkins out, but this is going to be hard for him to pull out.

 

Should be a messy,ugly and (unfortunately for Hopkins) close fight. Hand speed and youth should see Pascal through and I also think he's got the composure to deal with Hopkins theatrics.

 

Yeah - Pascal fights clean enough that Hopkins won't be able to go for his whining, crying sympathy vote. And I think he'll be able to catch a slowed-down Hopkins regularly enough to take a points win.

If we're REALLY lucky Pascal will knock Hopkins out.

 

I'd love B-Hop to roll them back one more time but don't see it.

He'll be competitive and may even get the nod on some cards, but not in Canada.

 

Bernard Hopkins could get stopped in this fight. He's facing a boxer with athletic ability and boxing ability, and he has NEVER did well against these type of fighters.

 

Would it be good for him to beat an exciting young champ like Pascal so he can hold the LHW championship hostage while avoiding meaningful match-ups?

Consider his last six fights:

Rejuvenated against Tarver.
Spoiled and headbutted his way to a win over Wright.
Spoiled, fouled then faded down the stretch against Calzaghe. Still lost.
Beat Pavlik around the ring.
Fouled, spoiled and started slow against Ornelas.
Looked awful against Jones Jr, falling around the ring and fouling constantly.

I've a lot of respect for Hopkins' achievements, but he needs to retire. The Jones fight was a travesty.

 

Hopkins loses in a scrappy fight where he doesn't do enough to get the nod.

 

predict pascal inside the distance. X behind on points pulls out through injury in the champ rounds

 

:good Nice piece that. Well done Sir.

 

Hopkins will school this kid.

 

Depends on Hopkins. If his "advanced" years haven't quite taken their toll to the extent where it severely limits his capacity to do what he needs to, then he will comprehensively out box and out hustle Pascal.
If, however, the Jones fight wasn't just an aberration and indeed an indicacator of Hopkins' standing with Father Time, then Pascal will be too busy and tenacious and outworks B-Hop for a UD.

The Hopkins that showed up for Pavlik schools Pascal, the Hopkins that showed up for the Jones rematch coasts to a UD loss.

 

For me, yes.

Pascal is clearly a talented fighter but when all is said and done that's all he's going to be. I don't think he is going to go down as one of the legends of my era.

Hopkins on the other hand is. And seeing a 45 year old beat father time once more, add to his legacy LIVE and prove everybody wrong once again will mean more to me than seeing Pascal pull out an expected win.

I see your points and maybe even see whats good for the game, but from a personal POV it's B-Hop all the way.

 

Pascal by decision or possibly late stoppage.

Hopkins cannot keep producing these performances over 12 rounds at his age. The last really impressive one was Pavlik and that was over 2 years ago. Jean Pascal isn't Kelly Pavlik. He's smarter and more fearless. He won't be overawed by Hopkins like Pavlik was.

 

Hop will dig in and take him out; he knows it's his last hurrah and Pascal fights in spurts too.

If he tries to overwhelm Hopkins on workrate, well, B-Hop will counter him with sharp shots and combos that break him down.

If he tries to pick his spots, Hopkins will hold, frustrate and use his superior Ring IQ to pick his better.

Old and past his best he may be, but Hopkins would not have taken this fight if he had not devised a gameplan. I trust he will do what he usually does after a few uninspiring performances; somehow pull it out of the bag.

I like both guys and won't be surprised to see Pascal outwork Hopkins and win a pretty dull decision as B-Hop tries to survive rather than fight. But something inside me says Hopkins has taken this fight for a reason. I personally think he would've had an easier job with Dawson, whose flaws were there to see way before the Pascal fight (never understood the hype around him) but he didn't fancy it.

He fancies Pascal though. And he'll have his reasons.